The Press., 1903-12-10
RaAAaaa a aaan@i ! } FROM OUT
 5 THE WEST
By MARY WOOD
q s COpTi0At, 1908, bv T. C. MeCars @aa& e @ # @ @ H # @ 6


 Een stretches of the park with . de- wind which had deterred all other way farers was as the breath of her own prairies-
 "Jest the sky for a mortimer. Teddy" |" she said exultantly. Seems like old times, it does"
 Teddy was not looking at the sky. Around . bend in the road came a horse. jet black, we'll groomed, head high. while the delicate nostrils snifred the wind, and saddle invitingly empty; not ownerless. for policeman walked close beside. But Teddy had eyes only for the horse. In moment possession would be his and Missoula far behind. He set or down the walk as fast as his chubby legs would carry him.
 Too late Missoula awoke to the real ities of her position. She broke into a frightened run, and her voice rang out in commands: Teddy Barker, come back! Do you hear? Come back. l sayY' a u u4 rs... a a.a
 If Teddy heard he gave no sign, ex- cept to redouble his efforts. But verify the way Of the transgressor is hardi There was an innocent appearing strip of ice gleaming in the pallid glow of the wintry sum- Teddy's foot encoun- tered it. He threw out both hands and slid forward on his nose It Is tender member, and Teddy complained loudly.
 The irate Missoula was now on the scene Even the policeman offered his services to restore peace. Together they picked up the fallen, whose cries re- doubled under the effect of Missoula's vigorous shakings. The policeman in- terfered-
 See here. now." he said good na- turedly. '-I'll have to arrest you if you make such noise. Come and see Jim Crow You can have ride on him if you aren't scart."
 Teddy stiffened at the implied insult. That's all I wanted to do." he protest ed stoutly. "'only Missouly. she wouldn't let meT
 The man looked at the girl eagerly. Be you from Montana. miss?' he ask ed.
 Missoula nodded.
 
 policeman hastened to explain. but I reckon there's much of a sameness about them both"
 Missoula Ann seized his hand joyful ly. 'I been watching you other days. I jest knowed you was from the west the way you sat your horse" ,.
 By this time Teddy was safely en- sconced on top of Jim Crow. Tt does seem ss if most of the folks here made riding a hard natter" the policeman said reflectively. And it's worse for the horse than it is for them. Why. the ladies have the poor beasts cinched up SO tight they can't draw a full breath Wish they'd just try it on a broncho. There'd be some tall bucking." And he laughed. rs. n " ...sE-#~
 Missoula joined in- '1 believe could show them thing or two myself" she said proudly. '-even if I ain't got one of them swell riding skirts. But jest better not be saying too much about It." she added sadly. "I might hev forgot. It's so long since was on a horse. MT. Barker, he got one of those but I can't abide the creature"
 The tall policeman agreed. Just give me a good horse," he declared, "-and a clear road. and I'd ride and ride to-
 '-Cfar out to the west" the girl in terrupted eagerly. There was a wist iul look In her eyes.
 -Be you long from there, miss?' he asked respectfully.
 '-Only since last fall. but 1t seems an lge." Missoula Ann said, with a sigh. You see MT. Barker, he's the biggest nan out our way. He rules jest about but his wife. and she rules nim- So when she took 1t into her head to cum to New York fer the win ter we all had to cum I cum on count of Teddy. Seems as If he can't get along without me. I've he'd the care of him ever since he was born" She smiled up at the child affectionately. -Pm not saying but what I was tickled over the idea They'd been telling me But it's not bit like what I expected Perhaps the fault lies in me, but feel sort of smothered all the time. It's bad enough on the street with people push Ing of you out of ther way. but indoors It's worse. Things are so awful dear here that MT. Barker, for all he owns bout a whole section out our way, can't hev whole house to hisself. It's worse than the boys quarters at q the way folks crowd togeth- ' sr. But you must excuse me fer saying 70 much. 1" she broke off in conclusion ! IS she looked up and met his dark eyes fixed admiringly upon her. "0nly it's | 70 long since I had the chance to free ny mind You're mighty good to listen l But come. Teddy. it's time we were making fer home" #&
 Teddy did not agree, but the tall po- iceman cut short his remarks by lift ng him down in a peremptory fash | on "Tm much obliged to you. miss," ,e said gratefully. Its been as good | ,s seeing one of the boys. But per laps you'n be coming this way again. omorrow perhaps" be asked insinuat- | ngiy.
 he might Teddy was quite sure that | ie would De ready Tor another ride. The tall policeman leaped lightly into is saddle. and she watched him with l thrill of pride. He was certainly lufte imposing In his blue uniform with the brass buttons. and his friend hip was a thing to be desired. And hen he came from the westI He ould sympathize with her longing for hat faraway land Yes. Missoula was Il ure to come that way tomorrow
 He was waiting for them on the next fternoon. and Teddy was swung up on he saddle in jiffy. But now it was he big policeman who talked. while lissoula listened in shy silence. His ane was Jones. They used to call Ie shorty down in the Panhandle ecause l was so tall," he explained, ith a laugh. No. they don't do 1t ere. In answer to her questioning