TUR ETGENE WEEKLY OVARI».
THfîtNDAY. 4ANVÄRY 2. 14Mte«
t
CHAPTER 11 —(Continued.)
— That be Mowed,' mys be, only be
•aye It different. 'I'd like to know
what business such a sawed off ba»
to come and tell a full grown man
like me to abut up hts mouth. He’d
ought to stxy In a little mun's place
and talk Mi ay to ¡>eoplo hie own size.
When bo roum shooting off Illa bazoo
to a man that could awaller him whole
without loosening hl» collar it's lm-
pldeucr; that's wbat It la.’
“‘Well, aa a favor to me?’ I says.
“•Well, if you put It in that way-I
don’t want to la* small olaiut It.'
“80 Arizona gms up to Jones and
sticks out bla band. 'There's my hand,
Jones,' be says. 'I'm mighty sorry J ou
told me to aliut up my mouth,’ aaya be.
“'Ho am I,' says Jonea heartily, not
taking In the sense of tbe words, but
feeling that it was all In good inten
tion. Bo that was all right, and I
stood In with the management In grent
shupe for fixing up the fuse so pleas
ant. But it didn't last. They say noth
ing lasts In this world. There's aome
pretty solid rocks In the t'oeur d'Al
ene. however, ami 1 should like to
wait around and see If they don't bold
out, but 1'11 never make it. I’ve beeu
tn too much excitement.
“Well, the next thing after Jonesy
got established was that bls niece
must come out during vacation and
pay him a visit. ‘Jeeruaaletn!* thinks
I, ‘Jonesy’» niece!* I had visions of a
thin, yaller. sour little piece, with
mouse colored hair plastered down on
ber head ami an unkind word for ev
erybody. Jonesy told me uls>ut her be
ing In college, and then I stuck a pair
of them nose grabts*r specks on the
picture I can stand most any kind
of a man. but If there's anything that
makes the tears come to my eyes It's
a botch of a woman. I know tbey
tnay have good qualities aud all tbut,
hut I don't like 'etn, and (lint's the
whole of It. We gave three loud
grains when we got the news In the
bull pen. And I cussed for ten mln
utes straight, without re|s-atlng mv
on>e. «!,.->. it to Ml ,,ut ,lla< ,l“'
ineinls-rs of the tsainl rolled out our
way the day the girl had to Is» sent
for. and Jonesy couldn't break loose,
and your uncle was elected to take
the buck boa rd and drive twenty miles
to the railroad I didn't mind the go
Ing out. but that twenty miles tsick
with Jonesy'» niece! Bay. 1 foamed
like a soda water tiottle when I got
into the liull pen aisl told the boys
my lock.
“'Well.' says Kyle lambert, 'that's
what you might expect; your alna have
found you out.*
“'No, they ain’t; they've caught me
at home as usual.' says I. 'Well, t'll
give that eastern blossom an Idea of
the quality of this country, anyhow'
Ro I toga myself up In the awfullest
rig I could nml; strap]»«! two ca'trldgo
belts to me, every hole tilled, and a
gun tn every bolster; put candle grease
on my mustache mil twisted the ends
np to my eye winkers; stuck a knife
in my hatband and another In my isvot;
threw a shotgun and a rifle In the
buck boa rd and pulled out quick
through the colt pens ts'fore Jonesy
could get his |M*epa on to me.
“Well, str, I was Jarred witless when
1 laid my eyre on that young woman
I’d bad my mind made up so thorough
aa to wbat she must la> that the facts
knocked me cold. She was the sweet
est, handsomest, healthiest female I
•ver see It would make you believe tn
fairy stories again Just to look at ber
Rhe was all the things a man ever
wanted tn thia world rolled up tn n
prlae package Tali, round and soople.
limber and springy In her action as a
thoroughbred and with something mod
est yet kind of daring tn ber fata that
would remind you vf a good, honest
boy lied, white and black were tlie
colore she flew Hair and eyes black,
eberks anti lt|»e red. and the rest ef
ber white. Now. there's n pile of ¿If
ftowuce tn them colors, when you say
•red.' for Instance, you ain't clean«!
up the subject by s sight
My top
knot's red. but that wasn't the color
of her cheeks. No; that was a color
I never saw before nor since. A riw
would look like a tomater alongside of
’em Thru, too, I've seen black eyes
so hard and shiny you could cut glass
with 'em Aud again that wasn't her
style The only way you could get a
But l»»n of what them ryes were like
would t» to look at 'em; you'd remem
tier 'em all right If you did. Seems
like the real laird was kind of care
less wheu be built Jonesy. but when
he turn«! that gtrl out ho played
square with (tie fambiy.
