The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-12-09

1oliy lor tulnklnS Olnc0 TOO SOOu for so
hard trip. Four days later on a
Thursday, he rode up to the ranch
house door at Boggy Run about noon
and threw himself upon the bed with.
out a word, while Gillespie, equally
speechless with amazement, arose from
his solitary dinner and attended to the
used-up horses.
That evening Jim was saying to Gil.
lespie IAN older man and hard beaded
Scotchman), while he blacked his boots
vigorously, turned the little ranch
house upside down, and dragged out
all his own and Gillespie's entire ward
robe to make suitable full dress suit !:
Let mp, John. There's no use talkin'.
I'm goin' over there and look at her
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 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
overdue. There was sort of strained
uneasiness in the air since Jim's unex-
pected arrival, despite his quiet manner
and friendly greeting.
He only needed one glance at Chum-
mics little face, and her look of half
terrified delight would have melted q
more obdurate and injured lover.
Presently some lively young spirit out
on porch exclaimed: "Oh, let's play
hide and seek; the moons bright as
day."
Jim watched Chummie, and, as she
crossed darkened entry. caught her in
his arms an instant, whispering, Hide
out at the far side of the corral-Cinco's s
there, hitched. She slipped around a
back way unseen, while Jim walked
boldly over in front, and there, behind
the eight-foot stockade, they met at
Cinco's head.
You don't want him, do you, dar.
ling?"
"Oh, no; oh, no, Jimr'
"Will you risk it with me and Cinco 2"
ooh, yes Quick r
They'll follow. Where's the saddles
and brides ? I'll pat you on Rascal. :"
"All on the back porch-there isn't
time anyhow-oh, listen T.
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 sad
die 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 girdle and remembered
how once, riding over from Boggy 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 be-
hind him on Cinco, and how he had
grievously spurred and mistreated that
unofending and astonished friend. and
put him into dead run for the rare
delight of feeling those shy arms about
him.
1t would have been prudent to start
north and circle round to 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
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
the open front door and the whole as
sembled company. in the clear white
light of a Texas full moon. As they
came up to the group, Jim, in a reck-
less burst of understandable delight and
triumph, rose in the stirrups, and,
swinging his hat, remarked in the tone
of an intoxicated steam whistle.
''Whirr- Whooirp
Whoo-oo-ooey !!
Translated freely this reads, go to
Halifax I have got you now! Let's
see you help yourselves r And so the
gentlemen to whom it was addressed re-
ceived it. But Cinco accepted it as only
straight out horse talk-the most press
ing form of exhortation to "git" known
to his tribe and he "got" forthwith.
The ponies scattered out and let them
pass. Several OF the older and soberer
ones, pausing to question and debate q
little, were caught and saddled, and the
Austell boys and some others followed
over to Boggy Run. Gillespie came out
and told them, with the grim, chuck
ling enjoyment of sober old fellow
over a beloved youngsters dashing
prank, that Jim and Chummie. on Cinco
and Gillespie's best pony, had 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 they heard last week that
Spur was living meekly at Dallas with
very aggressive wife and four chill
dren that came out from the East some-
where and corralled that gay butter
fy.-Alice MCGOWAN in Pittsburg Dis
patch.