The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-03-17
THE WRONG M AN.
by q. II. DuNHAM.


tie range unspoied by settlers, Robert
wns put in charge of the ranch. This
was equivalent to promotion OF
Biddy also, for the Missourian, 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
Vermont,
"You are a Canadian pony and / am
a Hnmblctonian, said Robert; "but
if we like to trot together, l guess the
other hosses on 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. Tho woman in this instance
| was Miss Bell, the schoolteacher mt the
Bend.
The 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 IN in
PRODUCTION aud forthwith became n
suitor for her hand. Biddy, the only
one in camp who took it upon himself
to criticise any act OF Roberts, re-
monstrated with him.
"You are bird, aren't you?' said
he; 'the girl mesmerized you once,
she'll bamboozle you for twice, and
bounce you for three times. What
do you mean to do?"
al mean to marry her il she will
have me-" replied Robert, simply.
Eyes, know told you plenty times
that cowboy had no business to
marry, and that's right, but I'm an
exception. don't know how and l
don't know why, but know I'm hit
hard. got to have her."
So Robert, big, hulking, forty years
old, was in love for the first time in
his whole life. If force and earnest
ness 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 physician heal thy
SELF upon his hands. He, too, was
resolved to win and marry Miss Bell.
He did not say so to Robert, 50 hard
is it for most men to be open in love
affair, and for a time Robert knew
nothing of it. Everyone 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 reflections on the law of
supply and demand. "If there were
twenty schoolma' ans round here yoi
would not look at one of thom, 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.
Aud Robert went his wuy, which was
the same way, upon the same errund.
L do not know whether Miss Bell
gave to either man any encourage
ment, but ms the dend-s shot is said to
add II notch to the marks on his
pistol-grip for each mau he drops, so
1t is supposable that about this time
this young lady increased her list oi
rejected suitors 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 wedding. L am to
be married next month in the church
Mt Hammond. l shall really feel it if
you do not come"
Aud each man had promised to be
, there.
1t had come to Roberts notice be,
fore this time that Biddy was his rival,
! but with the hope aud intention o
D success strong within him, he had
: been affected differently from Scotty'
forecast. He went straight to Biddy
: and told him to Ego in aud win if yol
can. / don't want the girl unless