“1 ain't what you might call a man
that's easily dlsturtwd in his mind, but
1 know I says to myself that first day.
’If I was ten year younger, young
lady, they'd never Ing you back east
again* ties, man! There was a ttme
when I'd have pulled the country up
by the root» but I'd have bad that girl!
1 notice I don't fall In love so violent
aa the years roll on 1 can squint my
eye over the cards now and say, ‘Tea.
that's a beaut'to I band, but l rerkon
I'd better stay out.* and lay 'em down
without a sigh, wber»-as when I was
a young feller If I had three aces In
night I'd raise tbs rest of the gathering
right out of their foot leather or get
ranch I at it I'anally 1 got caught at
<L for a aaa cwulda't run the mlat
“ Tut your foot ou tbe lines an-l most as go'Ml looking for a man as
they'll make That's the main and she was for a woman. TTsey made a
only art of driving <m tbe prairie— not pair to draw to. I tell you. loping over
to let tbe Hues get under the horaee’ the prairie full of health and young-
feet. AH tbe rest is Just sit still aud liens! You wouldn’t want to see a
prettier sight than they made, and you
look at the scenery.’
"She held my hat for a windbreak, could see it at any time, for they
and I got my paper r»l[>e together. were together whenever it was possi
And then—not u match! I searched ble. Loya was so happy it made you
feel like a boy again to see her. She
every pocket, Not u lucifer. That la
told me in private that it was wonder
I
got
for
being
funny
more of what
ful bow the air out here agree»l with
and changing my clothes, Am! tbeu her, aud I said it was considered
•he hapi>ened to think of a lx>x she mighty bracing and never let on that
had for traveling ami fished it out of they proclaimed their state of m!i»d
her grip. ,
every lime they looked at each other
“ 'Young lady,' I says, 'until it cornea
to lie your bad luck—which I h<q>e I reckon old Smart Aleck Jonesy was
won't ever happen to l>e very much in the only party In the township who
didn't understand. Kyle used to put
long with the kind of luck I have.
love w It 11 a man who wou't play back
"Well, I wns plntnb dlagustwl with you'll never pro|>erly know tbe paugs vinegar In his coffee aud things like
the fool way I'd rigged myself up. but, uf a tuau that's got all the materials that, and if you'd ask him. 'What's
fortunately for me, Iiurragh, the sta to smoke with except the tire. Now. if that fellow’s name that runs the cloth
tion man, catne out with the girl. I I have a chance to do as much for you ing »tore In town?* he’d come out of
bls trance and say ‘Yes' and smite
There's Iteddy, from your ranch, now, ( some time I'm there.'
very amiable to show that be thor
ma'am.' says tie. ami when he caught ; "She laugh«! ami crinkled
sight of me 'What's the matter. Red? eyes at me. 'All right, Mr. Saunders oughly admitted you were right.
’’Well, things went as smooth and
Are the Injuns tip?"
When that olxlurate man disdains ine I
easy as bobsledding until ft came time
"Darrngh was a serious Irishman, I'll call for your help.'
for Tx>ys to be moseying back to col
and that's the mournfulest thing on
" Tbe plHce for the man that would
top of the globe, and, besides, he tie- disdain you is an asylum,’ says I. lege agalu.
"Tbeu Kyi» took me Into bls confi
lleved anything you'd tell him. There ‘Aud the only heli» I’d give you would
ain't any George Washington strain In t>e to put Idin there.’ She l>lush«l real dence. I never was lean astonished In "Jicd, you’re a hrick You're the betl
my stock, so 1 proceeded to get out of nice. I like to see a wouiuu blush my whole life, and 1 didn’t tell him
fellow alive,’” eay» Kyle.
so. 'Well, wbat are you going to do
trouble.
It's a trick they can’t learn.
out to be too late, for wbat must Kyle
'* 'They ain't up exactly,’ says I. ’but
“But 1 s>-e she was put out by my about it? Buys I.
do but get chucked from his horse and
"He kind of groaned and shook his have his leg broke near the hip. You
It looked as If they were a b'etle on the easy talk, so 1 gave her a pat on the
rise, and. being as I had a lady to look Ixu-k and says: 'Don’t mind me, little head. ‘I dunno,' suys he. 'Do you don’t want to take any love affairs
out for. I thought I’d play safe.'
girl. We fellers see au eighteen carat think she likes me. lied?* I felt like on to the back of a bad horse, now you
"The color kind of went out of the woman so sehlom that It goes to our saying, 'Well, If you ain’t got all the mark me! There was no such thing
girl’s cheeks. Eastern folks are scan heads Tltege wasn't no offense meant, traits but the long ears I miss my as downing that buy when he was lu
dalous afraid of Injuns.
and you'll be foolish If y<)L put it guess,’ but I made allowances, and his right mind.
