The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-21

For This Reason There Was No Occasion
for Sunrise.

Tor
Tho SIN beat down that blistering after
noon on the little adobe cabin just be-
vond the arroyo and on the far side IN
the shade. sat two swelterins COW punch
e,-s with a pack of cards between them.
1t was too hot for even this mild ever
else but it served to keep their minds
off the weather, and they played iaziy
along. At last one of them threw his
cards down.
by gravy, Bill" he exclaimed Il can't
play any NOR
WHATS the natter" inquired Bill.
"Too not for your
NO: faint that though the Lord
knows it's most hot enough for anything.
It's that little lgirl down there at ola
SlOsum's."
whats she got TO do with the gamer
asked Bin, in 81 rprise
Nothing much. i guess. but good deal
with me"
How" and Bnn picked up the pack
and began shutting the cards aimlessly.
"Oh. / don't know
stuck on herr" inquired Bill. with q
laugh which struck his companion as
rather harsh.
..Not exactly, ] guess
shes the purtiest thing IN TINS FaAey'
said Bill, admiringly.
u know it," admitted the other. 81 was
down there last night and she was sweet
er than ever
Well" impatiently. what are you 60
ing 10 do about it,
What would you adviser
"That depends on what kind of advice
you want"
u was thinking about marrying her"
Bill gave a long whistle and stopped
shufiling the cards.
What. marry a halfbreed. and you hav-
ing the kind OF folks you have back In the
east?' he said. seriously.
Il don't see how ! can get out or II nom
orably." he reluctantly confessed.
Nothing between you. is there2' was
the nervous inquiry.
"Oh. no; but YOU see, I've been going
down there to see her for six months now,
and she has been kind OF expecting me 10
come. / didn't think much about IL at
FIRST. but now. blame me II don't think
ahsit her pretty much all the time. The
last four or five tines I've been to see
her she showed me straight that she
thought a lot Of me. and last night she
told me everything. and said if left her
heart would break and she would drown
herself in the river. l can't stand that
Won know, and besides, ia rather marry
her myself than have anybody else marry
her.
"she'n git old man Slocum's property
when he goes over the divide said Bill
thouehtfully. "and that's worth a pile"
YES. but | don't care for that. It's the
girl and my own honorable action in the
matter
They talked until the sun had sunk be-
hind the mountain and by that time II
was decided that Bill would 20 with his
friend Joe, and settle the business with
the girl's father. old man Slocum. Early
the next morning they set out and before
the sun had reached the hot place Ia the
heavens they were at Slocum's.
where's Meg?" asked Joe. after they
had passed the compliments of the morn
ing.
"Oh. she's skipped" answered Siocum,
with laugh.
"SlSipped?' gasped Joe.
Yes; skipped sometime In the night
with pete Smiley. and she needn't a done
il. fer Pete was agreeable TO me. and he
laughed again.
Joe. felt something rise In his throat
and drop back again Ike piece OF lead.
Bill looked at him curiously-
Gals will be gals" said Bill. turning
to Slocum. but what we come down here
10 see you about. Mr. Slocum. is cattle,Y
and he carried IL through nobly.-Detroit
Free Press.