The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-25

to his feet He would have sprung against
them both, for he had not heard or real
lied who was speaking; but Bette laid her
hand on his arm the naughty droop OF her
eyelids change as she said In tender
voice:
"Never mind, Ed. they amt worth
mindin'." Her usual self came back
quickly as she led HIM away. Friends be-
gan to mutter now. and the swagger of the
brothers threatened further trouble. Their
eyes rolled, their knotted hands swung
about like bludgeons; threats. horrible
snarls and oaths burst from their lips.
But there was heard at this critical mo-
ment rapid footsteps. round. lovial voice,
and bursting through the door came the
great form and golden head OF Lime till-
man. the "best man in Cedar country"
Hold on, here! What's all this" he
said. leaping with an ominously good
natured smile into the open space before
the two men, whose restless pacing
stopped at the sound of his voice. His
sunny, laughing blue eyes swept around
him. taking in the situation at glance.
He continued to smile, but his teeth came
together.
"G,t out O. this, you houndsl Git" he
said, in the same jovial tone. ''Youl
You'll" he said to Bill. slapping him lightly
on the breast with the back of his lax
but the slope-shouldered giant sent it by
with his left wrist. kicking the feet of the
striker from under him with frightful
swing of his right foot-a trick which APP
palled Joe.
"Clear a track there" ordered Lime.
80 out " 60" Bill crawled painfully to
his feet
"I'll pay you for this vet. -"
ANY time but now. Git out, r I'll
kick you out" Lines voice changed
now. The silent crowd made way for
pushing Bill before him. the giant passed
out into the open air. There he pushed
Bill off the porch into the snow and
kicked his brother over him with this
parting word:
"You internal hyeniesl Kickin's too
around an you'll find me-"
Then to the spectators who thronged
after he apologized.
81 hate t. fight, and especially to kick
man, but they's times when mans gut t.
do it. Now jest go back and have good
time. Don't let them hyenies spoil all y'r
fun"
That ended it. All knew Lime. Every
body had heard how he could lift one end
of the separator. and toss a two-bushel
sack filled with wheat over the hind wheel
of wagon, and the terror of his kick not
unknown to them. They all felt sure that
the Yohes would not return, and all went
back into the house and attempted to 60
on with the games, but it was a failure
such exciting events must be discussed,
and the story was told and retold by
each one.
When Milton returned to the parlor he
saw Bette, tender. dignified and grave.
bending over Blackler bathing his bruised
face. Milton never admired her r1.ore in
his life than at that moment. she looked
so womanly. She no longer cared what
people thought.
The other girls. pale and fearful and a
little hysterical, stood about close to their
sweethearts. They enjoyed the excitement
and the fight appealed to something Or
ganic in them.
The donation party was at an end that
was clear, and the people began to get
ready to go home. Bette started to thank
Lyman for his help
Don't say anything. I'd "a done it
jest the same FIR anybody. 1t amt the
the thing t. come to donation and git up
a row."
Milton hardly knew whether to ask Bet
tie to go back with him or not. but Black
Ter relieved him from the embarrassment
by rousing up and saying:
80. I'm all right now, Bette. H'yeres
yer girl, Milt. See the eye I've got on
me? She says she wont ride home with
any such"
"Ed. what in the world do you mean ?"
Bette could hardly understand her lovers
sudden exultation; it was still very seri-
GUS matter to her in spite Of the complete
reconciliation which had come with the
assault. She felt in degree guilty, and
that feeling kept her still fearful and SUBJ
dued. but Ed leered and winked with his
good eye in uncomfortable delight. Milton
turned to Bette at last and saio:
"Well, I'll get Mark around to the door
IN, fo mil Got biv3oa
Bette and Ed stood close together by
the door; she was saying: you'll for
give me, won't you, Ed?"
"Why. course I will, Betty; was as
much to blame as you was. I had no
business to git mad till I knew what 7 was
now.
"IIl-I'll go home with you. If you
want me to-'stead of Milt?" she queried.
mo. I've got to take Maud home. It's
the square thing"
IN, "A i right. . "a; but come and let me
Its all right now; let's let it 60;
whoddy v say ?"
"All right, Ed"
There was kiss that the rest pretended
not to hesr, and. bidding them all good
night Bette ran out to the fence where
Milton sat waiting.
The moon was riding high in the clear.
cold sky. but falling toward the west as
they swung into the wood road. Through
the branches of the oaks the stars set in
the deep blue, fathomless night peered
cold and bright; there was no wind save
the rush of air caused by the motion of
the sleigh. Neither of the young people
spoke for some time. They lay back in
the sleigh under the thick robes, listening
to the chime of the bells, the squeal Of
the runners, and the weirdly sweet dis
tant singing of another sleigh load of
young people far ahead.
Milton pulled Mark down to a slow trot
and. tightening his arm around Bettie's
| shoulders in very brotherly hug, said:
"Well, I'm glad YOU and Ed have fixed
| things up again. You'd always have been
sorry
| Its all nv fault. anyway" replied the
| girl. with little tremor in her voice, land
| it was all my fault tonight, too. l no
bushes to "a gone of an left him that
way"
''Well, it's all over now, anyway, and so
| I wouldn't worry any more about 1t" said
Milton, soothingly, and then fell into
| silence again.
| The sagacious Mark Anthony strobe
steadily away and the two young people
went on with their dreaming. Bette was
| silent mainly and Milton was trying to
| fancy that she was Eileen and was remem-
bering the long rides they had had to-
| gether. And the horses boots beat
| steady rythm, and the moon fell to the
| west and the bells kept CHEEKY chime.
| The breath of the horse rose into the air
| like steam, the house dogs sent forth