•ays J: 'Well, about that I don't think
"‘Perhaps I'd better not start?' aaya there. Itet's shake hands.'
"Now, here was a hurrah! Loys, she
I
she
“So she laughed again and shook. I I ought to say anything. Still, If I had dasn’t cry. for fear of uncle, and Kyle,
“ ‘Don't you l>e Heart, mlns.' says mean shook. It wasn't like handing •nly one eye left 1 could see plain Ae used the sinfnlest language known
Darrugh 'You're all tight aa long aa you so much cold fish, the way some ; that ber education's finished- She don’t
to the tongue of man. 'Twas the first
you're with Risl he’s the toughest worneu shake hands. Aud Loya and want any more college, that girl don't*
tlm» I'd ever beard him say anything
“Think sot? says he, bracing up
proposition we've got In this part of me, we were full perda from 'late.
much, but he made ft clear that it
the country.’
"I made one mure bad break <>• the Aud then by and by they went out to wasn't because be couldn't.
rkte. for Jonesy wss good to the girl.
** 'I’m obliged to you. Darragh.' says home trip.
“ ‘Wbat will we do. Red? What will
I. Ha meant well, but bell's full of I " 'Jonesy will 1« powerful toad to I'U say that for hlui. H» was willing
we do? »ays he.
to
du
suythlng
for
her
tn
r»»««».
ac
them people. I'<1 have given a mouth’s b « j yon.' sars L
“'Now.' says L ‘dou't bile over like
wages for one lick at hltn.
“'Joneay? nays eke.
sxirprto»d cording to bis views But Kyle wasn't teat, because It's bad for your leg.’
"I stepped up to ber, with my hat •Jotnwy? Oh. 1« that what y»u call in them vteww; he was out of the pto-
"He ciMnted the leg
ture as far •• husbands went.
tn my hand. 'Miss Andre«,' says I Vncle Albert?
" Go on and tell tn» wbat we cea
(she was Jonesy'» sister's child*, *tf
"They
came
lsu-k
at
sunset,
vbe»
“‘Well, It does souietisae» haf f s
to.' says he.
Uie whole w»rld was glowing red th»
••'Wheu you ask m« that, jeu’v«
you come along with mo 1*11 guarantee that way,* aaya I. aud then my ant!
you u safe Journey. If uuy harm George Washington blood rose again. Mine as they were I reached for the pulled the rtght bell,’ Bays I. Til tell
reaches you It Will Is» after one of the *You see, he was kind of lonesome otrt field glasses and took a squint at you exactly wbat we'll do. I go for
liveliest times In the history of the there at ¿rat, nml we took to calling them. There was no harm in that, the doctor. Savvy? Well, I bring
for they were well la-haved young
territory.’
back the minister at the same time.
him Joneay to cheer hltn up and tuaka
folks One look at their faces .was Angevlne, be lose« the Jersey cow over
“At this she langited. 'Very well,' him feel at home,' I «ays.
•nough.
There
were
three
of
us
In
•ays she, ‘I'll chillier It. Mr. lied.*
in tbe canebreak, and uncle and Ange
•**Oh,’ »ays she. And I reckon she
“‘His mum» ain't Red,' puts In Dar didn't feel so horribly awful abmit It, the bull pen Bob und Wind River vin« g > hunting her, for not «ven Loys
ragh. solemn. Ills nium-'s Saunders. for after looking straight toward the Smith und myself. We’d brought up is a<e high in uncle’s mind alongside
We call him Red I mm - iiiiho uf his hair.’ gulf of Mexico for a minute suddenly a herd of calves from Nunley's ranch, thit cow. The rest is easy.’
aud we were taking It easy. 'Boys,'
" 'I'm sure I ls-g your pardon,' says she bust right out and hollered
" 'Red, you're a brick. You're the
It says I under my breath, 'they've made
Miss Loys, all of a (luster.
best fellow alive,’ says Kyle, nearly
seems that Jones cut a great deal of the riffle '
"'That's nil right, mn'ain. No dam grass to a swl|>e when he was back
squeezing the hand off me.
