St. Landry democrat., 1892-04-23

J.
days went by, for old Sam Parker was
something of strategist, and managed
to keep the poor lad from getting &
single private interview with hottie,
thereby giving Cottrell a clear field,
| which was evidently satisfactory to the
| latter, although he did not seem to make
much progress.
One evening Shorty came to my room
in a state Of mind. He had seen Sam
Parker that day, and tho latter had told
him, as gently as possible, some CALLING
truths about his age and his penniless
condition, concluding with the cheerful
information that he ''reokoned Net he'd
bout decided t. take up with Cottrell,
anyhow
Of course Shorty was despondent, but
he was none the less determined ga
Der, I'm going to see her tomorrow
afternoon, and-and ask her"
The time and the hour favored Shorty,
but hardly think Nettie knew her own
mind. The boy who came riding slowly
home through the shadows next evening
was very much downcast boy, indeed.
He told me oil about it later; how
Nette had wayered, md finally told him
that she could give him no answer, She
cared a great deal for him, she said but
she was not sure she cared enough for
him. Besides, her father objected to
him, and she could never cross her faith
ers wishes, when he had done SO much
for her
Sam Parker must have heard Of this
interview, and made up has mind to
something. Although he was usually SO
good -natured he was as determined as
bulldog, and | think he used some in
fuence in deciding matters, for, two
weeks later, he dropped i'm to tell Jack
that Nettie and Cottrell would be mar
ried on Thanksgiving Day, two months
later.
face, for after supper he drew me aside
and asked what | knew. hated TO tell
him, but did so, the best way could.
The poor lad stood still as stone %for
several seconds. Then, with shudder-
ing sob, he turned away. In the morn
ing he was gone with his horse and
clothes, leaving no word.
Jack and Joe, the other brother, were
much worried, but, as Jack for the first
time acknowledged, "the boy could take
care Of himself.'
Jack and talked it over during the
day, and he expressed a great deal of
regret, thinking, however, that Ncttie
had decided for herself, and that Shorty
had no one to blame for his failure. of
it had been different" he went on, "and
Percy had pelsevered and won, would
have given in, and | think Parker would,
too, for next year Percy will come into
about fifteen thousand You see, I've
mover told him of it because | wanted
him to grow up on his own merits, and
be self-relant. | think it has been for
the best. Joe never knew, until he was
Of age, that he had anything, and we
we didn't tell Percy Of it then, because
he was only seventeen. Joe pnt his
money into the ranch here, and kept
quiet about it,
He sat silent for minute, then con-
tinuned: "Of course, this is between
ourselves. But-do you know, | wish
the boy had Won He's good deal of
man, and, now | come to think of it, the
affair has hit him hard. They could
have waited q couple of years, you
know And Jack walked off slowly,
taking long whitfs at his pipe.
Several weeks passed, dnring which |
saw Nettie Parker several times. She
seemed different. Her laugh was not the
jolly laugh | had been accustomed to
hear and she seemed pensive at times.
Was it her approaching wedding, Or
Shorty? hoped it was Shorty. But
somehow when people pine they seem to
lose color and get thin, ana Nettio Par
ker did neither. And still no word from
Shorty, and the day for the wedding
onI y a week away.
1t was Wednesday of Thanksgiving
week, and there had been great prepara-
tons at Parker's. The people for miles
around were invited to the weI3tng.
which old Sam lowed would be tn
bang uppest thing they ever he'd in tn
kentry." | rode into town on behalf of
Jack and myself, something TO present
to the bride-elect. In the post-otiico
some one tapped me on the shoulder.
turned. 1t was Shorty Fleming
Shorty, with q handsome moustache, and
smiling quite happily.
GLOW long before you're going out:'
he asked.
"Right now
"BuIly! Faber, so and borrow o
horse until o-morrow-tell EN- yours is
lame, and you'll have to lead him. No
body has recognized me back Of this
overcoat collar and tho hirsute adorn- /,
ment, and don't want 'em to. I'll walk |
out and head up the road. Hurry up
with the horses!'
In about twenty minutes | was follow
ing him, riding horse | had borrowed !
from my friend the doctor, and leading
my own. soon caught up with Shorty, !
and we hurried on. Shorty showed ME o
letter signed "Nettie," and proceeded
to unfold a plan he had in mind, which,
for the quality of pure nerve" had
never heard surpassed.
There was nobody at the house but |
Manuel, the cook, and Shorty soon had
him sworn to silence. after which he pro-
ceeded TO camp in the cold, little up /
stairs store-room off my den, where no.
body coud find hhim. Jack was not to
know of his presence, he said, because
"Jack is SO laundering honest and per-
snickety, and would squeal or spoil the
job
The half-hundred guests at Parker's
had been enjoying Thanksgiving Day to
the full. All Of Mrs. Parkcr's good /.
things had been slowed away where they /
would do the most good. The minister
from town was getting ready for the
ceremony, and the guests were busting
about, amid some confusion, trying to |.
find the best points for observation.
D. l. 6, i