The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-05
THE WRONG MAN.

Northwest territory to find q cattle range
unspoiled by settlers, Robert was put In
charge Of the ranch. This was equivalent
to promotion of Biddy also, for the Mis-
sourian, whose bony frame had been built
from the limestone waters of his native
state, was still the partisan and protector
Of the sappy youngster from northern Yer
mont.
"You are Canadian pony and / am
Hambletonian, said Robert. "But II we
like to trot together guess the ether bosses
Of this range will have to take our dust"
The friendship between these two men
was founded on complementary qualities,
and only woman could break it. The
woman in this instance was Miss Bell, the
schoolteacher at the Bend.
The burned child breads the fire, but
bird will return and again dash into the
flames. Roberts encounter with the fair
feIice cutter was like fame to the bird. He
sought an introduction and forthwith be-
came sutton for her hand. Biddy, the
only one In camp who took 1t upon HIM
self to criticise any act of Roberts, remon-
strated with him.
"You are a bird, aren't your" said he.
"Tho girl mesmerized you once. She'll
bantboozle you for twice and bounce you
for three times. What do you mean to dor"
~ mean to marry her II she will have
me-" replied Robert simply. Eyes, I
know told you plenty times that cow
boy had no business to marry, and that's
right, but I'm an exception. / don't know
how and I don't know why, but know
I'm hit hard. I've.got to have her,"
So Robert, big, hulking, 40 years old,
was in love for the first time in his whole
lifo. II force and earnestness avail, he
should win.
Less forceful, less earnest, half as old,
Biddy was in the same plight. His advice
to Robert to let the girl alone was in good
faith. He thought it the best thing-for
Robert-but he had a bad case of "physi-
clan, heal myself" upon his hands. He,
too, was resolved to win and marry Miss
Bell. He did not say SO to Robert, SO hard
Is 1t for most men to be open In love af
fair, and for time Robert knew nothing
of 1t. Every one else saw It. and Scotty
told Biddy he had better stand from under
"If you lock horns with Robert" said
he, "he'll get you down and walk all over
your frame" And Scotty added some re-
Elections on the law of supply and de-
mand. "If there were 20 sohoolma ANS
round here, you would not look at one Of
them, but because there is only one you
are fixing to get your skin so plumb full Of
bullet holes that the wind won't whistle as
1t blows through"
Biddy laughed and went his way to call
upon Miss Bell and urge his suit
And Robert went his way-which was
the same way--upon the same errand.
do not know whether Miss Bell gave
to either man any manner Of encourage
ment but as the dead shot is said to add a
notch to the marks on his pistol grip for
each man he drops, SO it is supposable that
about this time this young lady increased
her list of rejected suitors by the names
of these two cowboys.
1t was done In her kindest manner, this
rejection, and she had said to each: II am
sorry this has occurred, but since you have
so honored me, you must come to my we'd
ding. l am to be married next month in
the church at Hammond. l shall really
feel it If you do not come"
And each man had promised to be there.
1t had come to Roberts notice before
this time that Biddy was his rival, but
with the hope and intention of success
strong within him he had been affected
differently from Scotty' forecast. He went
straight to Biddy and told him to "go in
and win If you can. I don't want the girl
unless / can get her fair and hold her
against all Corners" But when both had
been refused, each man thought tho other
was accepted, and each waited for the 9TH
er to breach the subject.
1t was a difficult time. There were
dark looks, but no explosion. They avoid
cd each other, and this little cloud, no big
ger than woman's hand, seemed about
to cover the whole sky. Biddy asked for
leave of absence and got 1t. They did not
meet again until the wedding day.
That doy found Biddy still storming at
fate, but Robert, who had simpler and
stronger nature, had put his own disap-
pointmcnt behind him and was looking
forward with pride, If not pleasure, to his
friends happiness.
What follows is in Roberts words:
II got there carly and took seat in the
back part Of the church. wanted to be
where could get out II my nerve failed
me. Many people came in, and at last the
bride, looking very beautiful, came out
from side door with three men and stood
up in front. And was proud for Biddy
that he was going to have such flnewife
But couldn't see him anywhere, and the
preacher said any man having an impede
ment was to step forward
"Then looked for Biddy, hut he didn't
come. I had never before been at we'd
ding in church, and l thought maybe 1t
was the way to keep him corralled In the
little room until the last moment for fear
he would go back on to the old range.
The preacher went on saying things, and
I didn't pay close attention, because was