"'No,' says they, ami then everybody
age done at all,’ says 1. 'it's useless home lu his own street It’s astonish-
“ 'I've trl«l to conceal It all my life,
had
to
take
a
pull
at
the
glasses.
for me to try to com-enl the fact that Ing bow little of a man it taken to do
but I knew it would lie discovered
"
'Well,
I
’
m
glnd,
’
says
Smithy,
and
my hair Is n little on the auburn. You that In the eant. We had an argument
some day,' «ays I. 'Well, I suppose I’d
mustn't mind what Darragh says. once on the subject. ‘It's Intellect does dnru my buttons If thut old hardshell's better break the news to Loys.
We've had a go»sl «leal of hot wapth it.' says Sliver Tompkins. 'Oh, that's voice didn't shake. ’They're two of as 'Twouldn't I h » any more than polite.'
er lately und bls bruins have gone It. eb?’ says Wind River Smith. ‘Well, nice kids as you'd find in many a
" 'Oh, Ix>rd ! I wonder if she’ll !>•
wrong. Now hop In and we'll touch I'm glnd I'm not troubled that way. weary day,’ says he. 'And I wish 'em wllllug? says he.
all
the
luck
in
the
world.'
the breeze' Ro I piled her trpnk In, I'd rather have a forty-four chest than
" 'No reason I shouldn't turn an hon-
" 'No do I,' says I. 'and I really think
and away we flew.
a No. X head any day you enn tlml In the liest we could do for 'em would be est dollar on tbe transaction, I'll bet
"Bud and Dandy were a corking lit I the ahuanac.* And I'm with Smithy.
you a month's wages she is,’ says I.
tie teain. They’d run the whole dis This knowing so much It make« yon to shoot Jones.*
He wanted to do It, thinking I was In
slzz?'
says
Bob.
he
“
'Man!
Won
’
t
tance from the railway to the ninth sick ain't any lietter than ts»1ug so
earnest, but I laughed at him.
if
us
old
codgers
if you'll let 'em and I never Inter healthy you don't know nothing, be- And you can't l»lame
"She was willing all right-«ven
we had a laugh at that, although it
nldes living «qutov miles leas fun. An- was huc I i a powerful serious matter ts anxious. There's some women, and
men, too; for that matter, who go
other thing about the eastern folk« ts the youngsters.
through life like a cat through a back
they're so aot in their views, and It
" 'left go out and meet ’em,’ nays I. alley, hot caring a cuss for either end
don't matter to them whether the And away we went. They wereu't a
or the middle. They would have been
fact» lienr out their ld«-s or not.
particle surprised. I suppose they
" 'Here, take n cigar,' says one of thought the whole universe had stop content to watt. Not so Loys. She
tbe bonrd of directors to me a little l>ed to look on. We pump handled wanted her Kyle, her poor Kyle, and
fat old man, who bad to draw In hl» away and laughwl, and Loys she she wanted him quick. That's the
breath before he could ctom his legs - laughed kind of teary, and Kyle he kind of iMMtple for me! Your cautious
'them cigarettes ’ll ruin your health,’ looked red In the face and proud and folk are all the time falling down
says he. Mind you, he wns always happy nnd ashamed of himself, and wells because their eyes are up in the
kicking and roaring about Ills liver or we all felt loosoned up considerable, air. keeping tabs so that they can
■tummlck or some of Ills works. I'm but I told him ou the quiet, 'Take that dodge shooting stars.
"Now. I had a minister friend up in
a little over six foot three In my lH«>t» fool grin off your fare unless you want
town. Father Slade by name. 1 No. he
when I stand up straight, nnd I stood I'm
J-iuw to drop the moment he was not a Catholic, I think, They
up straight us the I.ord would let me secs you.'
called him 'father' because It fitted
down
at
that
little
man.
and gaaed
“Now, they only had three days left
'Pardner,' nays I, *1 was rala«l on to get an action on them, as that was him. Ills church had a steeple i on it.
cigarettes When I was two years old the time set for ixiys to go back to anyhow, so it was no maverick, Just
what particular kind of religion the
I used to have n pull at the tiottle college.
old man had I don't know, t>ut I should
and then my cigarette to aid digestion.
"Next day they held a council ho say be was a homeopath on a guess.
