CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1903-07-23

tuTHtu the CORNER OF tue cOrfci. ne ran
fairly into Fin Strait, the farrier OF his
own troop. Like the corporal. Fin was
q veteran. and the two were chums OF
long standing. The farrier's room In
the stables had been the scene OF
many a quiet carouse, with none to
Join In but the cronies themselves. and
when Healy's pockets were empty and
his throat hot coppered OF a morning
he was always sure OF punch com.
pounded from Fins stock of alcohol.
supplied to the farrier as horse medi-
cine. Together they had come out OF
the war. together Joined the regular
army, together had campaigned In fire.
quent Indian risings, and together they
vaguely supposed. though only in their
cups did they talk OF 1t. they would be
pensioned of and look after the well
fare of the old troop from distance.
"How. Healyw
"How, Finr'
Healy twirled his stick like a drum
major and chirruped Garry Owen"
II be had looked straight at old Fin. he
might have been struck with the fact
that the farrier's air was Ms guilty as
his own. Strait, usually ready with u
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 frnged the creek. to the
scattered houses of the little town be-
yond The evening sunlight falling
upon the low roofs. islands In ses OF
snow. softened the sordidness Of the
ho k@ nhzA
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 veteranbood.
yet. Enthusiastically a. 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 a deed Of dark
ness and faced the other. reddening.
''I'll not be kapln' yea. Fin. II IT'S
afther walkin' yex are" said the cor
pornl. almost angrily. and took q step
forward
''Only to the suffers for beer" said
Fin. more conciliatory. "Wil you have
oneT
II am on the booze" said Heaiy
shortly and disappeared round the cor.
raj "Whut the divil wux he hangin'
aroun' for SO mysteriousT' be added
with most unfriendly irritation.
where's the old son OF gun OF to
all alone anyway. and what the dickens
was he sighing about. like 4 blessed
cook stuck on q dog robber7" the far
rier sollloquized frowningiy 40 be
strobe to the post traders for his beer.
And over his glass he pondered long
until. as he drank q second one. his
frown was heavy and black.
'By jiggersr' he cried suddenly to
the startled bartender. "I'n take no
chances anyway. I'n do II tonight or
bust! Give me a beer, John. my boy.
and good luck to both Of usr'
Once Healy was safely away. his
long legs qulckened 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.
II neared sunset when he reached the
FIRST outlying houses and branched OF
across lots to one little two storied
cottnge which stood quite by itself.
very small very neat and very unpro
tected Iealy paused nifty yards from
It. drew a long breath. blew II out
again with explosive determine ton
and charged the little front door ms n
II were an Indian outpost. yet when
he renched II his knock was most mod.
est. and the martial red Of his face
feebled to a 6lckering pink A little
woman. as neat and unprotected look.
Ing as her house. opened the door
Perhaps II were more explanatory Of
her appearance to say that she looked
as II inviting protection. such slip OF
. woman. yet not devoid OF plumpness
In the cheek. such blushing woman.
yet not without twinkle In her eye
"Oh. Mr.. Healy" said she II hnrdIy
expected-f am glad to see you. Won't
you come in? What has brought you
into the town again todayT'
"Ah. Mrs. Bell. Mrs. Bell" said Hea
y calamity. what wud be afther
bringin' me but jist a soight av thin
swnte oyesr'
"Mr Heaiy. I'm surprised" said the
little widow. with quicker twinkle OF
those dangerous eyes But l 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 who's been dnrin' to
say that same thingT' cried HeaIy In
angry surprise.
Mrs Bell laughed 9IeefuIIv.