Evening journal., 1890-09-10


And so the unique remarks continued to
drop around in my hearing; and the first half
Of the long change was completed Then
the gents took their turn at balancing anc
swinging, and presently something trans
PRED that caused me to view the scene with
particular interest
ln the set" were two gaunt, overgrown
youths, whom, from their general Likeness to
the gifronted Molly Ann Meeks, | had con-
euded 70 be her brothers; and while it is
conceded as one Of the unwritten laws Of
poliieness that no "fellerf shall slight a lady
ON the ballroom floor, of all places in tile
world, both Of these young gentlemen. eager
to take up their sisters quarrel, pointealy
refused to swing the innocent cause OF all
this trouble and heartburning, "balancingn
unconcernedly before her, and then, at the
last Instant, declining her outstretched hand
and leaving her. with an exaggerated bow,
meant to convey a world of disdain and con
tempt
l could hardly have restrained my anger
at this, but | saw, by the happy, careless
laugh that wreathed my darlings features,
that her thoughts were TOO full Of a more de-
lightful subject to allow passing events to
trouble her in the least. Therefore could
watch the little drama with the silont anuse
ment OF an uncorned spectator.
CHANGING at Brisbane, could SEQ that he
had noted IL all, and was chatting like a Gagged
lion.
ITS them Meekses, he said. He caught
my eye and interpreted my thoughts Alright.
"Ornery whelpsl Thar mad helsaso my
Kinda is dancin' with that Teller, Ben Coffee
Jes' see how black Molly Ann looks-an' half
the fellers here are mad, tew, fer thar all
Meekses, mighty nigh
nodded TO intimate that understood. |
would have spoken, but in order to keep up
with the violin must needs use my breath
for another purpose just then J. overheard
a loud remark, close to my elbow, from
third possessor Of the Meeks physiognomy.
I'm my bringin' up he said, in loud, su-
percilious ones nobody played the fiddle
but ole niggers. Nowadays the poor white
trash hez tux up ther trade
Brisbane made balk In time, missed two
or three notes and jumbled the rest of the
bar together. promiscuously. A moment
later Meeks spoke again;
"Oh, yes, ole Brisbane used ter be more Of
a gentleman, but guzzling whisky hez about
laid him out.n
The violin was mute, bus / kept thine"
going for an instant longer.
Got a mighty purity gall remarked an
other voice.
"Oh, yes, sneeringly; "Rinda Brisbane is
purity enough, allow, but them
The voice ceased, for had whirled around
and caught tho speaker by the throat.
Take Miss BTisbane's name on your tongue
again and / will tear it out by the roots,n
shouted. furious with anger
Meeks shook himself loose from my grasp
and stepped back a pace
Whore ye talkin' few, little boyF he
queried, looking down at me from the height
of his six feet four. Reckon you must be
another one Of Rinda's sugar Jumps, or you
wouldn'tn-
Thump Despite his height managed to
plant a blow between Meeis' snaky eyes, and
he measured his length on the floor
Brisbane caught me by the shoulder and
pulled me violently back. His eyes were
flaming with anger and his cleaning teeth
shone like wolf fangs in the shadow Of the
gray mustache,
Stan back young Teller" be said grimly;
''this is my fight, an not yourn Ef they
want tussle with Their ole man, they kin hey
| it, / guess Come on, ye cowardly skunksi
| Thar's forty Meeks tew one Brisbane, but he
amt afearedi Come Dew me, an feel the size
Of ole Kernul Bowel"
conld see that his right hand gripped the
handle Of a knife-the blade being concealed
in his sleeve. I saw Meeks staggering to his
feet and the crowd closing in, and | me-
chemically grasped the revolver in my coat
pocket.
At that moment there was halt in pro
| ceedings. A newcomer crowded through the
throng, parting them right and left; a tall,
portly person whom had encountered few
hours before and now recognized with de-
light-Sam Morley the jolly hearted jus
ticen of Snake Ridge.
"Hold on a minute, boys" he called cheer
| lily. II hate to interrupt fair fight, but
am here on special business. and I'm in a sort
Of hurry TO get it over WITH
"Must be pow'rful pressin', " grumbled the
angry fiddler.
"Quite so,n feplied the squire. besides, /
| have already got my fee-and a fat one, too,
and it is only fair that should earn it at
once.n
lie drew from an inner pocket folded
| paper, and looked at me inquiringly. rs it
all rghtln
/ hesitated then suddenly caught a
glimpse Of face in the backgrounds rosy,
radiant face, suffused with blushes-and
nodded quick assent.
Then hear We, all people, shouted the
| jovial Morley, holding the document aloft, in
full view of the puzzled, attentive throng;
II have here marriage license, drawn with
all the formalites of law, by which / am
authorized to unite in wedlock Richard Sher-
win and Marinda Brisbane Are the parties
| presentfA
With peculiar, half frightened sensation
at my heart l made a step forward, and then
/ felt little, soft hand nestled confdingly
within my palm.
Anybody able to produce any half way
decent objection to this matchl Ii SO, speak
now, for its your last and only chance
Every eye was turned upon old Brisbane's
weather beaten visage In evident perplex-
ity his eyes wandered from his daughters
face TO mine, then over the assembled crowd;
until, by chance, they rested upon the dis
rolored bruise that now was plainly visible
on the forehead Of big Tony Meeks Then
the old mans face Lighted with smile Of
satisfaction.
go ahead, square, he said calmly "Ef
! he'd forty gals that Teller cud have his pick
Of the lot
Every man in the room was perfectly cog
pizant Of the old fellows reasons for so say
ring. No reward was too great for him who
had caused the downfall Of a Meeks Still,
no one expressed any signs Of disapproval,
and when the ceremony was over, Molly
Ann Meeks was the first to offer congratula-
lions.
"Sech a surprise she simpered, II never
was 50 beat in my life. And dew hope as
aow Mister Sherwin will settle down some
var clus, so mem Kinda kin be together a
keapn
And, freed from all fear Of losing the affec-
lions of the amiabe Ben Coffee Miss Meeks
4 ftefas