It may l>e conceit on my part,' I says, hind the lilg bam. and tkey call«! In
'but I'd rather tie a wreck like tue I'ncle Red—otherwise known as Big Ito looked it. 'Twas a comfort to see
than a prize fighter like you.' They're Red Haundera or Chant« Neechee Red, him coining down tbe street bis old
queer. You’d think that that little fat which means 'Bad Heart Red' In Sioux face shining In his white hair like a
man would have noticed the differ«oca lsngusip- and doesn't explain me by « shriveled ptnk apple In a snowdrift
God blessing everything In sight—good,
without icy pointing tt out to him
dum algtit to
the lieneflt of hta t-ad or Indifferent. He had something
"Well. I don't have to luMtttou that vslualUe «dvlre
pleaMUt to say to ail. We was quite
lays «tiered things np '•«■eiaaiiwubto
" •Skip.' ••»• L •Fly for town and friends, and every o»re tn awhile we'd
around the ilianta S m bee and rki» get
married «rvi «.me lark and tell have a chin abtrat things.
Ity Gee! Wbat a diving into wane* Janes* abont It It's a pesky sight
“'Ara you k«H>tng straight. Red?
gana ami a fetetang oat
«(roarer arguiuaot tv tail him what
cloth«» there was! A»A trading of you kav» done then wl»at yo«*r» *>tng be d ssk when we parted.
•Tn.' I'd say, Tm afraid you'd no
u»»ful coat» and IM»* fur «to w but
to to.'
tice a bead bere and there if you slid
<!«-»w-«t1ng »Ilk h*i»ta.awl
•They eenldn't qntte «gr«e with rtot ruur eyas along the «<lge *
thing»' And what a hair retolteg and Tttey t hi-tight It was sneaky
“ 'Well, keep aa etralght aa you can:
fared A straight Uns and tire keen whlaker trimming!
'"So U U,' says I. The flrat art of
Jump hltn me all right wties» I'm going
"But Kyi» w»a ti» man te»w> rhe go war te understanding how to naak» a don't giro np trying, my boy.' he'd
tell ma, mighty earneet and I'd feel
s»sne place, although I one loaf witb In And It was right It sk>aiM be »o. grand sneak
If you don't want to
the neit mau ou occasion. No we If ev»r t wo young
were born take my advice you can wait* ITtat aaham«! of myself clear around the
corner
tulaaed most of the gulleya
to make trouble for each »whar tt waa dkLn't hit 'em J tint right either
"I knew the old man would do me
"The pouleo were snorting anti pull Kyle and Loys
“ 'What will we wait fort says Kyie a favor If tt could l>e done, so I pull«!
ing grana, the bucktsxrd tswnclng
"A nice, decant fellow was Kyi»».
“ 'Exerrlae and the kind you won’t out easy In my mind.
behind 'em like a rubtwr ball, and wo Nothing remarkable, you ««>ld say, take when you get aa old and as sen-
"First place, I stop(>ed at the doc
were crowding Into the teeth of the and that was one of bls beat points. elble as me
You're taking long
uorthw»M<t wind, which matte it seem Ilowaotnever. he bad « b«a-1 that chance», both of yon; but It's Just like tor's. b«-aus«> 1 felt they might fix
as if we were traveling l(k> per rent could do plain thinking a pair of playing cards, you might as well put up the marrying business some other
lietter than a Dutch clock would ahouldere that dlarouragrd frlvoltng. all your money on the flrat turn, win time, but if h leg that's broke In the
show.
• nd he was as «»piaro a pl««» of fnr- or lose, as to try and play system. »1'1’ef Joint ain’t set right you can see
a larg-- dark complected hunk of trou
" 'Gisslness gracious.' say» the girl, nlture as ever came out of a factory. System» don't work
In faro nor love af-
'do you always go like thte In thia More n that, be bad quite a little edu fair« nor any other game of chance. ble over the party's left shoulder for
country? And aren't there any roads? cation. an*«l his money, never r*t Be gone. I'ut your marker on th« the rest of his days. The doctor was
“'Why, no,' aaya I. 'Hiker amt I more ttian g<aai nature»! Ioad«l. and grand raffle In other words, take the out. so I left word for him what was
snapped the blacksnak« over the po he could ride anythlug that had four first borer to town anil get married. wanted and a> be ready wheu I got
tiles' ears, and they strung themselves leg« from • sawhorse to old tiger TYn chan«»« to one Jonesy will have the back and pull«! for Father Slade's.
Tbe old gentleman had the rheuma
out like a brace of coyote«, nearly Buck. «h»> would kick y»mr both fe-»t laugh on you 1-rfore the year la out.'
tism, and he gr»»«D«i when I come tn
pulling the bucklHiani out from under out of the sturnq« and reach around
“ 'I don't think you are s bit nlc» to Rheumatism's no disease for people
us 'Kometimsa we travel like this,' I and bite you in th» mall o< the back
day. Red.’ bsvs Ix»ya.
who can't swear.
toys. Ami as for roads, 1 despise 'em. •o quick that the t>oys would be polling
“'He'» jMk-iis.' aaya Kyle.
