Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-04-16

tions never entered our heads OF
course. it was undeniable that Miss
Brooke liked him. but that we as
sured ourselves. was in a spirit OF
mere good-natured tolerance. Besides
who ever knew of the Kid ever hav-
ing n sweetly solemn thought?
Providence came to our aid. about
the middle of July. in the shape of a
telegram. stating that the Kids
wealthy father. with whom he had
not been ON very good terms-that is
no terms Mt all-had gone the way OF
all humanity. and that the Kid must
come home at once, to look after af-
fairs
We were at the Hanfords', Fleming
and /. that evening. when the Kid,
who had preceded US by an hour or So
took leave Of Miss Brooke. He was
not going back to the ranch. having
had his things sent to town, in order
to start early in the morning, and he
left shortly after We arrived.
Even II we had expected otherwise,
there was nothing touching in the
Kids leave-taking. While not quite
so light in his speech as usual, he
could hardly be accused of seriousness,
and he shook hands with Miss Brooke
in the same hearty way as with the
rest OF US.
Well. the Kid was Off not for
good, for several weeks at least. and
the boss and | were alone in the field
and both resolved TO make hay while
there were no clouds obscuring Sol
We spent a delightful evening. barring
each others presence and the depart,
ed Kid was only mentioned once, and
then by Miss Brooke who laughingly
related Que OF his remarks. adding:
What a jolly. whole-souled boy it is,
TO be sure!"
As We rode home. not much was
said; but when we came in sight Of
the lights at the HN.n Fleming
refined up his horse, cleared his throat
and said, huskily; Scribe. my boy, I
reckon we're in the same boat, and we
might as well be frank about it. I've
the cleared his throat again)-
made up my mind to have Mary
Miss Brooke-for my wife-if she'll
have me. think you're IN the same
FIX
nodded not being able to answer,
and Fleming went on in the same
queer voice: They say all's fair in
love and war. l don't believe 1t.
Nothing is fair but justice, We are
even, now, | think. Let US be fair
with each other, and may the better
mar win"
And thus it came about that, with
out any more words. we got to calling
at Hanfords on alternate nights-and
oh, these women,-each fondly be-
lieved himself the favored one, if IA
o there was. Mary-so | thought
of her always. now-talked foot bal
with Fleming. who was an ex-membeI
Of the Princeton team. and talked
books and so forth to me, and we were
both as happy as unfortunate mar
ever can be under like circumstances.
September first came, and with {
telegram to Fleming. from the Kid
| was in town, and received il, open
ing it as | always did the boss tele
grams and business letters to see I
it was anything requiring immediat,
attention. The message was date
from Omaha, and read:
y. H. FLEMING, HX. ranch-, Neb.
win arrive on third to stay a fe'
days. Take a couple cases beer to tn
boys. (Signed) A. H.. WHEELER"
| leaned against a TYPOGRAPHICAL
and pondered. Coming. Ell? No NOR
untrammeled calls for Fleming an
me. Novel; it was high time I
be up and doing. But there was tn
boss. and-:his was his night.
l felt like a martyr as | rode out I
the ranch and silently handed JAG
the telegram. He read It. and locke
|. at me.
Yes. your night it is. said I; ''bu
I've got to see the colonel about thI
joint shipment we're going 10 make
i so I'll go, too Ill let you alone
, though"
As we rode over to the Hanfords
| we tried to keep up a semblance {
conversation. but it was not much
a success. We were both thinkin
very hard.
| had finished my business with tn
colonel, and we sat down in his den
smoke-the colonel holding up tn
conversation. The lamp burned low
! and the old gentleman took it away
J be refilled. leaving me in the darI
ness. He had hardly gone whe
I Mary and Fleming came up on II
! porch and seated themselves just GU
q side the window at which / sat.
] felt like a traitor, but dared n,
move, knowing well that they wou.
! hear me. and Jack migl
|, never be able 10 get his little speec
y said. So | had to listen TO Jack
q great, strong bass tones as he TO
Mary the old story, which there a
= 50 few ways Of telling. When !
q finished there was a brief silence, tn,
Mary's voice said sorrowfully:
i, 'Oh. Mr.. Fleming. / am so sorry
q so sorry-but l never dreamed Of SUI
= a thing. You and Mr.. Faber ha'
= both been SO kind and nice TO me. al
l thought you such good friends, b