San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-10-18

whlstled to lean, yellow dog-the un'
sociable Bulger-and staggered away,
outwardly insolent and inwardly boil
ing. Thirty yards off. he turned and
called back:
when a man gets the drop Oh Burl
Yates. he reckernizes it because he has 20
sec? But he don't forget-he don't
forget Just stow that in your cursed
nOddle, will you? You've interfered with
BurI twice, you have. Next time meb-
be the shoe'll be on the other foot"
He wheeled and sauntered on, while
Stirling sat, pistol in hand, until the
huge frame of the boomer had disap-
peared beyond the long swell of the adj
iacent prairie. Then the lieutenant dis
mounted, examined the dugout and find
ing nothing inside rode slowly down
the bottom looking for other tresspass-
ers. Soon he heard his name softly
called and looking back saw lad of
some IS years approaching. AS he drew
near the face seemed familiar to Stir
ling, while battered wool hat and i'll fit
ting jeans could not entirely hide GER
tain symmetry of form and constraint of
manner that were essentially feminine.
Then the tangled curls, the fragile brown
features, the nose slightly retrousse, and
the large, dark eyes so pensive, saucy
and indefnable-all these could belong
to but one person, ArizOny. She laughed,
blushed and looked down as he recog-
nized with feeling of pain who she
really was.
"You-here again?" he queried, feel
ing what complete waste of words he
must have made of his former interfer-
ence and interest in her behalf.
Il Know what you think" she began
hurriedly, "but l can't stop long to ex-
plain. Burl will be watching. Ioughtn't
to have showed up to you, but saw you
and him together, and l know he's dan
gerous. They're all a-gettin dangerous
down at the camp. You've made an en-
envy of Burl-mostly through me, fear
and he hates the sight of you. So l
couldn't help slipping back to warn You
against him, even if you do see me in
these duds.'
She surveyed herself rather ruefully,
then looked up at Sterling and laughed.
"Oh! I've worn 'em BEFORE" she con-
tinued. I'VE women ON the border have
to do a-many thing that would make
you big folks stare, but-but we can't
help doing em-I tell you we have to
or do worse"
She stamped her foot impatiently, asif
divining by his shocked and serious looks
that he inferred the worst to be quite pos
sible-with such as she.
''Arizony, this may all be so, yet''-he
began, but she impetuously interrupted
him.
Never mind about me. came out
this time to help Burl stake out another
claim. He would have me come, and it
seemed best to put on these clothes. But
what want to say to you is this: Don't
you go far from your men-or be much
alone on the prairie. Don't never leave
your weapons behind. Burl"-
why do you cling to that man, Ari-
zony?'
"Mebbe that's my business" she re
turned little sullenly.
Il only ask because am interested in
you"
His kindly words and manner seemed
to effect her like an actual physical pain.
She twisted her fingers together and
looked nervously about.
I've known him so long," she faltered
Sometimes I'm more afraid of him than
anything else, yet he cares for me-he
lOvaS mo ha++n, tbon onHy pro ~, l,1
other beaux, too. There was Oily Pete
down at Texarkana-he had the slickest
tongue. Then came Tip Padgett-he
was bunko steerer or something at
Waco; he quite paralyzed me with his
airs. I've had others-no end of em, in
fact. They come and they go. Some
times like 'em, but more often l don't.
But Burl-sOmehOw he stuck and hung.
He got round mother afore she left,
till she said, 'Arizony, if it's long of Burl
that you won't go back east with me,
you'd better marry him And so-and
sol reckon | will-some day"
$50 it really was on his account that
you did not go with your mother"
81 don't know what right you have to
be askin," she retorted, then paused as
his sympathetic expression again arrest
ed her resentment. But might as well
say yes" she continued patheticalIy.
I'm very helpless creature, with all
my airs, and somehow l can't help dom
what Burl wantsme to do. There, don't
keep me here any longer. He may be
a-watchin out" She began to retraco
her steps, but called back, Don't forge5
what I've told you and-be very careful
of yourself"
In another minute Arizony was out of
sight, and the lieutenant rode on to the
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