The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1892-11-26

that's all. IF this is her own deal an
she's satisfied, why I'm bound to be. If
it isn't-if that little old swelled up
prairie dog an the old folks have sort of
rushed it in on her No, you can't go,
nor Billy. I'm just goin by myself,
all peaceable an natural"
They were waiting for the preacher at
the Austell ranch-he was an hour over
due. There was a sort of strained I'M
easlness lnthe ali since Jim's unexpected
arrival, despite his quiet manner and
friendly greeting.
He only needed n glance at Chum-
mics little face, and her look of half ter
ritied delight would have melted a more
Obduratel and injured lover. Presently
some lively young spirit out on a porch
exclaimed, "Oh, let's play hide and seek;
the moons bright as day"
Jim watched Chummie, and. as she
crossed a darkened eatry, caught her in
his arms an instant, whispering, Glide
out at the far side of the corral-Cinco's
there, hitched." She slipped around a
back way unseen, while Jim walked
boldly over in front, and there, behind
the S-foot stockade, they met at Cinco's
head.
"You don't want him, do you, dar-
ling:"
"Oh. nc; Oh, no, Jlm!'
"Will You risk it with me and Cinco?'
"Oh, yes! Quick!
They'll follow. Where's the saddles
and brides? I'll put you on Rascal"
"All ON the back porch-there isn't
time. anyhow-Oh, listen!'
Jim lifted the little figure instantly
upon Cinco behind the saddle, swept the
bridal rein up from the snag over which
it hung and sprang into the saddle in
front of her, and her arms were around
him. Even while he wheeled CincO at
the corral gate he dashed in and circling
once around it drove the horses snOrting
out before them with swinging quirt.
Jim thrilled within that encircling Cir
die and remembered how once, riding
over from Doggy run, he had found her
afoot at the far end of the ranch, Rascal
having given her the slip; how he had
taken her up behind him on Cinco, and
how he had grievously spurred and mis-
treated that unoffending and astonished
friend. and put him into a dead run for
the rare delight Of feeling those shy
arms about them.
1t would have been prudent to start
north and circle round t. the trail,
avoiding the house. But it wouldn't
have been Jim-nor it wouldn't have
been Texas. When he felt himself in
that sweet clasp, so long desired, SO
barely snatched and wOn at last when
it would seem lost for good, with those
frightened arms clinging about him,
the small hands locking themselves to-
gether below his heart, Jim felt like a
warrior god.
Touching Cinco with the spurs, he
sprang forward and dashed down the
trail, close behind the string of clatter-
ing, snorting saddle ponies, right past
sembled company, in the clear white
light of a Texas full moon. AS they
came up to the group, Jim, in a reckless
burst of understandable delight and
triumph, rose in the stirrups, and, swing
ing his hat. remarked in the tone of an
intoxicated steam whistle, "Whirr-oo
-oo-irp! Whooirp! Whoo-oo-ooey!'
Translated freely this reads, $50 to
Halifax! | have got you now! Let's
see you help yourselves!' And so the
gentlemen to whom it was addressed re-
ceived it. But Cinco accepted it as only
regular, straightout horse talk-the most
pressing form OF eXhortatiOn to "git"
known to his tribe, and he SCOT" forth
with.
The ponies scattered out and let them
pass. Several of the older and sOberer
ones. pausing to question and debate a
little, were caught and saddled, and the
Austell boys and some others followed
over to Doggy run. Gillespie came out
and told them, with the grim, chuck
ling enjoyment of a sober old fellow
over a beloved youngsters dashing
prank, that Jim and Chummy, on Cinco
and Gillespie's best pony, mad ridden
down to be married at Del Rio and take
the morning train to Uvalde, where
Jim's people live.
Jim and Chummie could afford to be
magnanimous and say nothing to the
old folks, when we heard last week that
Spur was living meekly at Dallas with
a very aggressive wife and four chill
dren that came out from the east some
where and rounded up and corraled that
gay butterfy.-Alice MACEDONIAN i'll
Pittsburg Dispatch.