Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-03-07

nv zTS
THE TWO PISTOLS EXPLODED
Il wanted to talk to her about your ap-
preaching marriage. What month will
it take place. Burt?'
Next November, Mr.. Norris replied
Tyler. She'll be eighteen on the 14th
day OF that month, and mother made me
promise to wait until then. 1t has been
a pretty tough job, Mr.. Norris, to wait
two long years. but I'd wait ten rather
than lose her. Mr.. Norris. She is worth
it."
so she is, Burt" cried the banker.
land she has improved a hundred per
cent. since last year. You're a lucky dog,
Tyler, to draw such a prize. Marriage,
my boy, is a mere lottery, with a heap
of blank tickets in it, too. But, Burt, /
like o and l like little Ann, and I want
you to say to her hat when we come out
of the woods in September, and I have
been born again and feel that l have
blood enough in my veins to deserve being
called a man, that / intend coming to see
her for a certain purpose, and I don't
mind telling you what it is for. 1 sup
pose you'd be jealous if I didn't. 1 i know
how fellows act when they're in love,
ASuAt ulO u.s. SOuI ucNIl Is uUOuL u UOuuO
heavier than an ordinary mans, you must
be just so much crankier than the CON-
monplace lover"
nonsense.
I've written to my people in New
York. continued Norris, "to send me by
express ut the end of September ten crisp
one hundred dollar notes." Burt made
a gesture of protest.
Don't say a word, Tyler" cried the
banker. sit will do no good. This is pure
ly a personal matter between little Ann
and me; and that roll l intend placing in
one of her little hands and closing her
fingers around it and telling her that it
is a little nest egg which she must put
into the savings bank. in case anything
happens to You while you're tramping
through the woods"
Tyler srasped the bankers hand and
the tears gathered in his big brown eyes;
but Norris would listen to no expression
of thanks, and SO the conversation soon
turned to matters connected with their
trip.
AS Burt rose to bid his patron good
night his eye caught a glimpse of the large
and brilliant gem which had already
called forth such unstinted praise from
Kate, Caneff.
Don't wear that into the woods. Mr..
Norris" said Burt, in Il low, confidential
tone, pointing at the ring. II don't mean
to insinuate that the North Woods are
fr%eGuented by any l~ight-fingered gentry,
such as | am told stroll up and down
Broadway, but you might knock the stone
out with the butt of your rifle, or your
line might catch in it and make you lose
a trout fit for the kings table,"
Norris smiled at the guides enthusiasm
and answered good-naturedly:
Its al! very well. Burt, to say leave
the ring behind, but / haven't taken it off
for nearly a year, and very much doubt
that l car get it off. However, you're
right, INT off it comes, if the finger comes
with it,
SO saying, Norris laid hold of the ring.
and began Juggling at it so violently that
he drove tine sharp edge into the flesh,
causing the blood to flow.
''There you are, Burt said the banker.
"Let little Ann take care of it for me
while we are gone. Goodnight. I'll be
ready for you at break of day. Good
night"
"Good- night Mr.. Norris replied Tyler,
as he closed the door after him, and hur-
ried home to little Ann, who was begin
ming to wonder what had become Of her
tall lover.
Burt's heart was too full that night to
keep from running over, Inc although he
didn't tell little Ann and the folks in
plain words the good luck that was in
store for her, yet he limited darby at the
matter and promised her that she was
going to get something which would
make her very happy.
Little Ann laughed heartily ut Burt's
earnest manner. and said she hoped he
hadn't beer ordering her n pair of white
satin slippers and a box of kid gloves from
New York.
At any rate the little household went
to rest with light hearts that night, and
fairy milliners and dressmakers fitted
through little AIMS dreams till she heard
Burt's voice calling her to make haste and
come downstairs to say good-by.
All was hurry and skurry at Gilroy's
that morning long before daybreak.
Kate Caneff was justly proud of her
coffee and hot rolls on all occasions, but
that morning she outdid herself. Norris
was in the best of spirits and his face
already began to lose the pale and hag-
gard look which it wore on his arrival
at Gilroy's.
lust as the FIRST glimmer of daybreak
showed itself, Norris and his gigantic
guide turned their backs on the little hos
terry and were soon lost in the gloom Of
the great North Woods.
The first day out Norris did well. too
well in fact, for Burt was obliged to re-
mind him several times that they were
not walking for . wager.