The evening world., 1893-10-19
"WILD" cHARLEY'S WIFE.
A Romance of the Prairie Vith an Uner-
pecteG Termination.

There was a furry OF excitement
through the camp when one OF the boys
who had been sent to the ranch for the
mail returned after two days journey
and announced that there was a ''pooty
gal %stoppin' at the 'dobe, an she looks
like she'd come to stay"
Instantly n volley of queries was fired
at him. Who was she? Where did she
come from? What does she look like?
&c.
The COW punchcr, with a tantalizing
realization of the Importance OF his
news, refused to answer any question
until he had staked his horse out and
absorbed a liberal quantity OF provender
from the mess wagon. washed down
with copious draughts OF coffee "strong
enough to hold n two-year-old steer"
To the indignant comments of his
brother cowboys he returned good-na-
tured raillery. Cut off, as II were. from
civilization, the only specimens of feml-
ninity they ever saw were half-breed
Mexican whose ~pretensions to
beauty were of the sllmmest possible
description The presence Of a girl at
the ranch. and especially a "pooty' one,
was well calculated to arouse their curl
osity.
KANT tell ye much about her. said
Shorty Ce was six feet two in his
st~ocking-feet). Her names Lizzie, an
she's got red hair. but she's the pootiest
gal that ever struck Lincoln County.
Game up hyar lookin' for her brother,
she says. heered he was up in these
parts somewhat. Mrs. Wilson (the wife
Of the owner of the ranch) seemed to
cotton to her. an asked her to stay
with her awhile. Reckon she's n goin'
to. Comes from Fort Worth. she says"
Beyond a few details Of conversation
with the girl. which we strongly sus-
pected were exaggerated to suit the &C.
casion. nothing more satisfactory could
be CLEANED from Shorty. Every one in
he camp, however. became possessed
of a desire to get back to the ranch and
see this prairie paragon.
After a few days Of rounding up, our
supply OF coffee and flour got low, and
Bill Hunt was delegated to go to the
ranch and secure a fresh stock. There
were many envious glances cast at Bill
as he mounted his horse and set out on
a swift gallop. Bill was a handsome
fellow. straight az the traditional arrow,
piercing black eyes and a wavy black
mustache. Rumors Of broke hearts
he had left behind in a little Texas
own had reached US. and we regarded
him as a '~lady-killer'' Of the greatest
magnitude. He woul see the fair Liz
zie, and the rest OF us would have no
show at all.
Bill had been gone but a few hours
when tho old man SAINT sEyvilJv ~lorIa,,
back to the ranch to secure some papers
necessary to him IN h coming deal In
cattle. Charley was the antithesis Of
Bill. Short in comparison with his
brother ''puncher." he was a decided
blonde. with clear blue eyes and wavy
hair. Rollicking and jovial. always
ready with song or Joke. he was the life
OF the outfit. His daring feats of horse
manship and recklessness in the brand
ing corral had gained him his title of
wild" There was more speculation
anon the boys as to which would find
favor in the fair Lizzie's eyes-the seri-
Gus. handsome Bill or the jovial Charley.
Their return was awaited with some sup
pressed excitement.
Two days later they returned together.
Charley bubbling over with enthusiasm,
Bill quiet and dignifed. more SO than
ever.
Tell yc what, ~fellers. she's as pooty
as a red wagon" said Charley, by way
OF Introduction. in speaking of the girl.
'She's got the ~littlest foot I ever seen.
and cheeks like a baby. Took a shine
to her the fust thing, an gave her an
invite to go to the next bale dance at
the Berendo."
shes got as much sense as n locoed
horse" snorted Bill from the other side
OF the campfire. Don't know nothln'
but how to giggle, an skeers at the
sight Of a jack rabbit"
you're Jealous. Bill,'' was Charley's
laughing reply. He didn't have no
show after I got there. ! found him out
In the dairy palaverin with her, an I
just Clipped in and raised him outen the
game"
There was a general laugh at Bits
expense In which he was forced to Join,
Out 1 fancied / saw a peculiar look In
his black eyes.
Weeks passed in the monotony OF
rounding up, and finally we were ordered
back to the ranch to give the horses a
Few weeks rest. Charley devoted all
his spare time to cultivating Lizzie's
friendship. and by virtue of his longer
acquaintance the field was left open to
him The girl, while not exactly justify
ing the lavish encomiums bestowed by
the advance couriers. was not homely nv
any means. There was moreove. an
cir about her which indicated that she
had q will OF her own.
Charley stood the badlnage OF the
boys with great good humor, and gave
5est sor jest Bill, however, seemed to
talks particular delight in chatting Char
ley and II was plain there was an IN
dercurrent o, feeling IN his remarks
He tried several times 70 cultivate LIZ
zie's friendship, but IL wa plsiu u be-
seen she preferred Charley. This, a.
Charley would express II. 'rilei 81.
considerable" This blus-eyed cowboy
stood the taunts OF his handsome com
rade for a time with his usual pleasant
ness. but gradually II became Il ulae
annoying. and charley's replies con
tanned more acid tnaH sugar. An open
rupture was looked :ur ~ any time.
II came at last. IN Jut Charley were
Picked Up II North Ever.
The Indy Of 81 ua.DOvr MAJ Ya pGyurI' 70
a. mE go