The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-03-20

IL
fairly into Fla Strait, the farrier of his
own troop. Like the corporal, Fin was
a veteran, and the two We're chums Of
long standing. The farrier's room in
the stables had been the scene of
many quiet carouse, with none to
join in but the cronies themselves and
when Healy's pockets were empty and
his throat hot coppered of morning
be was always sure of a punch COM
pounded from Fins stock of alcohol,
supplied to the farrier as a horse medi-
cine. Together they had come out Of
the war, together Joined the regular
army, together had campaigned in~fre-
quent Indian risings, and together they
vaguely supposed, though only in their
cups did they talk of it, they would be
pensioned off and look after the well
fare Of the old troop from a distance.
GLOW, Healyv'
'How, Finv'
Healy twirled his stick like a drum
major and chirruped Garry Owen"
If he had looked straight at old Fin. he
might have been struck-with the fact
that the farrier's air was as guilty as
his own. Strait, usually ready with
rude jocosity of greeting, now stood
still and gazed with great thoughtful
ness across the slope of the snowy
plains, beyond the thread of cotton
woods which fringed the creek, to the
scattered houses of the little town be-
You'd. The evening sunlight falling
upon the low roofs, islands in a sea of
snow, softened the sordidness of the
rude, wooden shacks, touched them
with the artists wand and made them,
from group Of unseemly intruders, al
most an acceptable part in the lonely
grandeur of the wilderness. Healy's
eyes unconsciously sought the same
scene. His whistle died away, and his
whirling stick dropped to the ground.
The two hardened old campaigners
were usually as remote from sentiment
as gun barrels, yet now they stimuli
taneously sighed-the abrupt, gruff
gasp of storm weathered veteranhood,
yet, Enthusiastically as the soft breath
Of girl, the sigh Of happiness and
content and love.
At that unexpected and startling
eruption from the breast of either each
turned as one caught in deed of dark
ness and faced the other, reddening.
I'll not be kapin' yez, Fin, if it's
afther waikiki yez are" said the cor
pora1, almost angrily, and took a step
forward. u 5,...-..,... -
| "Only to the suffers for beer" said
Fin, more conciliatory. "Will you have
one?" r
II am off the BOOZE" said Healy
shortly and disappeared round the cor
raj. ''Whut the divil wuz he hangin'
aroun' for so mysterious he added,
with most unfriendly irritation.
where's the old son of gun off to
all alone anyway, and what the dickens
was he signing about, like a blessed
cook stuck on dog robber?" the far
rier soliloquized frowningly as he
strobe to the post traders for his beer.
And over his glass he pondered long
until, as he drank a second one, his
frown was heavy and black.
by jiggers!' he cried suddenly to
the startled bartender. "Tn take no
chances anyway. I'll do it tonight or
bust: Give me beer, John, my boy,
and good luck to both of us!'
Once Healy was safely away, his
long legs quickened their action until
he almost ran down the sloping, Slip
perry trail to the creek, across the un-
rallied, dangerous bridge over the
creek and, with almost the hopeful
spring Of youth, across the plain to
the outskirts Of the mushroom town.
1t neared sunset when he reached the
first outlying houses and branched off
across lots to one little two stored
cottage which stood quite by itself,
very small, very neat and very unpro-
tected. Healy paused fifty yards from
| 1t, drew long breath, blew it out
| again with explosive determination
and charged the little front door as if
it were an Indian outpost, yet when
he reached his knock was most mod
est, and the martial red of his face
feebled to a Pickering pink. A little
woman, as neat and unprotected look
ing as her house, opened the door,
Perhaps it were more explanatory of
her appearance to say. that she looked
as if inviting protection, such slip of
woman, yet not devoid of piumpness
in the cheek, such blushing woman,
yet not without twinkle in her eve,
"Oh, Mr.. Healy" said she. II hardly
expected am glad to see you! Won't
you come in? What has brought you
Into the town again today?" r.
"Ah, Mrs. Bell Mrs. Bell" said Hea-
~ CALAMITY, what wud be afther
bringin' me but jist soight av thin
swate oyes?'' h
"Mr. Healy, I'm surprised" said the
little widow, with a quicker twinkle Of
those dangerous eyes. 'sBut I don't
believe you. You people at the post
all say the same thing, and none Of
you mean what you say, not one" {
! "Who-who-w who's been DARN to
say that same thing?'' cried Healy in
| angry surprise. q
Mrs. Bell laughed gleefully.>
"Come in, CORPORAL she said. "Do
you think I'll tell you who said any
| ~ IN v,,< 49, = =