The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-11
Isss~tsa ~ ssss.4. copyrighted 1891
4 COWBOYS STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
A STORY. By M. E. PINKNEY.
Author of .The School naam of Good Luck.

And the quarrel was ell about Tom Lonergan,
whom Beth was scarce nearer loving than was
VIII himself only that he, in his blind jealousy,
eould not see it, and she, with her angry prioe'
would not explain. For Tom Lonergan was the
only son of one of Colorado's cattle kings, man
whose herds ran his wealth up into the millions;
while VIII was only young lawyer. struggling
20 gain footing in Denver, his income largely
made ND of hope. And Tom, though coarse
Of manner and unprepossessing OF aspect,
could enhance his attentions to his favored lacy
friends by lsAshness of expense that was pos
itively sickening to impecunious VIII, as ne saw
the torrent of books, flowers and bonbons that
suddenly began pouring into the Griffith parior.
The happy son of Croesus, moreover, frankly
boastful, declared his intention OF establishing
his bride, when he should marry, in style OF
splendor calculated to astonish all Denver; while
for more than a year now Will and Beth had
been planning when they might afford the mod
est little suburban cottage, beyond which their
widest dreams had never dared venture. No
wonder if she was tired of waiting for so poor
lot, nor that she should wistfully consider the
brilliant future Tom Lonergan could give her.
True, she had never limited WEAKNESS OF the
long engagement nor could VIII accuse her OF
openly encouraging the richer lover, but there
were Lonergan's flowers alwaysfresh in the par
Tor.
al am tired of seeing the tracks of that golden
calf, he petulantly remarked.
IF you mean the flowers, / think they are
very lovely tracks, and I'm not tired of them IN
the least, Beth good naturedly retorted.
Nor of the calf itself, very evidently" ex-
claimed Win, with increased irritation.
al don't think it is very nice OF you to
speak of Mr.. Lonergan in that way" playfuily
reproying.
'You cannot yourself speak of him as gen.
tleman."
HE is too much of gentleman to say hate
ful, sarcastic things of people behind their
backs" flashed Beth, growing angry in turn.
.'And sufficiently gentleman, considering all
his beef, to have all the girls in Denver running
after him" 1t was a vicious innuendo to throw
at her. as he realized the instant the words wsre
out of his mouth; but he had wrought himself
up to furious temper and would not retreat
syllable.
''What do you mean to Imply by chat remark
the girl demanded, with icy calm, although he
81 mean that your Irritation with Lonerean,
considering that you have been engaged to me,
has gone altogether too far" cried WILL holly.
because have said nothing before, you are
not by any means to suppose that | have been
blind. have seen it ALL Heaven knows what
your motive has been. It may have been a
childish vanity to exhibit your grand conquest
to the envy of the other girls, or, perhaps, it
was" here Will hesitated, turning little pale
lit may have been simply the deliberate cal
culation of mercenary woman. / won't insult
you by assuming that you could, by any posi-
bic chance, fall in love with the man."
After had once owned to falling in love
with you it could hardly insult me to assume
anything as to my weak susceptibility cried
Beth with angry sarcasm.
by which you mean me to understand that
your engagement to me was a folly of which
you have repented," said poor Will, with tragic
calm.
''Your penetration does you credit, she tartly
acquiesced.
sGooe-by!" cried he making for the door
"Good-by, sir!" said she, taking up Lonergan's
bouquet and cody smelling the roses. !.
And so they parted.
AS Will entered his room that night he found
o letter thrust under his door. 1t was from the
manager of cattle company with whom he had
been corresponding trying to obtain situation
as cowboy during the approaching spring round
up for young friend at the East for whom the
doctors had prescribed life in the open air.
letter received that morning had announced that
the lad had gone with surveying party to New
Mexico; and now it appeared there was an
opening for the proposed cowboy, who was re-
auested to report for duty on the coming 14th OF
May. It was now the 18th, ard Will perceived
there was scant time for the company to find
substitute Suddenly he became possessed of
strange idea Why should he 6ot go as cowboy
in the place Of his friend-plupge INTO new,
wild life that might help him to forget the sharp
pain now tugging at his hearth The opening
seemed prvvidential
And thus three days later found our hero
attired as cowboy to the manner born, at
certain small railway station in eastern Coora-
do, inquiring his way to the Hereford ranch.
1t was three miles away, across a dreary waste
Of sage brush, cactus and alkali Tormented
with gnats and embarrassed by his heavy boots
and Gnaccustomed chaparrajos- leather
brooches with fingers up the side, generally
called chaps for short-three times three
miles Will fancied he had toiled before the ranch
was gained
4uS cEoWu Oh COWBOYS i0unglug ABOUT the
place ali reused themselves to look the stranger
over with good-humored nonchalance. and one
directed him to where the foreman was. And
here was shock for which our hero was wholly
unprepared. The foreman was Tom Lonergan.
How came you herep stammers Will, hating,
thundsrstruck.
',rhe same to YOURSELF" the other good humor-
eddy retorted, but with certain sharpness of
glance that conveyed no enthusiastic welcome of
his guest Pm the foreman of the outft for
this trip, that's ALL My fathers the silent part
ner of the concern, sect Now, what brought you
herer
Somewhat incoherently Will explained about
his friend, and the young fellows change of
plans, and his idea of going out himself for the
trip.
Good schemeF cried Lonergan, with grin
that did not seem altogether void of malice. 'Of
course you've been cow.punching beforeF
VIII admitted that he had not, whereupon the
L.. l...n .ladl nradn x,A Les.