“'How are you. my boy? says he.
You’re not afraid, are you?
his front hoofa <»ut of y.»ur fram» b»
" That's what I am, young man.' Tra gla<! to see yon. Here am I. an old
“ 'Indeed I'm not 1 think it's gF»- for» you'd rea’I’e that the rantef bad
toys I 'If I had ten years off my
rlons Might I drtveF
begun Nice horee Buck 11« like to shoulders and a little of the glow off man, ulpi>«l by the leg and much
“ 'If I can smoke.' says I, then yon eat Joneay up on» inorotag before
wanting to talk to somebody.'
my hair I'd giro you a run for your
can drive ' I’d heard a'-mt young wo Nllrer six I nie could get to ttie corral
"I paaaed the time of day to him,
•Iley that would leave yon breathless
men who'd been brought up so tender Ixwd. the aoiiuda made my bloal nm
but felt kind of blue This didn't look
that tobacker smoke woukl ruin their «»Id! old Buck «queallug Ilk» a boar at th» wind up.'
like keeping my word with the kids.
“ 'I think yonr hair Is a beautiful ! really hat«! to say
morals or sone-thing, aud 1 kind of pig In a wolf trap, and Jouear vail
auytbing to the
color.
R«l.
’
aaya
Ix.ys
'Many
a
wo-
old mau. knowing his disposition: still.
wondered If she was that sort
ing. 'Help! Murder! Poller" Even man would like to have tt.'
" 'That's a tiargatn.' says she prompt. that did not cure Jon«» from «ticking
I felt I had to. and I out with my
'■ *Of course they would.* I answered, •torr.
'But how you're going to light a cigar his nw »here It wasn’t wanted
•But thay don't get It. Ptu foxy. I
in thia wlud I don't see'
Why, ««c*
But. thunder. It wonld
" 'Dear, dear” «ays he. 'The hurry’
" flgnretts,' MVW I. 'And if you take me a long white to tell you all am.’ fltlll. I was touch«! in a tender and skurry of young folks! How Ml«
•pet. That young woman knew Just
would kindly bold my bat until I get that happen«! to June«
the right thing to aay. by nature. it seems when you get fifty years
oue roll«! I'll take It kind aff you.'
•Ntoe thing that didst hurt Kyte 'Wail «hat are you v.tong folks going • way frocn it and see how little any-
“'But wbat about Ute bursvu* says rqy to th# eausslga ”*• tt>»< b» wub
tblog counta ! Fur all that, 1 thank
« to? I MM threw
she
I
I will!
Cod,* says he, that there's a little red
left in my blood yet, which makes me
sympathize with them. But the girl»
people object, you say?
"1 made that all clear to him. The
girl’s always all right, father,’ says 1,
and as for the man in this case, my
word for him.'
"Now. it ain't Just the right thing
for me to say; but, seeing as I’ve nev
er had anything In particular to be
modest about, aud I'm proud of what
the old gentleman told me, I'm going
to repeat it.
“ ’Your word is good for me. Red.’
says he. 'You're a mischievous boy
at times, but your heart aud your head
are both reliable. Give me your arm
to the wagon.'
•Tbeu I felt mighty sorry to think
of lugging that pour old man all that
ways.
** 'Here,' says I. 'Now you sit down
again, Don't you do anything of the
sort. You ain’t fit.'
“He put his hand on my shoulder
and hobbled his weight off the game
leg.
“ ‘Reddy, I was sitting there think
ing when you came in—thinking of
how comfortable it was to be in an
easy chair with my foot on a stool,
and then I thought, "It the Lord
should send me some work to do,
would I be willing?" Now, thanks be
to him, I am willing and glad to find
myself so, and I do not believe there’s
any work more acceptable to him than
the union of young folk who love each
other. Ouch!’ says he as that foot
touched the ground. 'Perhaps you'd
better pick me up and carry me bod
ily.'
"8o I did it, the old housekeeper fol
lowing us with an armful of things
and Jawing the both of us, him for a
I
fool and me for a villain, She was a
strung nil ruled old lady, and I wish I
cue Id remem l>er some of her talk. It
was great.
“Ws went around and get the doc-
tar
“ 'Hoo!* says he. Ts it as bad as
that? I winked at Father Slade.
