Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-08

cey's early training, old ASSOCIATIONS anu
family ties compelled him invariably to
compare Met with his sister and his mother
always TO the disadvantage of pretty Met
Larned. Jack was swayed by honesty OF
purpose, and he resolved never to make
love- to Met; being Jack Delaney, he kept
his resolution.
But, nevertheless, Jack found it very
pleasant on Sunday afternoons to ride over
to the Larneds' cottage, five miles away, and
indulge in chat with Meta. If he desired
excuse, he found it in the paper which came
70 him with his mail every Saturday, and
which Meta liked to read. Jack discov-
cred keener satisfaction in taking tea
supper, they call it in Wyoming-with
Meta than he had ever experienced in sip
ping souchong from dainty china cups in
London drawing rooms. Metta's suppers
were substantial affairs-delicious beesteaks
and the lightest OF light hot bread, with but
ter that the dairy maids at Delaney Park
had never surpassed. Such meals were pc
culiarly appreciated by Jack after long
week of tough meat, indifferent potatoes and
hardtackl And Jack reciprocated Meta
hospitality whenever he journeyed TO Chey-
enne-as he frequently did-by bringing the
girl new novel or something pretty So
they became good comrades, and both en-
loved amazingly the long quiet Sunday af-
ternoons. But their regard and esteem for
each other stopped just short of love; for,
after three wears, Meta Larned's affection for
the EnClishman was no deeper than was
Jack Delancey's liking for the girl.
Unfortunately, on the plains, as well as in
other primitive and sparsely settled commu-
mites, actions and words frequently cause
more weight than they would do in large
social centers. Therefore, Calvin Larned
was not alone in surmising that Jack De-
II fa1 m Y11ol 10
his wife. All the boys looked upon such
climax as foregone conclusion, and even
Spencer knight shared in the general
opiuiou, Indeed, this belief alone
prevented knight himself from enter
ing the race for Met Larned;
for the foreman, who had never e1-
changed more than 20 sentences with Meta,
loved the girl with an affection which never
paused to make psychological estimate or
social comparisons-s love that was only
SURPASSED bv his deep and undying loyalty
to Delaney, for whose sake he kept his
secret so well that not q living soul ever
once dreamed of it.
Cal Larned's derogatory remarks at the
roundup anent Jack Delaney were not
nearly so severe as his mental comments
upou the same live subject. In his own
mind he thought that the Englishman had
been 'foolin' around Meta quite long
enough.
One Sabbath, when Spencer knight and
most of the boys had gone over to Chey-
enne with a couple of hundred young steers
to ship by the railroad to Chicago, Delan-
cev. as was his custom on Sunday mornings
in summer, brought his hammock outside
the long, low sh.anty, swung it on the shady
side OF the bu ilding, lit his pipe, and
stretched himself out TO enjoy the three
years-old Illustrated London NeUS.
'Mornin', Jackp exclaimed a voice-the
only voice whose accents usually disguised
Delaney.
Good morning. replied Jack, lazily
looking up. He noticed his visitor was
afoot. and added: You didn't walk over,
Larned?'
Not much, L didn't! I seen your barn
door open as come up, an found empty
stall; so hitched my pony an gev him
feed O. YOUR oats-'spore thet's all right?'
oh, certainly; you are very welcome said
Jack, as ve1ed as a man could well be with
Larned's take-it-for-gra nted style, but will
ing to tolerate the fellow for his daughters
sake.
Purity dry an dusty, Jack. Can't yer
pass the bottle, me son? A smell o. rye or
Bourbon, or even a couple O. fingers of gin,
wouldn't go bad
I don't like my men TO use liquor. SO do
not use it myself, and have none on the
place. You will find good spring water at
the we'll, yonder, and plenty of milk in the
cellar. That's the best 1 can do for you,
Larned. Help yourself
But neither milk nor water possessed any
charms for Cal Larned- He threw himself
full length upon the rough bench which ran
along the shanty, and filled his mouth with
fine-cut tobacco, which he chewed verv care
fully for the space of five minutes. He then
succeeded in drowning a grasshopper some
II eet away from him by a dexterous dis
charge OF black juice, and proceeded d.
rectly to the matter which just then ac-
counted for his presence at the Delaney
Ranch. Comm over TO our place to-day,
Jack?'
DeIancev, in despair, threw down his pa
per and replied: Yes, think So.
well now, Jack, how long is it sence you
planted yourself down here?'
About four years.
SO? How long was you here when 1 gev
yer knock down to my gal?'
Almost year.
SO? Well, now, amt much of a scholar,
so eff nv celebrations are wrong, kindly
ke-rect me. One year from four years leaves
three wears. Now, on yer own showin',
you've been sparkin' Met for three years.
Now, Jack, when are yer goin' to marry
my gal?'
Jack sat up in his hammock and dangled
one leg on the ground. Slowly he repeated
Larned's words: When - am L
going - to marry - your girl?
You mean, when shall 1 marry
Metta?-You are not indulging in con-
foundedly poor joke, hope, Larned?'
DO look as eff L wur sky-larkin', or as
et 1 meant bizness? No, Jack Delaney,
I'm askin' you a squar' quesching, an ef
you're the man they say you are, you'll gey
me a straight answer. How is it?'
MY good fellow, L have never made love
to your daughter for the very reason that I
have never dreamt of marrying her. 1 have
every respect for Met, and esteem her very
much; but have been particularly careful
to give her no false impressions. Besides,
believe Meta and 1 understand each other
quite we'll. Metta'-
You speak for yerself, Delaney. Don't ]
know all about her? Amt seen her change
in the last three years until she don't think |
of nobody nor nuthin' but you? Can't see
how she's a-growin' sick an weary of
waitin' for you to AK her?'
Jack put his other leg out of the ham, |
mock and with two of his big strides stood |
over his would-be father-in-law. Tell me
one thing he said, in tone of voice which !
indicated that it would not be we'll for mis-
listener to tamper with him. Tell me the
truth, man, of your own child. Does Met
care all that about me, and does she really
believe that-that / love her?'
She does.'
$50 help you God :?
Sec here. Delaney said Larned, clum-
silly, rising to his feet; what do you take
me for? What do you suppose care about
you? You never used me halfway decent,
anyhow. You an yer keep-yer-distance,
iord-dook style! amt in love with you,
anr Hit Yer belongings. I know I ain,t a