Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-01-13

COuluH DcIt you l u DeltcT uult.
There was just the least bit of con
temptuous emphasis on that word
"you," and Joe noticed it. A slightly
shamed, panied look came over his
poor. thin face as he faltered:
"W-well, l didn't keer much for her
no way. l was just fOolin' from the
first"
My very deliberate opinion Is that
this statement was a lie. 1t is my opin
ion. furthermore, that in this single
ungrammatical, mispronounced, mutt
lated lie there was loftiness OF
thought and purity of purpose such as
an angel in heaven might well aspire
to. Bill did not take any such view
of the matter. though, for he only look.
ed up and rctortcd angrily:
"My opinion of anybody that would
go foolin' round woman when he
didn't care nothing for her is that he
amt much man."
Hes pretty small potatoes--he shore
is" put in Tom Jackson. the fourth
man at the branding. Nobody noticed
the remark particularly at the time
but subsequent events caused them to
think a great deal about it later on.
I'm surprised at you. joe said Bill
The ghost of forced smile lowered
pteously on Joe's lips for moment,
but he merely rubbed his forehead with
the knob on his wrist in the nervous
way peculiar to him OH such occasions,
and said nothing.
Aside from one or two little incidents
like this-which are hardly worth
counting as eXccptiOns-Bilrs coutrship
was an illustration Of the fact that,
Notwithstanding certain very e.mi-
nent authority to the contrary. the
course of true love does occasionally
run smooth-for awhile. In this case
it ran smooth down to The very day set
for the wedding The ceremony was
to be performed at what was known as
Plum Creek school house, and early in
the morning Bill went with n number
of his friends to get ready for the fes-
tivitics. In some countries 1t might
not be considered as Il part of the
grOOm's duties to make these prepara-
tions. but in Texas 1t is etiquette for
anybody to do anything provided there
was not some one else to do 1t.
The ceremony was to take place at 10
o'clock. Perhaps half an hour before
that time Joe and his friend Jim Smith
were riding through the timber which
always abounds around creek bottoms
in Texas. and were much astouished
when, at sudden bend In the trail
they came across the supposed prospec-
tive bride. She was on horseback and
unaccompanied
Hello" exclaimed Joe in surprise.
"Are you lost"
YES" answered May, with nervous
laugh. 81 never was so glad to see
anybody in my life. This here creek
bottom timber's so thick wildcat
would mighty nigh get lost in it-let
alone woman"
II should think you and Bill had
been to Plum Creek schOolhouse often
enough to know the way by this time?''
II amt goin' to Plum Creek" said
May with foolish giggle.
what! Amt you goin' to get mar
riedT'
"Yes."
"Well. Bills at the schoolhouse now,
waitin' for ye."
May tossed her head and then giggled
again.
II amt watin' for him none," she
said. II might as we'll tell you now as
any time. I'm goin' to be married to
Tom Jackson this morning at Round
Timbers. I've lost my way there and
! want you to tell me how to 60"
At the mention of Jackson's name
joes face hardened for moment He
was the man who had been so quick to
take Bits part in the quarrel with his
brother Then Joe began to reason
with Mary as to her conduct, but very
few moments sutliccd to show him the
futility of the attempt. Promptly
changing his plans, he gave her a de-
tailed account of the way to Round
Timbers.
Say" interrupted jim Smith, who
had listened in profound establishment
to the whole conversation, you're mis-
taken about"
mo, l amt" retorted Joe. 1.-The
trails been changed lately. That's all
right, May. Come on, jim"
81 still think you were mistaken
about that trail" said Jim, as the two
men rode on together.
mo, | wasn't mistaken" said Joe. II
just lied-that was ALL l did 1t for
Bills sake. If May goes the way sent
her she'll not get to Round Timbers
this morning."
After they had ridden few moments
in silence, Joe began again:
"Jim, old fellow, for Gods sake don't
let on that you've seen or heard moth
ing this morning. It'll be plenty tough
on Bill, anyway"
Il shore won't" said Jim.
There was quite a crowd assembled
around the door of the little log school
house when these two men rode up
: The groom was there and so was the
preacher; so also were the people. The
house was decorated within and with
out with flowers and leaves and other
ornaments more or less appropriate to
the occasion. However, there was one
ornament generally considered neces.
sary on wedding occasions which was
still missing-namely the bride.
"See anything of May lately?" asked
Bill, stepping to the front as the new
Corners rode up. There was just trace
of anxiety in his voice as he spoke.
"Naw," answered Joe promptly. His
face looked perfectly unconcerned as
he spoke, but In a very few moments a
cloud began to rest upon 1t. l suspect,