The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1890-08-20

Screa med SaDrlny, her Dlack eyes HaSn'
ing angriIy, as she struggled into an up
right position, scornfully refusing the
assistance proffered by 'Siah.
Il think I'd best, Sabriny. as it locks
as If you meant me, as we'll as old Toby.
I've not intended to insult you, an my
errand over this mornin' was to see if We
could't iina forces. Thar's little chores
over here that needs man to look after
'em, and l know Doc an me git monty
tired of our own housekeepin'. Thar's
room for both you an me over there,
an you could still look after Miss
P'nelopy. livin' so handy"
cit out an quick! l mean you, 'Sp
Leeds, an not old Toby! s'pose you're
Offering me the chance to become Mis-
Leeds, and to desert my pore Miss
P'nelopy. I'm woman, an one OF the
stubborn sort, as don't desert old
friends, an, at the drop of hat, go over
to the enemy. Iconsider your proposal
insultin', an, for the last time, tell you
to stay on t'other side of that thirty
footw snapped Miss Sabriny. elevating
her chin, scornfully shifting the air. and.
as 81 inwardly acknowledged, '1ookin'
right down handsome in her tantrum."
Crestfallen, the rejected lover turned
to go, saying humbly, as he held out his
hand: .'Sabriny, shall not lay this up
agin you. anil be ready to do you a good
turn at any time. but, my girl, you'll
ask me to do it before 1 set foot over
that thirty foot of ground that rightful-
ly belongs to Doc Hale. He hain't the
man to claim property that isn't his
own. or fight innocent women. Mis-
Pnelopy has fretted him into doin' ag-
gravatin' things. He'd be glad to settle
peaceably. Mind, SabrinY, you'll ask
| me to come"
It'll be long. dry spell before that
| happens" she retorted, turning her
| back upon the man who had in her lone
ly life been "a sight Of comp'ny an real
handy to call upon when mans helpwas
| needed"
Two "eavesdroppers," Miss Penelope
| and DR.. Hale. in their own rooms, had
overheard themselves and their quarrel
talked over by their faithful friends,
and some way that thirty feet in dispute
never seemed so valueless before.
Digby Hale laid down the medical
| journal, unable to become interested in
even the elixir of life experiments de-
| scribed in its columns. Aloud he said:
"Qumph! That vixen of cook serves
me up in sauce piquante. / think ST
has made lucky escape in getting no
instead of a yes from that peppery dam
sci. never suspected him of cherish
ing tender feeling for Miss Penelopy's
comely cook"
| Unable to resume reading, he went to
a large mirror and surveyed himself,
seeing a stalwart, bronzed man in his
prime. Truly it wasn't an even battle,
the money, influence and popular opin-
ion all belonging to him, and pitted
against pale, spirituelle little woman,
having the odds against her. He hadn't
really cared for that thirty feet in dis
pute, only it was his right to have it,
and without it his lawn was narrow and
contracted. Being stranger in the
village, he had never known the Becks,
and the last scion of the family, Miss
Penelope, had not proved pleasant
neighbor.
| Digby Hale's battle of life had been a
long one before success came, absorbing
the days. and nights, too, leaving none
for social duties. Motherless and sister
less from boyhood, he knew little OF
sweet home ties, or the influence of a
tender womanly woman for the better
ment of mankind.
'Come to dinner, Doc" called 'Siah,
from the kitchen, and obeying the sum-
mons he noticed. as he had never done
before, the ''need of wOmanly hands" in
his bachelor abode. In silence 'Siah
served the very palatable dinner. re-
penting in metaphorical sack-cloth and
ashes his rash vow to never step over
that thirty feet of ground until asked to
do it."
wardly communed. "Now I've fixed
things in fine style, leavin' myself no
chance to win her at all by sayin' that
I'll never be asked to come if the house
catches fire. Sabriny's grit to the back
bone. I'll never have any other woman
for my wife, an I'm gittin' tired of Gv-
in alone"
The day set for the "trial' was ap-
preaching; DR.. Hale said it must be set
tied this court term, as sit had dragged
along too long now" Miss Penelope
sat in her closed bedroom, gloomy and
silent the greater portion of the time,
and Sabriny's loud:
| Here stands = couple jined heart an hand
| He wants a wife an she wants man.
An they will git married if they can agree.
! Then they'll march down the center as happy
as can be,
as she deity turned off the work, no
longer delighted the music-lOving soul
of 'Siah. who in turn dropped around,
too dispirited to hum slowly:
There's rose in the garden for you, young man,
to tune and time of his own construc-
| ton.
He really hadn't 'sposed Sabriny'd
carry matters so fur as to 60 around with
her split-board bunnet pulled down tight
over her face, refusin' to speak to fell
| low all ON ,cOupt IF that paSGv ~,