Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-11-06

"You are, Bart. There's no denying it,
mate; you are"
"Ay! a regular right-down hugely one.
But | thought as p'r'haps as her heart
were soft and sore, she might feel little
tort man whose heart also was very
soft and sore"
her you're here"
| NAY, nay, don't do that, man." whis-
pered the big fellow, hoarsely. II burst
cnt ask her again. It'll have to come
from her this time"
mot it, Ask her, Bart. She likes
you"
"Ay, she likes me, bless her, aud she's
allus got a kind word for fellow as
wishes Almost as he was her dog"
| What's the good o. that, lad? Better
be her man"
SAY, of course; but If you can't be her
man, why not be her dog? She would
pat your head and pull your ears; but l
alus feels as if she'd never pat my head
or pull my ears, Abel, lad; you see. Pm
such hugly one. Blubbering ehi'
Does nothing else. She don't let me
see 1t; but know. She don't sleep of a
night, and she looks wild and queer. as
Sanderson's lass did who drowned her
self. | wish | had hold of him. I'd like
to break his neck"
Bart put on his cap quickly, glanced
toward the inner room. where there was
sound as Of someone singing mourn
fully, and then in a quick, low whisper:
why not ladY' said he; why not"
Break his neck, BartT
The big fellow nodded.
will you join in and risk it?"
Won't II"
Then we WILL" said Abel Curse
him, he's most broke her heart"
Cause she loves him." growled Bart
thoughtfully.
Eyes, a silly, soft thing. She might
have known"
Then we mustn't break his neck, Abel,
lad" said Bart, shaking his head, Then
as IL bright thought had suddenly flash
ed across his brain Look here. Wen
wait for him, and them ar'n't afeard Of
his sword-we'll make him marry her."
You don't want him to marry her."
said Abel, staring, and utilizing the time
by strapping his knife on his boot.
May, l don't; but she do, poor lass"
said Bart, with sigh, land il | can do
what she wants, will as long as live"
"Ah! you always was fond Of her,
Bart" said Abel, slowly.
"Ay, l always was, and always shall
be, my lad. But look here whispered
Bart, leaning toward his companion, IF
be says he won't marry her, and goes
and marries that fine madame-wilh you
do itY
"Pll do anything you'll do, mate" said
Abel, in low voice.
Then well make him, my lad"
Hist! whispered Abel, as the inner
door opened, and Mary entered the room,
looking haggard and wild, to gaze sharply
from one to the other, as if she suspect
ed that they had been making her the
subject of their conversation.
"How do, MaryY' said Bart, in con-
sciously awkward fashion.
"Ah, Bart!' she said, coldly, as she
gazed full in his eyes till he dropped his
own and moved toward the door.
I'm just going to take look at my
boat, Abel, lad he said. Coming
down the shoreT
Abel nodded, and Bart shufled out Of
the doorway, utterng a. sigh of relief as
soon as he was in the open air, and TAX
drops of perspiration from his brow.
Shes too much for me, somehow" he
muttered, as he sauntered down toward
the shore. Il allus thought as being in
love with a CELL would be very nice, but
it ar'n't. She's too much for me-"
What were you and Bart Wrigley
talking about?" said Mary Dell as soon
as she was alone with her brother.
l.,l
his netting needle.
What about meT'
"All sorts o things
What do you mean2'
What do l mean? Why, you know.
About your being a fool-about the fine
captain and his new sweetheart. Why,
you might ha' knowed, Mary"
Look here, Abel" cried Mary, catch
ing him by the wrist. and dragging at it
so that he started to. his feet, and they
stood face to face, the stunted. brother
and the wei-grown girl wonderfully equal
in size, AMI extremely alike in physique
and air, IF you dare to talk to NE again
like that. we shall quarrel"
well. let's quarrel, then"
WHAT cried Mary, starting, for this
was a new phase In her brothers. char
acter.
II say, let's quarrel, then" cried Abel,
folding his arms. do you, think I've
been blind? Why, it has nearly broken
poor old Bart's heart"
"Abelp'
81 don't care, Polly, l Will speak now,
You don't like Bart"
81 do He is good, true fellow as
ever stepped. but"
Eyes, l know. 1t aren't nat'ral foI
you to like him as he likes you; but
you've been a fool, Polly, to listen to that
fine jack-a dandy, and;-curse him; III
half kill him next time we meet!
Mary tried to speak, but her emotion
choked her.
! "You-you don't know what you are
). saying" she painted at last.
Perhaps not" he said, in a low. nut
tering way; "but know what I'm goinl
to do"
Dor she cried, recovering herself, ant