The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-26

bodys, his long boots as heavy, and his soft hat
as slouchy; yet he lacked some OF the accom-
plishments of his comrades. He could not swear
as glibly, he was constantly lapsing into good
English, and he could not drink the ordinary
whisky of the town without grimace. He had
contributed to the gift mirror, and full account
of it's reception was given to him.
'An' what does Billy Wilk think o. that?" the
narrator concluded.
why, that Ags a woman, after ALL" said Bill
~, land therefore sensitive about her personal
appearance. What we want to do is to convince
her that no joke was intended. Now, isn't that so.
boysp
Everybody said something that meant yes.
II move" said one, that Billy Wilk be ap-
pinted conviucin' committee He's the only
chap in camp that dar go into the Spread Eagle,
jes now. 'thout casn hissef in biler iron. Oh,
Ag won't hurt him--we all knows she's soft on
Billy"
Nonsense" Billy interposed
'Taint no nonsense. nuthur. When Ag keeps
a eeprit bottle for Billy Wilk, jes' cause he's got
a faint hearted stummc, it's a case O. clear gone
on Billy Wiki So Billy's thu man to send in to
squar us with Ag. Ehl Say aye if I'm talkin'
wise"
roar of "aves" was decisive. Billy entered
the Spread Eagle on his mission of conciation
Ag had not changed her attitude in the slight
est Her back was still against the bar, and her
sharply bent elbows rested on it for support
Her face was yet hard with anger, but tears
were trckling down it. and she could not dash
"Wal, Billy Wiki" she said harshly. twas
you with the gang in maxim fun O. mel"
u was with the boys in getting that glass up
from Frisco, certainly" he said. but it wasn't
done for sport at all. 1t was meant for sober,
serious testimonial. They hadn't the slightest
notion of a Joke"
She took down large lamp from the wall,
thrust it close to his face, and eazed eagerly into
his eyes.
''See hyar, Billy WIKI she said, 'if you look
me squar in the face and tell me so. III believe
We. Thar amt nothin' / wouldn't take on your
word o honor, less you said wasn't the home
Hest woman we ever seed, an likely We mought
even make me think yed somewhat come across
an onsightlier critter than | be il We tried Ye
never lied to me, Billy. Ye never told me that
ye cared snap o yer fingers for me. cause We
don't. That's squar as a die, considerin' that
We know love. every hair in yer head, Billy
Wiki"
Billy had known it, as she said, but nothing of
the kind had been spoken between them,
and he did not find her blunt avowal comfortable
to receive.
ooh, ye needn't blush" and she put the lamp
back in it's place 81 don't. cause Amt
ashamed O. lovin' ye. Eff We told me ye cared a
durn fer me. then We might blush either fer yer
first lie to me- er fer shame that ye fell in love
with Ag O. No Go. Shake, Billy"
His hand, though hardened to toll, was smaller
than the one that gripped it.
Were good friends, at all events" he said.
''You kin bet."
She took the only bottle of good whisky in the
house from drawer under the bar, half filed
two glasses. clinked her own against his, and
emptied it in half the time he was occupied in
similar occupation. How are you gettin' on
with Kunnel Dineley's daughter Nell9"
Billy choked on the last swallow of his whisky
and Ags hand came down with helpful thump
on his back.
II Colonel Dingley- daughter Nell" he
sputtered.
''Them's the biggest O. the words. Take
glass o. water. Ye didn't think / know'd it.
Swaller some more water. Thar amt thing
ye do, Billy-thar amt an of dust ye lay
by, or a headache ye have, button off yer
clothes-that don't know it. Did ye s'pose that
gals photograph could be in your room an not
light onto itl Be We chokn yeti Mebbe it's
emoshing makes you 30 red. Wal, / axed ye
bout the gala"
1--WE no objection to telling you. Ag" He
drummed on the counter uneasily, however,
while she leaned over quite composedly from
the other side. II reckon | am in love with
Colonel Dineleys daughter, and l shouldn't won
der il she'd guessed it; but that is all, upon my
word. 1t isn't strange that a fellow should let
his heart go to the first pretty girl that comes
into rough settlement like this--and she-well,
Ag, her hair is so yellow, her eyes so blue, her
cheeks so pink, her form so fragile, and alto
gether--"
$50 different from the only other woman in No
Go"
II didn't say that Az"
"Well, it's burned sight more descriptive
than what ye did say. Go on, Billy"
I've been doing some work for Colonel Ding
ley, you know, over at the new mill and she's
in the Office good deal. That's where I've met
her. and-that's all there is of It."
He had no intention of telling Ag how Nell
Dineley, during the two months she had been
at No Go. had completely enthralled him. how
she had at times seemed to invite him on until
he all but avowed his love, and again had re-
PEELED him with Sudden reserve. He did not
fancy the mistress of the Spread Eagle for q
confdante, but she was not to be put off,
~ A