Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-10


yer hands up-put EN- up, sayi"
The Don reluctantly obeyed. 1t was a
most Illuminating position for knight like
himself to be placed in-just as he was about
to rescue his Dulcinea-but what could he |
dos He was not afraid, he was simply yield
ing to circumstances. Bobs persuasive air
and six shooter-when he raised his hands |
and sat there on Rozinante, dripping from |
every angle.
Bob studied the situation moment
"What he'd we better do, Mirandyr he
asked 'rve notion to turn my forty-fve
loose into him-fur mixin' himself up in
family affairs How'd he get here, anywayYn
Better get outen that quag first, Bob,"
said Mirandy with good sense; ''you kin
shoot him most any time
"Thats bout so, Iguess. Look here, you,"
he said to the Don, what you hangin' round
here fur, anyhow
Il come here to rescue Innercence-from
. villain, an to have-Vengeance," said the
Don, with an effort, for his position, with his
hands above his head, was tiresome as well
Is ridiculous one
'Hawl hawF" laughed Bob, hoarsely.
aYou seem to be doin it in great shape
None O. that Put 'em upln he added sharply,
as the Don lowered his aching arms little.
wal, you are tenderfoot,n said Mirandy,
looking at him scornfully. 'Fust place |
amt innercent, an Bob amt a villain
We're on our way to Sanity Rosy to get mar
ried"
Married The Don was thunderstorm.
He had not expected this. 1t was not an alb
duction, but an elopement after all Here
was he blocking the wheels of Loves chariot,
when he believed he was pushing them out Of
the slough of despond. Mirandy going to
marry Bob Then she could no longer be his
Dulcineai What should he dol At first he
trembled with indecision and doubt, but in
q moment, like the true knight he was, he
bowed to the lady's choice and saluted her
gracefully. Mirandy watched his face at
tentively, and, as he bent forward in obeis-
ancs, said:
II reckon you kin put up your gun Bob
He's all solid, and Bob returned his pistol to
its holster
Then the Don sat manfully to work to
smooth the path of true love, which
thus far had been rough enough. If he could
not be the very best man, he would be the
next best, and he hurriedly united the raw
hide fasso that hung in a neat coil from the
saddle horn, just in front of his right knee
All this time Bob had been seated on his
mired horse in mdstream, quite powerless to
help himself or his animal The Don rode
| to the edge of the bank and said:
II carlate to chuck this over ye Bob and
| git We outen thar Look outr' Bob nodded
his acquiescence
| Very deity the Don swung the loop about
biS haal 81 81
tie movement of his wrist, then, when it had
| acquired just the right momentum, he let it
| slip from his hand. 1t went weaving and
twisting through the air. and settled down
over Bob's shoulders. Taking a turn of the
| free end about his saddle horn the Don
backed Rozihante away from the stream and
IN another second Bob, wet and muddy,
stood by Mirandy's side The Don did moth
ing by halves, and when he saw Mirandy
jump to the ground to greet her lover, he
| discreetly turned his head aside and en-
deavored, though Intellectually, not to hear
the sounding smack that followed That lit
tie matter over, once more he swung his
lasso, and once more it shot snakily through
the air. This time the open loop dropped
over the head of the horse. Now the Don
had his hands full; the animal reared, and
| struggled, and snorted, but the effect of the
strong, steady pull was apparent in time, and
at last the horse stood upon the bank
muddy, trembling and weak
| About O'Clock that afternoon a party Of
three rode into Santa Rosa. In spite of their
wet and bedraggled appearance it was plain
that two of them were in excellent spirits
The third was silent and preoccupied The
| rain had long since ceased; the warm sun had
| dispersed the clouds, and the blue sky was
| without spot or speck. The party rede
straight 10 the little adobe church-built
| years ago by an over sanguine missionary,
| but now long time unoccupied 1t stood
| gable end to the plaza, its ridge ornamented
with bell tower which sheltered a voiceless
| bell. To the rail in front of the church were
hitched three or four saddled ponies, while
| lettering in the shade were as MANY men,
dressed in their best, with freshly creased
boots and clean shaven faces, that showed
white by contrast with their sun burned
necks and foreheads
| well, boys! here we be- cried Bob. cheer
| lily, as he drew up. "Everythin' all right,
Billr'
Yes" said Bill Ransom, as he stepped up
and laying his hand on Mirandy's rein,
! helped her to dismount How dye do,
ma'ami You're iookin we'll"
Then noticing the Don, he leaned over to
Bob and whispered: Good Gawdl Bob!
What's that. Some new kind of family
ghostf"
Hes my hated rival" said Bob, compla-
Gently; FAN he's goin' to give the bride away,
OWN to the unavoidable absence of her
mother Here he winked at Bill in a very
facetious manner
Give US all away, you mean," growIed
Bill Looks if he'd bin locoed, " but no one
seemed 70 hear him
wal, come on now, boys" said Bob as he
calamity tucked Mirandys arm through his.
Come along! Less get this little exper'men
over. Is the Hon'able Justice Parker on
deck an sober. Bill!n
THE Hon'able Justice Parker, regret to
say" said Bill slowly, sis on deck-re-mark,
ably so-but far from sober. He attempted
to clean out the Maverick at exactly o.
m, an we had to tie him an put him to bed
where he now is, ravin maniac from toe
much strong drink"
Bob uttered a very profane ejaculation
Curse himl l give him s. in advanc,
cause he promised to keep straight till aftel
the weddin'," he said. What we goin' t.
dol Tom Davis an the widder'll be here in
an hour with possy, an want to git mar
ried fore they come. There's sure to be
fight, an want TO leave Mirandy all righ
in case git hit"
The Don stepped forward "Tf your,
lookin' fur some one TO marry ye," he said
~ reckon kin help ye out-do good fur evi
-as I'm qualified to that extent, hevin'
license to preach an marry"
1t was very short ceremony as the DoI
performed it, and he brought it to close il
a style that some of the guests thought Lit
tie abrupt. walk ye in the narrer rud--
pronounce ye both one an the same"