The herald., 1894-12-11

tier with no sympathy for young lovers
and might send him into retirement for
years. and she might become wrinlllcd
pr calcimined old maid before he again
breathed the air of freedom.
That would be terrible. But pshaw
Bob would never be so foolish as to puff
nut human light for one little girl in
country literally running over with
the prettiest girls in America Not he.
Anyhow she would risk it, and if Ben
Allison of tho Diamond o ranch came
around and made eyes at her again, as
he had done on several occasions, she
would encourage him just the least bit,
and then, when Bob recovered from the
fit of temporary insanity into which her
corset had thrown him and came to her
in penitent mood, she would throw
herself into his dear arms and tell him
that she never did, never would and
never could love any one but him. OF
course he would forgive her and kiss
her tears away, and the sun of love
would again burst forth and shine over
them with new and exquisite luster.
Ben Allison's heart became real un-
ruly when at his next visit to the Den
ton ranch Cassie met him with awelcom-
ing smile, extended her pretty little hand
and permitted him to hold it quite lit
tie while after he had got through shak-
ing it. After this gratifying reception
mis- visits increased in frequency, and
although, with great feminine tact, the
girl kept his ardor within proper bounds
she did not repulse him, and it soon be-
came noised about among the riders of
the ranges that "Ben was sure goin to
pitch matermonial rope at Cassie Ben
ton, an the little thererbred d soon pack
his brand.
Bob noted all this, and his heart was
filled with bitterness toward his sup
posed rival. He never cast the look of
recognition upon Cassie, yet when he
would see her moving about the house
or corrals or galloping about the range
on her pretty little pinto pony it began
to dawn upon him that her corseted
form was indeed FAR neater than that
of any girl on all the ranges of the
Brazos After time he was ready to
swear that he had never seen anything
one-half so handsome as that neat, grace
full figure, and the uncorseted girls OF
his acquaintance seemed almost fright
ful in bis eyes when he gazed upon their
loose, dumpy forms. He began to harbor
the impression that he had made a
very pronounced fool of himself, but
his stubborn nature asserted itself. He
had said the corset must go, and go it
must.
THAT'S a way up on top gal senoe
she got back from Dallas, amt she,
Bob?" Allison said to him one day,
when they met in the corral Of the Den
ton ranch.
"Yo' don't want to make no funny
plays about that gal when I'm around,
Bob hotly replied.
II hain't never yit found out that it
makes any difference who's around or
who amt around when want to make
q talk play" retorted Allison.
"Some things gifts found out mighty
sudden, Ben Allison, an this amt goin
to be fur from one of 'em. l want to
tell yo' right now, an to holler it out
plain, too, that yo' are a-nosin around
this ranch too plenty o. late instead Of
ridin yer own ranch, an L amt agoln
to stand it no mo-. -
"Mabbe you wouldn't mind tellin me
what business it is O yours whar
ride. Long as the gals throwed yo' to
one side yo' amt got no say as to other
fellers pitchin rope at her. -
Eyer a liar when yo' say she's
throwed me, an yo' know it, an yo
want to hit the Diamond O trail right
now, or yo' an mes agoin to bump to-
gether pow full hard Jest top that hoss
O. yours an work him lively away from
here, or calamity's agoin to occur
right quick. "
"Yo talk mighty brave fur castoff
shoe, Bob Taylor. an yo' can't begin the
bumpin business any too quick to suit
me, yo' poor, worthless sneak.
That was the limit. The two men,
their eyes blazing with anger, backed
away from each other, drawing their
six shooters as they went. The guns
were thrown into position for quick
work just as slight girlish form dart
ed around the corner of theadobe stable
and sprang in front of Taylor. ALI
son s pistol rang out before he noted the
presence of the girl, and with a scream
of pain she fell senseless to the ground.
The man who had fired the shot fled in
terror and Bob bent over his wounded
darling, calling her by the most en-
dearing names and begging her to live
for his sake.
The form of the girl was borne into
who was fortunately there, attending a
cowboy who was down with the break
bone fever was called in.
''Is she dead, doctor?" asked Bob in
tones of the most pitiable agony
'No, only stunned. Ball struck a
corset steel and glanced off. She will be
all right soon, but il was q close call,
my boy, and she undoubtedly saved
your life. >"
Cassie soon recovered consciousness,
and with joy in his every tone Bob con-
fessed what fool he had been ana
begged for forgiveness. OF course it was
sweetly granted, and he declared that
the marriage must take place just as
soon as she became ablo to stand before
the minister.
'And can I wear my corset, dear?"
she coyly asked.
''Wear what saved yo' fur me? Cas-
sic, | wouldn't have yo' throw that
away fur million dollars. Yo' kin
wear two of 'em if yo' want to, an if yo'