“ 'It's a plenty worse than that, says
I. 'You wou't know tii.- half ef it tlU
you get down there.'
I will? So up he goes, grindlne
his teeth.
•• ‘I wish you every happiness,* be
grunts.
“ 'Won't you forgive me, uncle?* begs
Loys.
•• 'Some other time: some other
time!’ he hollers, and he pranced out
of the bouse like a hosstyle spider, thtx
maddest little man in the territory.
"Loys bad a bard time of it until
Kyle got so he could travel, and they
went up to the Yellowstoue with a
team for a wedding trip.
"Tlie rest of Loys' folks was in an
unpleasant frame of mind too. Th?y
scut out her brother, and wbl!e I d
have took most anything from Loy»*
brother, there comes a place where
human nature is human nature, and
the upshot of it was I planked that
young man gently but firmly across my
knees. Suffering Ike. but he was one
sassy young man! Howsomever, the
whole outfit came round In time—all
except uncle and me. lie used to grit
bls teeth together till (he sparks flew
when he saw me. I was afraid he'd
bust a blood vessel 1:1 one of them fits,
so I quit. I hated to let go of the old
ranch, but I'm pretty well fixed—I’m
siqierintendent here. It’s Kyle’s ranch,
know.
That’s his brand—the
, you ___
queer looking thing on the lift hip of
that critter, over the vented hash
knife. Loys' invention, that is. Shs-
says It's a cherublim, but wo call It
the ‘flying flapjack.’ There's n right
smart lot of ls-ef erittfrs toting that
signal round this part of the country.
Kyle’s one of the fellers that rise»
like a setting of bread—quiet and gen
tle, l>Ut steady and sure. He’s going
to the state legislature next year.
Twon’t do no barm to have one honest
man in the outfit.
"Now, perhaps If I'd married som»
nice woman I might have k*»l 1,000
steers of my own and a chance to
make rules and regulations tor my fel
ler citizens—and then agalu I might
have took to gambling and drinking
and raising blazes »nd bruks my poor
wife's broom handle with my hard
head. So I reckon we'll Let it slide as
it is. Now, you straddle that cayuse
of yours and come along with me, and
I'll show you some rattling colts.**
CHAPTER III.
EDDY’ was on ths station plat
form. walking up and down,
looking about him anxiously.
We caught sight of each other
at the same,time.
‘TH, there said he and Jumped for
me. “Gad-dog your little hide!" he
crl«i as be put my right hand in line
for a pension.
I thought 1 was book-
ed
> without saying goodly tc
yxr.
nt got the note I pinned on
yo<- i ickT
•Hut of course we had to tell him.
and lie was tickled, Funny what an
later»-.! everybody takes In theeo hap
pening«. He wanted all the details.
“'By Jove.’ says be. 'the man who««
feelings ain't the least dimmed by a
broken leg—horse rolled on him, you
said; splintered It. probably — that
man Is one of the right sort. He’ll do
to tie to.’
"When we reached the ranch the
boys were lined up to meet us. 'Hur
ry along!' they call«!. 'Angey cun'
keep uncle amused all day!'
"So we bustled. Kyle was for t)c'
W< , there's time for a chin be-
married first and then having bls
fore f e choo-ehoo starts. Thought I'd
set, but I put my foot down flat,
had gone long enough now. and i be ea.ly, not savvying this kind of
wasn't going to have him crlpplng It traveling a great deal. Darned if you
all his life. But the doctor worked ’ ain't growed since I saw you! Getting
like a mau who g ‘ts paid by the piece, fat too! Well, how’s everything? I
and In lees than no time we were able didn't say nothing to the other l»oys
about pulling my freight, as I wanted
to call I.ors In.
"Wind River Smith spoke to get to to go sober for once. You explain tc
give the bride away, and we let him ’em that old Red's beud ain't swelled,
will you? Seems kind of dirty to go
have It.
"We’d Just got settled to business off that way. but I'm t>ound for God's
when In comes Angevlnc, puffing like n country and the old time folks, and
buffalo.
‘For heaven’s sak«*. ain’t Bomehow 1 feel that I must cut the
you finished yet?’ says he. 'Well, you budge out of It. 'Nother thing Is I'm
want to be at it, for the old man ain't superstitious, as you may or may not
over two minutes behind me. couiftig have noticed, and I'believe if you try
fast. I took the distance In ten foot the same game twlcet you'll get Just
stei>s. Just my luck! Foot slipped as different results as can be the sec
when I wns talking to him, and I ond time. You heard how 1 hit it in.
dropped a remark that made him sus the mines, didn't you? No? Well,
picious—I wouldn’t have done It for a that's so. You ain’t seen many peopb
ton of money—but It’s too late now out on the flat, have you? Hum! I
I'll down him and hold him out there don't know principally where to be
If you say so.'
gin.
