The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-19


horses" went on Billy, taking up the noIe,
and giving it bitterly caustic tone, ana
his father owns over two lnousahc acres
of land-it don't make any difference IL ne
did jump a poor widow-w oman.s clalh'
Just so he's got the land-and he's been
away to school, and he knows better than
to waste his time plowin' corn and Savln'
up his money for the sake of any one hes
in love with. His father will give him a
farm and plenty of stock, when he's ready
TO get married, and he can afford TO have
ideas above doin' that. know" he con-
tinued, disregarding Eva's efforts to ln-
terrupt him, and stopping his walk-EVa,
frightened at his vehemence, had raised
herself in the hammock, and was holdlnS
on by the meshes-'1 know your mother
wants you to throw me over Tor MN; she
never has liked me since-slnce you began
to, and she thinks Pm not good enough LOT
you, which God knows l amt; but L am
better than he is, and will swear at him,
out of your hearin'; but L want you to
know I will, even if he is one or your
dearest friends. Ive got ideas above
bein' clodhOpper, too; ana IL penn
faithful, and steady, and hard workln',
and lovin' won't win you, Pll carry 'em
.out. Rancho life is glorious and free, and
the best man wins. on can go anu nave
your best friend, if you want him; but
I'll not go down on my knees to him, nor
put up his horses for him, and Pll swear at
him all please"
Just then some one rode up. 20, it's
Mr.. Phillips :" exclaimed Eva, in fright
ened whisper '.He said he didn't think he
should come over tonight. What shall l
do Don't go away, Billy; you are all
wrong" and she put out her hand with
OBTAINING, almost an implorlng gesture, as
she turned to speak to Mr.. Phillips, who
had dismounted, and was approaching
them, with the bridle-rein over his arm.
i fknDVUN
her, muttering to himself: ''I'll swear at
him, curse him and if he says anything
to me I'll shoot him." He passed the house
absently, and as he came opposite the open
window he heard Mrs. Fuller'svoice, saying
to her husband, Eva told me he was COM
| ing either tonight or tomorrow to ask her
| to marry him :" and Billy struck out over
the prairie, not caring what direction ne
| took.
| His heart was full of rage and bitterness.
| He thought for time that he would steal
| back after they had all gone to bed, put a
few things together, and start for the graz
ing grounds; then he felt that he must see
| Eva once more; and when he had some
what recovered his equanimity he decided
| to do nothing rash. He knew the old farmer
was on his side, and he had Eva's promise
he remembered that harvest was coming
| on, and that it would be rather mean to
| leave the old man in the lurch, with no
| hands to be had in the county. He had
never met this Phillips; had only heard of
him through Mrs. Fuller and Eva, and had
seen him once or twice at distance. He
would be sensible and strong; he would do
| his best: and if Eva married Philips for
his money, why, he would be fortunate in
| losing her.
| So he turned and went back to the farm
house. But when he saw that there was
| still a light in the front room all his wrath
| tn Enaw
late; for though, in his excitement, he had
not noticed the lapse of time, yet he had
| watched the moon go down, and he reaS-
| oned that Phillips must have received en-
coura cement, or he would not have stayed
| so long. He could not get to his room with
out disturbing Eva and her companion,
| and he determined to wait about the out
buildings until Phillips had gone, and then
carry out his first plan. He would not even
try to see Eva before he started away to
resume his old and favorite occupation.
He wandered aimlessly about, taking his
last look at the dim outlines 0f the house
| and stable and tie tall, slim frame that
supported the windni!i, and at the grana'
ries and corn-crib. 1t was in the shelter
of the last low, broad building that he had
| asked Eva to marry him, the November
before. He remembered exactly how it
had happened: how he had been sorting
out some of the best ears for seed-corn
|
fitfully about the corners of the buildings,
and the wind whistled sharply through the
open boards. He recalled how Eva's
bright smile had lighted up the little cave
he had made at the door of the crib, when
she came TO ask for few ears to parch-
she always parched corn on the day OF
the first snow-and how her presence had
shut out the cold and storm, as the golden
corn piled high around them, had seemed
to separate them from the world. He
thought of how happy and full of joy they
had been, and how light-hearted they had
laughed when finally, forgetting all about
her errand, she had gone to the house only
to come out to him again. But now as he
looked in through the little door where she
had appeared that November day to make
him happy, there was nothing but dreary
emptiness, and the damp odor OF moulder
ing corn.
Billy turned away with a sharp pain
He was not n sentimental fellow, but he
really loved Eva, and the contrast between
that afternoon and now affected him. 81
never want TO smell that smell again." he
thought, and congratulated himself that in
the life he was going to live he never
would. He looked towards the house: the
light was out, and he might reach his
room without meeting any one. SO he
struck across the yard, setting his lips
firmly. Just as he came opposite the sta
bile he saw some one leading horse out
and then stop, apparently to tighten the
girths.
Billy wanted no interview with Phillips
and stepped out of sight behind the build
ing. but not before he had been noticed.
HHey, what are YOU prowling around
here for?" demanded the dim figure.
"It's none o. your business" replied
Billy, coming out again into view.
The man scanned him closely in the un-
certain starlight. "Ah, young fellow, il
YOU belong to the house, it's all right. Blu
you'd better get inside as quick as Goo
almighty III let you, and cover your heat
with the bedclothes; and don't bulge unit
you're called to breakfast"
Billy was not hypercritical, but he coul'
not help thinking that this was rather coars
, language for a man who knew what wa
due to others, and who had ideas abov
corn and cattle. He was in no mood, how
ever, to allow anybody to speak so to him
much less Rober. Phillips. So he politel,
invited him to go to place where COW
boys very often ask their enemies AM
friends alike to go.
'sDon't give me any o. your chin. youn
chap, or I'll knock your head off, )" and h
started toward Billy menacingly.
, Billy swore great oath and drew hi
. revolver, which he was never without
keep offv' he cried. Pll let dayligh
, through you if you come another step.
q The other, evidently not believing he wa
armed, continued to advance. Billy neve
:. felt sure whether he was prompted NOR
by his jealousy and despair than by hi
: anger at the fellows insolence-fOr hi
;. life among the cowboys had taught hir
to consider anything like threat of bodil
injury as deadly insult-but he fired hi
> revolver.
! His victim threw his arms wildly in tt
air, and fell heavily to the ground. Bill
4, was stunned for moment by what be ha
done. He had always heard such deed
! made light of, but he had never been a
}; actor, or even a witness, in the brOils tha
O gave rise to them. The reality was som
: how much more terrible than he had eve
. conceived it. my God, Pve killed bin