The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-05
1.n WkUa, -AN.

charge of the ranch mis- was equivalent
90 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 sapry youngster from northern Yer
mont
lyon are Canadian pony and I am n
Hamblctonian, said Robert. "But if we
like To trot together guess the other hosses
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 IL. The
woman in this instance was Miss Bell, the
scbooltcacher at the Bend.
Tho burned child breads the fire, but q
bird will return and again dash into the
flames. Roberts encounter with the fair
fence cutter was like fame TO the bird He
sought'an introduction and forthwith be-
cane a suitor for her hand. Biddy, the
only one in camp who took 10 upon him
self to criticise any act Of Roberts, remon-
stratcd with him.
"You are bird, aren't your" said he.
''The girl mesmerizcd You once. She'll
bamboozlc you for twice and bounce you
for three times. What do You mean to dos"
II mean to marry her If she will have
NO." 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. i don't know
how and don't know why, but / know
I'm hit hard. I've got to have her."
So Robert big, hulking, 40 years DID,.
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. Ho thought it the best thing-for
Robert-but he had bad case of "physi-
clan, heal thysolf' upon his hands. He,
too, was resolved to win and marry Miss
Bell. He did not say so 10 Robert, so hard
is it for most men to be open In q love af-
fair, and for n time Robert knew nothing
of It. Every ono else saw it. and Scotty
told Biddy he had better stand from under
IF you lock horns with Robert, I" 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.
mnnd. IF there were 90 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 tho 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 bis 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 dcad shot Is said to add
notch to the marks on his pistol grip foi
each man he drops, 30 It Is supposable tina,
about this time this young lady increased
her list Of rejected suitOrs by the names
Of these twOcowboys
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
% honored me, you must come to my wed
ding. am TO be married next month In
the church at Hammond. / shall really
feel IL II 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 hopo 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 II you can. don't want the girl
unless / can get her fair and hold htI
against all comcrs." But when both had
been refused. each man thought the other
was accepted, and each waited for the 9th
er to broach the subject.
1t was a difficult time There vert
dark looks, but no explosion. They avoid
Ell each other, and this little cloud, no big
ger than a woman's hand, seemed about
TO cover the whole sky. Biddy asked fol
leave of absence and got It, They did not
meet again until the wedding day.
That day found Biddy still storming mt
fate, but Robert, who had simpler and
stronger nature, had put his own disap
pointment behind him and was looking
forward with pride, IL not pleasure, to his
friends happiness.
What follows is in Roberts words:
II got there early and took seat In the
back part of the church. wanted To be
where could get out il my nerve failed
me. Many people came in, and ut last the
bride, looking very beautiful, came out
from side door with three men and stood
mp in front. And was proud for Biddy
that he was going TO have such q fine wife.
But couldn't SEQ him anywhere, and the
preacher said any man having an impedi.
ment was To step forward.
"Thcn looked for Biddy, but ne didn't
come. had never before been at wed
ding in church, and thought maybe IL
was the way 10 Keep him corralled In Tn,
little room until the last moment for feai
he would go back on To the old range.
The preacher went on saying things, anG
j didn't pay close attention, because / wa.
thinking how pretty she looked, until
bold man i'm a Hereford shirt and low neck
ed vest took her hand, and the preacher
said, Il pronounce you man and wife.
Then / jumped upwild. Great Scott,
1yelled, that's the wrong mani
AT that instant somebody clappcd u
hand over my mouth and hustled me out OF
the church.
If YOU don't want To get shut mp foi
drunk and disoricrly, said Biddy. for he
IL was who dragged me out, stop that
racket
whats upg' said soon as could get
my breath. Why aren't you in there get
ting marricC!'
am not in there getting married,
said Biddy, because sho wouldn't have me
j thought you were to marry her today
What, Me!' saidI. Il never was with
In a thousand miles Of it,
e. hv .ltAp Won puy ~ III