The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-10-21

refuse to come altogether, because we
had no women there, and we had heard
the people of Junta talking of her quiet,
modest ways. But no, she never thought
of herself; she only thought of the nights
at Bowler's, and wanted to save US from
the end she had seen often enough in
two years at Junta. At any rate, the
piano came, and Parker had it sent in
sort of half way measure to her house in
Junta, where she and her mother lived,
and we were as welcome as the light
there always.
"'You have no idea of her music
They told me at concerts in Paris that /
was hearing the finest musicians in Eu-
rope, but they were not like Kitty. They
played for our money-Kitty played for
our pleasure; it makes 80 much difference,
he added, as his fingers drummed accom-
paniment to the air he whistled.
"'One night Parker and were sitting
in corner at Bowler's when he heard
Greaser-a Mexican you know-that
Parker had refused to play poker with
the night before ask who the senarita
was that had taken the spirit out of Par
ker.
''We both started forward instantly,
but as the man was evidently ignorant
of our presence, Parker checked me with
fierce look in his eyes that showed that
the spirit of his former days would be
very apt to put different ending to the
conversation if it continued in that tone.
Kitty" came the reply as if that set
tied the matter.
"Kitty? All, your American names
are SO strange! Kitty But she is beau
tiful, is this Kitty. I met her in the
Gulch road this afternoon this side of
Trocalara. Carambal how she can ride!
The Parker has good taste; drink to
my future acquaintance with her."
GAS he raised the glass to his lips
Parker stood behind the chair and whis-
pered, eff you drink that liquor, by God
it will be the last drop that shall ever
pass your lips!'
1.-The next morning they sold the Mex
leans horse and traps to pay for burying
him and for the damage done, and Park
er lay in bed at Kitty's with that in his
side you would not care to see.
''Kitty never knew why he fought, and
never even looked reproach. 1t was
not much-I had seen him cut much
worse in the stockyard at home-but
somehow he did not get well. The weeks
slipped by, and each time I called Kitty
would say he was little better and a
little better and little better, and oh
yes, he would be back next week; but
next week came so often without Parker
that at last, when the time came for
changing pastures, l went with the herd
and left him still at Junta.
'I would haye willingly taken his
place, look you, if had known the re-
suit, but perhaps the other way was the
best, after all; for now Kitty has two
men to serve her. he added meditstively.
when 1 got back to Junta, in o.
tober, Parker was quite recovered, I
found out at the ranch, but was in town
that evening, SO 1 went quietly into the
house to surprise them. AS 1 crossed
the hall heard Parker's voice. Could I
have mistaken the house. Was it really
his voice heard? Yes, he was telling
Kittie how he had broken his three year
old colt to side saddle, so when she came
to Trocalara she must give up her old
pony. knew then why Kittie had kept
him there SO long; he had lost his reason
and she wished to keep him from know
ing it.
''But no. I stood still and listened,
and heard him tell her how he had always
loved her, apparently going over an old
story to her. My God! would as soon
have told the Virgin loved her. And
then heard her voice:
"When | am your wife-"she began.
cit ali flashed on me in an instant
then. I slipped noiselessly out, and if
they heard "Odd Tricks" gallop on the
turf i. was not because his hoofs fingered
too long there.
81 can't remember how passed that
night. The revelation had been so sud-
den that the words seemed to be written
in my heart and to be carried thro' every
vein with each beat. "When I am your
wife" Wsat would the result be9"
Our Kitty was to be bis wife? Could I
still stay at the rancho when I am
your wife" and I loved herl
''The next day went into Junta and
saw them both. told Parker how the
herd stood, and how the shooting had
been in the mountains, but I never had
the courage to look at her.
'After a while she went to the piano
and played "home;" then she came and
sat down by me and said: 81 have told
Parker will go home with him; I will
try to be sister to you."
Il believe I only stared at her, and
then wrung Parker's hand end went out.
"'He married her next month, and
and-Trocalara has been heaven ever
since.
"'I never knew what Christian was
before she came; you know We have no
faith in Texas In things we can't draw
bead on. But when she read me the
story of the Scribes and Pharisees and
Christ, felt ashamed to be like thoss
Flatheads and Greasers in the New Tes-
lament who did not believe in him; and
now | feel sure of knowing some one in
heaven, for Kitty has promised to find
me there
81 forget great many Of the incidents