Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-05-15
HOW MIhT GOT
EVEN

IF MILF SoWASH had known there
i was to be dance at Old Man Lasha-
baugh's he would have stopped at the
| Flying Wand and oyerhauled his war
sack for the conventional white shirt,
stand-up collar, red neektie and black
diagonal suit, which, with pair Of fine,
high-heeled calfskin boots, made up
his gala costume. As it was, he pushed
up along Elkhead without going near
the ranch, where the cook would have
told him, and it was not until he rode
up to Lashabaugh's and saw the string
OF ponies outside, the lights inside and
heard the lively scrape of the fiddle
and the stentorian voice OF the caller
that he had any idea of it.
still, he was not going TO turn back.
He knew that most Of the boys were
dancing within that log ranchhouse-
and the girls without exception, I'M
less one Of them happened to be dam
gerously i'll; for girls were scarce in
HoPHu county, and about the only way
for maiden TO escape the importuni-
ties of round dozen proffered escorts
TO dance was TO accept the first one
that came along of course, always
supposing that there was not recog-
nized preemptor.
The dance was in full swing-literal-
", for Steve Whaley had just called
grand right and left, and this socia-
bic figure was being executed by three
sets with great vigor. Mat Barkdoll,
from Hat Creek, was seated in a chair
that had been set on the kitchen table
in one corner Of the room and was
saving out Buffalo Girls" on that cele-
brated fiddle Of his.
promenade ALTO your seats!"
shouted Mat, and then Mrs. Lasha-
baugh, who had been nodding and smil-
ing at Aiilt in the pauses Of the dance,
came bustling forward TO greet him.
"Why didn't YOU come before? But
then you amt never too late. And /
bet you haven't had your supper, and
Of course the fire Is ont in the stove
Never mind there's some cold pork an
beans an biscuit an some o. my plum
pie. guess you won't go hungry. I'm
real glad you whisper, Milt!
The new schoolma'am's here. Hank
Dyson brought her-that's her with
Belle now"
Milt looked and saw a slight little
woman, with a pale face and large,
soft-brown eyes, and as he looked the
brown eyes met his for an instant
lust an instant-but It was enough.
"I1l get you something TO eat the
first thing" said Mrs Lashabaugh
1--WE eat, :" said Milt "You don't need
70 trouble. l met up with the mess
wagon at Pass creek. ! was going on
TO Bakers gap an | calculated I'd stay
here tonight. ] didn't get no word
that there was doings here"
"Well. II you don't want TO eat you
can dance. Here's Belle now. I've got
a partner for you, Belle"
Belle Lashabaugh, fresh, rosy beau
" Of IS. showed her white teeth in a
dazzling smile "Howdy, Mill" she
said. "Do you want this waltz? III
you do you want to speak quick !
amt going to take ma S word for H."
II amt dressed for the part, said
sowash. you count me out tonight,
Belle. / did not bring my coat even
lest tied on my slicker behind the sad
die an pulled out. I'll set down an
look on"
The girl simply laid her hand on
the blue flannel shirt sleeve and led
him into the middle Of the floor. The
next moment they and the other II
couples were whirling away to the
strains Of "Sweethearts." Several times
Sowash caught a glimpse Of the school
ma'am. She was dancing with Emory
Jackson. Of the Flying w" Judging
from her radiant smile, the pink flush
IN her cheeks and the light in her eyes
she seemed TO be enjoying IL. Nit felt
his old liking for Emory turn TO bit
ter hatred ON the instant and his soul
was filed with envy Of the young mans
close-shayen and general "slicked up
condition. When the waltz was fin
isbed Belle. without a word Of warn
ing. walked him up to the divinity and
introduced him.
Nnt was usually particularly self
possessed Young man, but as the brown
ewes looked up at him coolly and not
altogether approviugly he felt his self
nossession desert him and a hot blush
mount 10 the tips q his ears. lie found
himself stammering out a request for
a dance.
"I'm rather tired" she said. i hope
YOU will excuse me.
Milt backed away somehow and was
presently Hospitality entreated by old
man Lashabaugh, who had something
81 the top log outside that he wished
ia show him. They wiped their mouths
sfter they had inspected il and reen-
tered the house by the front door They
came in quietly That is how Milt over
heard the little schoolma'am talking
- Belle in the passageway
.No. wasn't tired" she said, but
don't want YOU TO think that I'm
stuck up or fnicky, my dear. like
xour western freedom more than can