The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-07-16
THE WRONG MAN.

charge Of the ranch. This WINS equivalent
to promotion Of Bddy 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 n Canadian pony and / am a
Hamblctoninn, " said Robert. but If we
like to trot together guess the other bosses
Df this range will have to take our dust.
The friendship between these two men
was founded on complementary qualities,
and only u woman could. break 1t. The
woman in this instance was Miss Bell, the
schoolteachcr ut the Bend
Tho burned child breads the fire, but
bird will return and again dash into the
flames. Roberts encounter with the fair
fence cutter was like flame to the bird. He
sought an introduction and forthwith be-
came n sutton for her hand. Biddy, the
only one in camp who took it upon him
self to criticse any act of Roberts, remon-
stratcd with him.
"You are bird, aren't your" said he.
1.-THE girl mesmerizcd you once. She'll
bamboozle you for twice and bounce you
for three times. What do you mean to dor"
81 mean to marry her If she will have
me-" replied Robert simply Eyes, l
hnOW iOlN guu plSIJy blIlleS lnaU u cow
boy had no business to marry, and that's
right, but I'm an exception. l don't know
how and don't know why, but l 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
life. If 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 bad case of "physi-
clan, heal thyself" upon his hands. He,
: too, was resolved to win and marry Miss
Bell. He did not say so to Robert, SO hard
is it for most men to be open in love af
fair, and for u time Robert knew nothing
of it. 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 schoolma 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
it 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 Grand
l 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
f about this time this young lady increased
: her list Of rejected sutors by the names
of these two cowboys
1t was done in her kindest manner, this
: rejection, and she had said to EACH 81 am
sorry this has occurred, but since you have
so honored me, you must come to my wed
ding. l am to be married next month in
: the church at Hammond. l shall really
4 feel it if you do not come"
And each man had promised to be there.
1t had come to Roberts notice before
this timc that Biddy was his rival, but
t with the hope ard intention of success
:. strong within Kim he had been affected
differently from Scotty' forecast. He went
straight to Biddy and told him to ego in
o and win if you can. l don't want the girl
n unless l can get her fair and hold her
against all Corners But when both had
been refused, each man thought the 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
ed each other and this little cloud, no big
ger than n woman's hand, seemed about
u cover the whole sky. Biddy asked for
leave of absence and got it. They did not
+ meet again until the wedding day.
That day found Biddy still storming at
y fate, but Robert, who had simpler and
:, stronger nature, had put his own disap
d pointment behind him and was looking
a,r1 10 NfrN1a t.,h az
" friends happiness.
IS What follows is in Roberts words:
II got there early and took a seat in the
q back part Of the church. / wanted to be
where 1 could get out If my nerve failed
u me. Many people came in, and at last the
3 bride, looking very beautiful, came out
Il from a side door with three men and stood
up in front. And l was proud for Biddy
that he was going to have such a fine wife
But couldn't see him anywhere, and the
preacher said any man having an impedi
ment was to step forward.
"Then looked for Biddy but he didn't
come. 1 had never before been at wed
ding in church, and l thought maybe II
was the way to keep him corralled in tht
Il little room until the last moment for feal
. he would go back on to the old range.
i The preacher went ON saying things ant
l. thinking how pretty she looked, until {
T. bold man in a Hereford shirt and low neck
= ed vest took her hand and the preacher
. said, I pronounce you man and wife.
J. "Then jumped up wild. Great Scott,
p / yelled, that's the wrong mani
"At that instant. somebody clapped 6
hand over my mouth and hustled me out o.
e the church.
lie "'If you don't want to get shut up fol
lie drunk and disorderly,' said Biddy, for HI
Y it was who dragged me out, stop thai
V racket
What's up" said soon as could ge
my breath. Why aren't you in there get
= ting married.
:" Il am not in there getting married.
said Biddy, because she wouldn' have me
thought you were to marry her today
y What Mef' said I. Il never was with
Il In thousand miles of it,
EWhv liIY,t oI1 tnanpj acE