The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-08-01

thing don't turn back on any account.
DO it or drop in your tracks facing it,
It's a whole lot better to be shot be-
tween the eyes than it is to be kicked
behind. That amt elegant, but it's
Gods truth. In the third place, tie. I'D
to Craig Thompson for anything that
you can foresee at this writing, and if
he happens to have one of his fits on
don't you mind 'em. They amt for
everybody and they won't be for you.
Here comes two Of my boys. They'll
take this critter, and we can ride in
more sociably."
Ihey were soon relieved of the care
OF the steer, and then they rode on ST.
lently side by side for some distance.
"Why wouldn't Dick ever let YOU
come here before?' asked Thompson
presently.
II don't know. He would never tell
me-" replied Lisle.
"Well, can tell you'
"You can! WHY'S it,"
"Pll tell you by asking a question or
two. Didn't you wing one of my cow
boys, a fellow named Cummings, about
year ago when he was over at your
place after a bunch of steers that had
strayed away?"
eyes,
what did you do it for?'
Because he was impertinent'
Exactly. What did he say"
He said that I was cut out for a wo-
man and spoiled in the making. con-
vinced him that I was quicker with
my gun than he was, anyway"
Correct. He amt forgot it, and he.
won't very soon. He's gone back east.
but he left piece of one of his ribs
out here to remember you by. How
ever, that is why Dick don't want you
to come here. See?''
NO.
"He's afraid somebody else will say
the same thing; that's ALL"
Lisle brought his horse to a sudden
stand. His face darkened and his
black eyes flashed ominously.
do you say the same thing?'' he,
asked quietly, but in tone which con-
veyed much more than did the words
that were uttered
Lord what fire eater you are! No!
[ don't 'say the same thing, but it would
be compliment if I did, for women
are hanged sight better than men,
But that amt here nor there Some
Of the boys will say it, or something
very much like it, and if you are going
to shoot every one that does you had
better lose no time in selecting a good
place to start your graveyard. You
WON'T be long in filling it,
'Why should they say such a thing
as that?"
'Well, there are a good many rea-
sons. Are you going to take what I
say friendly or are you going to get
mad?''
"I'll not be angry
"Good. Well, I s'pose it's because
you amt developed much. You're IS,
and you look in some ways like boy
of II. Your voice amt changed enough
to suit the taste Of such people as like
to arrange other peoples affairs for
'em. That's one thing. It's a good
voice, but it's soft and tender and kind
er cooling, like girls. 'Twon't hurt it
any if you add a pound or two to it's
weight
"What else?'
Nothing else that can just put my
finger on unless it's your whole outfit.
You have spent so much of your time
in the house reading and studying,
playing your piano and such like that
your face has got something in it that
men don't wear much out here. It's
called refinement, and these cusses
round here think that all the refine
ment in the world belongs to women.
l want you to understand that every
reason that any Of the crowd such as
you will find here can have for telling
you that you are like a woman is a
compliment, and you ought to take it
as one. Don't get mad. Smile and
look pleased, for, Lisle, there amt no
better thing on the top Of Gods earth
than a good woman"
IT don't believe that you know" said
Lisle quietly, but with such deep con-
viction that Thompson gazed at him
earnestly for moment in silence.
"Don't II" he said presently in a
voice that was perceptibly altered.
"Well, maybe I don't, but think do.
Some day, maybe, I'll tell you the story
that makes me think so. Now, tell me
why you said that"
tMy father has taught me ever since
l can remember that women are the
curse Of the world, and l believe him.
He is wise concerning everything else,
and be would not instli me falsely"
An audible grunt was the only reply
that Craig Thompson made, and the
two rode on in silence several rods.
would like to see a woman" re-
marked Lisle, permitting his train Of