El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-06-26
PAGtS 9 AND IL.

Gle pOD W III sup II. ~ 10 ioHAs
difference the music makes to his
way of thinking"
who's taking my name in vain"
Uncle Bob said, coming up to them
"Barbecue is most done, and. my, how
good it smells! If that rascal. Bert
Selby. don't hurry he'll lose deal entire
Iy. Promised he'd come at o'clock,
then sends word by the major that he
has to go somewhere else-on a FOOLS
Grand I've no doubt in the world"
81 have a doubt" Mary Spec said.
with soft laugh. 81 believe Mr.. Selby
has good reasons for whatever he
does.''
Just then a clear voice called cheerfiy
across the gate: Hello! Hello the
houser'
Light, stranger, and look at your
saddle-' Uncle Bob responded without
turning an eyelash. The newcomer sat
leaning a little from his horse, looking
the assemblage critically over VIII
loughby and Mary Spec were in the
foreground. He kept his eye on them
as he got down and walked inside. He
was taller than Willoughby and broad
er, but had no suggestion of burliness-
His bronZed face was clear cut. Com
monty its expression vas sort of hui
morous patience. Tonight it was touch
ed to gravity strongly tinctured with
concern. He started toward WillOugh-
by, but Major Dade drew him almost
forcibly out of earshot Of the rest.
"Did you see the fellow" he asked
Ibid he really have anything or was 1t
Just fash in the pan"
81 saw him all right enough. He had
pretty good ammunition. At least, he
thought so,'' Selby said, looking down.
please don't ask nothing more. major
I'll tell you the whole story-as soon as
the convention is over
"You will? Nice way to treat your
fathers oldest friend and your own po-
litical godfather, the major said half
pettishly.
''No, it don't look NICE Selby said
humbly. But, major, you know me
clean through. Did you ever know me
do anything. no matter how it looked,
that thar wasn't white mans reason
for when you got ter the bottom?"
NO. sir! But you have never before
been running for congressman in love
with the finest young woman in the
world" the major retorted
$50 you found out it is Miss Mary
Spec Selby said. Major, you're right
Heaven and the angels amt hardly
good enough for her. l feel that, down
ter the very bottom of my soul. Because
l do feel it, II won't do a mean thing
that might help me ter git her"
Il hate riddles. Men usually take
leave of their senses when they fall in
love. l wish you had waited until at
least the convention was over" Major
Dade said impatiently. Bert hardly
heard him. He was walking with long
strides toward Mary Spec and Will
lOughby.
"Howdy, Miss Mary Spec?' he said
with awkward brevity. AS he put her
hand within his broad palm he felt it
tremble delicately. AS he held it Mrs.
Lisenbee waddled up to them and said
in n loud whisper: Precious boy. L
don't blame you, not the least bit. You
couldn't help losing sleep and vitties
over her. She is the only living woman
ever l seen l was willing should have
you and my best feather bed
Major Dade said in his throat, Con
found herr then aloud, "Mrs. Lisen-
bee, won't you be kind enough to come
and tell me again about that pepper
cure?"
sI'n come in err decanter. major,
senbee returned, with a languishing
glance. She went off clinging happily
to his arm. Willoughby, who had fall
en- back a pace, laughed significantly.
The band was playing loudly, but Sell
by caught the laugh. He stood a little
straighter and said: I'm glad you've
seen nanny, Miss Mary Spec. She is
the best woman. She was pretty once.
Now, poor thing, she CANT seem ter un-
derStand that she amt young no more
and has fattened out of her good looks"
.'She seems very-kind," Mary Spec
said constrainedly. She, too, had caught
the amused contempt of Willoughby's
laugh. She shivered little, remember
ing the moon flowers and the honey
suckle breath and the subtle compel
ling of Shelby's unspoken love. She
knew he loved her. The knowledge
had brought her dangerously near to
loving him. In many ways she was
brave, even heroic. yet she grew wom-
an cowardly at the thought of affront
to the conventions of her world. VIII
loughby typified her world. Still she
would be kind to Selby. Mrs. Lisenbee
even should not make her slight him.
Supper! Supper! Come, all you that
amt lost your senses ner your appe-
titeS!' Uncle Bob shouted, coming
around from the back yard.
'Lemme take you out, Miss Mary
Specr Selby said, Offering his arm.
"She is going with me-" Willoughby
said, almost roughly. stepping TO the
other side. Mary Spec flushed pain
fully, but tried to laugh. Il believe
want to 90 with a better looking man