The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-11-15
miscellaneous.
FETTERED.


was one of the most important per-
sonages in the country. In fact, he
still holds a conspicuous position in
most cities of the vigorous, impetuous
West.
Several years ago Sheriff Black, of
Cheyenne, was much annoyed by the
persistence and determination of
sundry suitors for the hand of his
fair daughter, Miss Helen.
AS is always the case in mining
districts, the male population far out
numbered the gentle sex, and Miss
Helen, who was a handsome brunette,
would have been belle among far
severer critics than the youths of
Cheyenne.
She had graduated at st. Louis,
and besides being a gifted musician
was devout worshipper of nature
and fond of outdoor exercise.
Almost any fine evening in summer
passer-by might hear her rich mezzo
voice accompanying her guitar to
some ringing "ballad of the plains"
Unconscious was she of the fact that
the melody fioated out from the
shadows of the cottonwood trees and
mingled with the broad, effulgent
moonlight, and that many Il luckless
youth dated hopeless love from the
first evening when he had dropped
in to help the sheriff and the old SER
want in making an audience.
Miss Helen cared little for the ad-
miration of men, but accepted it as
matter of course, having been brought
up among them. She enjoyed her.
self in a fashion of her own, with her
books, guitar, sketch book and her
"il1fira
Two of her lovers, however seemed
to gain more favor than the rest. In
fact, popular opinion was puzzled as
to which would win.
One of them was tall, athletic
young Westerner, who was as bright
and invigorating of presence as the
air he breathed, and i'll whose clear
blue eyes not a shadow of deceit was
visible. Handsome, for sure, but so
sturdy and independent that he i'm
pressed one as young giant.
He was all ardent geologist, could
analyze find" as well as an expert,
loved his mountais and worshipped-
Miss Helen.
But with all his devotion Joe was
discreet young fellow, and held his
curly head up in defiance of mankind
in general and his rival in particular,
and he never let the fair Helen feel
too sure of her conquest.
The aforesaid rival was wealthy
Young mine owner from Chicago-all
that is conveyed in the term "a pol
ished gentleman. He had laughed
heartily when ON departing for his
new home his Chicago friends had
iokingly predicted that he would lose
his heart to some Western beauty.
But here he was, eager to lay his fate
and fortune at the feet of the sheriffs
queenly daughter.
One bright, breezy day in Septem-
Der Helen cantered off soon after
dinner with some sketching material,
ostensibly to make some sketches of
the autumn scenery, but really to
commune with nature, the only
mother she had ever known, and to
decide what answer she should give
on the morrow to her wealthy lover,
who that day had asked her to be his
wife. She told him that she must
read her own heart before she could
answer, and he hoped for favorable
reply.
Joe had been offended by one of
her hasty speeches week before.
They were talking about Russell,
warmly that she knew of no one
whose society she preferred. As soon
as the impulsive words were spoken
she repented, but Joe rode away
with a look in his blue eyes that had
haunted her ever since.
Somehow Joe's naughty head flung
back like stag at bay, kept boom
ing up before her mental vision, WI hen
duty demanded that she be thinking
of Russell and his flattering offer.
The hours wore on, and SO preoccu-
pied was she that she did not observe
the heavy clouds that were rolling
black and massive down the noun
tain side.
Suddenly a large drop splashed in
her face, and she looked about her i'll
alarm. A heavy equinoctial storm
seemed almost upon her.
Wildfire sprang forward at the
touch of the whip, and literally flew
in the direction of the house.
The great clouds were rolling over
the hills like giant ogres clad in mist.
Thunder and sharp, vivid Tightening
followed, and then the deluge.
Wildfire dashed ON until they came
to the creek, and then the girl drew
back in dismay.
| The creek was IOdllllllS lOTTeuU,
and she could not see the bridge.
Suddenly she heard a mans voice
shouting to her, and in few minutes
Joe on his tough little mustang was
beside her. He wore a buffalo coat
and threw a large cloak of her own
| about her shoulders. She did not
wait to ask how he happened to come
for her She forgot that he was angry
and that she had hurt him. She
reached out her firm, white hand and
| caught Joe's extended fingers, and
| side by side the two horses were urged
across the bridge.
They galloped home in silence, and
when they reached there and Helen
stepped into the friendly shelter of
| the broad veranda, she noted the fact
! that Joe led both horses to the stable
and put them up.
| Half an hour later, Joe, arrayed in
! Sheriff Blacks dressing gown and
slippers (articles brought by Miss
! Helen from the East, was exploiting
| to the rosy, demure young mistress
! of the house that her father had been
! suddenly called to the next town, and
might not return before early morning
HE asked me TO keep II sort of a
1 lookout over the place, and when |
rode over to ask you TO invite me to
take tea and found you gone, hasten
ed after YOU
This speech over, an embarrassed
silence followed. 1t was broken by