Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-03-04

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 I were alone in the field.
and both resolved to make hay while
there were no clouds obscuring Sol.
We spent delightful evening. barring
each others presence. and the depart.
ed Kid was only mentioned once, and
then by Miss Brooke who laughingly
related one OF his remarks. adding:
What jolly whole .souled boy 1t is,
to be sure!
As we rode home. not much was
said; but when we came in sight OF
the lights at the "HX." Fleming
refined up his horse cleared his throat
and said huslily: Scribe, my boy, |
reckon we're in the same boat, and We
might as well be frank about it. I've"
- he cleared his throat again)-
made up my mind to have Mary
Miss Brooke-for my wife-if she'l IL
have me. think you're In the same
fix"
nodded. not being able to answer,
and Fleming went on in the same
q'leer voice: They say alls fair In
love and war. l don't believe 1t.
Nothing is fair but justice. We are
even, now. l think. Let us be fair
with each other and may the better
man 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, II ia
vor there was. Mary-so l thought
OF her always, now-talked foot ball
with Fleming, who was an ex-member
OF the Princeton team, and talked
books and so forth to me- and we were
both as happy as unfortunate man
ever can be under like circumstances.
September first came and with a
telegram to Fleming. from the Kid.
/ was in town. and received it OPEN
Ing 1t as l always did the boss tele-
grams and business letters to see II
it was anything requiring immediate
attention. The message was dated
from Omaha. and read:
~. H. FLEMING, HX. ranch, Neb. {:
''Will arrive on third to stay a few
days. Take a couple cases beer to the
boys. (Signed) A. II. WHEELER"
leaned against a telegraph pole
and pondered. Coming. ehP No moro
untrammeled calls for Fleming and
me- Novel; it was high time to
be up and doing. But there was the
boss. and-this was his night!
felt like martyr as rode out TO
the ranch and silently handed Jack
the telegram. He read it and looked
at me.
Yes your night it is" said I; 'but
I've got to see the colonel about that
joint shipment we're going to make
so I'll go. too I'll let you alone,
though"
AS we rode over to the Hanfords',
we tried to keep up semblance OF
conversation. but it was not much OF
success We were both thinking
very hard.
had finished my business with the
colonel, and we sat down in his den to
smoke-the colonel holding up the
conversation. The lamp burned low,
and the old gentleman took it aw ay to
be reilled, leaving me in the dark
ness. He had hardly gone when
Mary and Fleming came up on the
porch and seated themselves just out
side the window at which sat.
felt like traitor. but dared not
move. knowing we'll that they would
hear me. and Jack might
never be able to get his little speech
said. So l had to listen to Jack 8
great strong bass tones as he told
Mary the old story. which there are
SO few ways OF telling. When he
finished there was brief silence then
Mary's voice said sorrowfully:
'Oh. Mr.. Fleming. ! am so sorry
so sorry-but l never dreamed of such
thing. You and Mr.. Faber have
both been so kind and nice tome, and
l thought you such good friends but
moths hurts me SO! l wish you
had left it all unsaid. and had never
known that you-you cared for me-
because II there were no other reason
I have already promised to
marry" (here her voice took on
tinge of laughter) the 'Undressed
Kid. '"-R L. Ketchum in the Argo.
naut