Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-12-14


and permitted him to hold it quite lit
tie while after he had got through shak-
ing it. After this gratifying reception
his visits increased in frequency, and
although, with great feminine tact, the
girl Kept his ardor within proper bounds
she did not repylse him, and it soon be-
came noiscd 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 Oh 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
full 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 20, and 20 it
must
''That's a way up on top gal sence
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.
81 hain't never yit found out that it
makes any difference who's around or
who amt around when want to make
talk play, retorted Allison.
"Some things gifts found out mighty
sudden, Ben Allison, an this amt goin
to be fur from one of 'em. want to
tell 20 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 I amt agoin
to stand it 10 mo-. )"
Unable you wouldn't mind tellin me
what business it is O. yours whar I
ride Long as the gals throwed yo' to
one side yo' amt got no say as to other
fellers pitclin rope at her. I"
eyer a liar when yo' say she's
throwed me, all 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 boss
O. yours all work him lively away from
here, or IA calamity's agoin to occur
right quick. -
"Yo' talk mighty brave fur castof
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 a slight girlish form DART
ed around the corner of the adobe stable
and sprang in front of Taylor. ALI
sons pistol rang out before he noted the
presence Of the girl, and with scream
Of pain she fell senseless to the ground.
The man who had fred 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
the house, and doctor from Waco,
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 it was a 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 q fool he had been and
begged for forgiveness. Of course it was
sweetly granted, and he declared that
the marriage must take place just as
soon as she became able to stand before
the minister.
''And can I wear my corset, dear?''
she coyly asked.
"Wear what saved yo' fur me? Gas.
sic, I wouldn't have 80 throw that
away fur a million dollars. Yo' KIN
wear two Of 'em if yo' want to- an if yo'
say SO I'll wear one myself. New
York Telegram.