Y’ou remember Wind Rivet
"Weil, sir, at this old Father Sl:»de Smith's pardner that the boys called
stood rtght up. forgetting that foot Khadder, because he was so tliln? Nice
entirely.
feller, always willing to do you a fa
" 'ChlMren, be ready,’ says he. nnd vor or say something comical when
you least expected it. Had kind of a
be went over the line for a record,
“ 'Hurry there!' hollers old Bob from style with him too. Yes. sir, that's the
the outside, where be was on watch. man. Well, him and me was out in
'Here comes uncle up the long coulee!’ the Bend one day, holding a mesa of
" 'What are your names? says Fa Oregon half breeds that was to be
ther Slade. They told him, both red- •hipped by train Bhoctly, when old
'Bing.
Smithy comes with th» mall. I-etter
“ 'Do you. Kyie. take this wocnaa. for you, Shaddre.' Mys Smith and
Loys, to have and keep track of. coms passes over a big envaiope with wads
bell ar high water, ber betn and as of sealing wax ail over ti. Shadder
signs firn ever?—qr eucb a matter— reads bls letter and folate tt up. Then
Mys he. all la ou» breath. They both he take» a look over th» country—the
kind of a look « mau give» wheu he s
Mid they did.
"Thlato flew till we cam» to th» thlnktng hard. The« Mys he, 'Red.
ring There waa a bitch. W» bad take off your text' I guns IL Smithy,
plumb forgotten that Important artl take off your hat.’ 'All right.’ says
cte. For a minute I fwt stingy Than Smith, but you toil ms why or I'U
I <««««! my salt for ■ mean old loUg «Mk» th» shirt off yvu to square
things.'
bom and dived Into my box.
"'Here, tak» thia" I says. Tt was
" Boy«.* says 8hadd«r. Tin Lord
my mother's?
Walford.'
“ 'Oh. Red. you mustn't part with
“ 'Lord Heilford? hollers Smithy.
that? cried Loys, her eyes filling up.
•You'd lietter call >omet>ody in to look
"‘Don't waste time talking. I put at your plumbing. What you been
through what I tackle. Hurry, please, drinkin', Shadder?
father.'
" 'Read for yourself.' says Shadder.
“'Has anybody any objection« to and he banded him the lettar
these proceedings? Mrs he.
"Wlsh't you could have seen old
" 'I have.* «ays I, 'but I won't tnen- Smithy's fare as he read it.
He
tlon 'em. Give them the verdief
thought hl« pardner had tieen cut out
“ 'I pronounce you man and wife of his herd forever.
I*t us pray,' says be
“ 'It's the Gcal's truth. Red.’ says he
" 'What« that? screecbes Vncle slowly, ami he had a sideways sm; ••
Joaesy from the doorway And then on his face as be turned to Shadder
he gave us the querreat prayer y<»n 'Well, sir,’ say» he. 'I suppose congrat
ever heard lu your life. He stood on ulations are In order?
ci;,- t s- and i aw,-»| chunks out of the
“Shadder’e band stopped short on
air wbi e he deilvere»l it.
its way to the cigarette, and be look«I
"He feeiued to have It in for me in at Smithy «• if ba couldn’t believe
par;, car Y»to villain! You rascal' what be saw.
You rev.headed rascal! You did Ma!
“To hell with 'em? says he as sav-
I know you did!*
age as a wildcat «nd he Jabb«l the
“ Uh. uncle.' says I. forgive m»r irons in and whirl«! his cayuse about
With that I hugged him right up to •tj one toe. beading for the ranch.
me. and he filled my bosom full of
smothered language
(Continued Next Week.)
" 'Gheese it you little cuss.' I whis
pered In his ear, 'or Pll break every
rib in your poor old chest? I came in DKPONITORS »H» NOT
NEED TH FIB MONEY
on him a trifle, just to show him wbat
1 could do If I tried.
York, Dec IS.—Although to
“ ' Nuffr be wbeere«. Unit! 'Nuff!' day was ths expiration date of most
“ Go up and congratulata 'em,' I of the alxty-day withdrawal notices
whispered r^a ri.
• I required
■
- -,
___ _ savings
_____ ». banks at the
by the
I height of the October panic, scarcely
~T * X» V MT»
•Oorb! Ti
• depositor called for bls mosey
E