Potosi journal., 1903-07-22
and again she of the auburn hair In.


may come in now-single file, remem-
ber. No, Thomas Ketchu7n," holding
.p warning hand, you amt even
had a circular from a whisky house
in year. You stay out"
But l want some terbacker," ex-
postulated the man.
Wait till the mails Distributed"
she snapped. I'm not a storekeeper
now; I'm the gov'ment's representa-
tive"
The last letter and paper were
handed ont to the file that came and
went, but the crowd loitercd outside
as moral support to Tom, who en-
tered last and alone. The minutes
went by. but no sound was heard
from within
II tell ye, boys" cloatcd Jack,
Toms tie one for Miss Ncryv He'll
give her just that mixcher o firm
ness an blarney that1l cam even a
red-headed woman. Why amt we
thought o@this aforeo While he's
courtin' her, we boys kin hev some
liberties when we come to town.
The door opened with explosive
suddenness. Tom, with petrlfied face
! came hastily down the steps, and Miss
Merry appeared so quickly behind
him as to almost tread on his spurs.
IF any OF you men want 10 buy
goods here, come on. If not, get
away from my premises" Her square
jaws fairly snapped shut. And If
| your business is done. get back to
| work! Towns no place for you.'
| And Toms. spirit was broken. lie
took his share Of the work in dull,
doggcd manner that hurt his fellows.
| Whatever Miss Merry had said or done
had been as an acid that bites deeply
| \ smothered aversion to the woman
came to life, and among those who
| frequented Waxhaw, and lotered to
trade with Miss Merry and listen to
her vinegary speeches, the Flying
| Flag men were conspicuously alb
sent. One usually transacted business
for the outfit, and even his visit was
| brief.
At first Miss Merry ignored the ab-
sencc of the ''Flying Flag" contin-
gent, but finally curiosity-a failing
common even to goddesses-mastered
her. She was handing Il shcaf of mail
across the counter to Timber Jack.
The Flying Flag seems to be giv-
ing us a needed rest" she observed
sarcastically. Has the foreman
really got them to work at last?"
'They're mos'ly takin' turns at
nursin' Tom Ketchnm in their spare
t;me,' answered Jack, nonchalantly
as &c slowed away the mail.
What aiIs Ketchum?' she qucried
4 shade of interest crossing her face
Seems to hev been brcakin' down
fer the las three months" replied
Jack. acts jest like Il man l knew
'at got clawcd up with a wir-cat, an
los his spcrret. Sos when a cayuse
AT Tom was breakin' fel! on him two
weeks ago, an smashed some ribs
he kind . give up an got fever
We boys don't know much to do; but
Bob Nermillion, ats been n hoss
doctor, he fixes up some mashes now
, an then. We're all sorry"
"a horse-doctor. What a pack o1
fools." scolded Mise Merry. You'll
kill him amongst you
Jack was at the door, but he turned
and drawlod, gently, "Oh, no, Mis-:
Merry; his d>ath wont be at ou'
door. We all knows what's kilic'
Tom. lie allays had more backbone
an life than any man on the range
and no man er gang o men could d'
him up that-away.'
who's that?" asked Sam. later il
the day, pointing across the prairie
A blackboard drawn by 4 rangy sor
rel was approaching.
rig b1ongs to the catin'-house a
: Waxhaw," said Jack, but | cant So
, who's driyin..
just then a turn of the rna,
3 brought the slanting sun direct q
the figure ON the drivers seat. /
I was Il woman, and even at that d.
: tance tEcy could see the CLINT {
/ FURNISHED. copper.
l. Miss Merry" calculated Boo. No,
l. we're in fer it,
Il don't sec it tha: -awaT-. answerc
J Jack, cycling the approaching tigHr
stern,y. ''Wee1 meet her in a bod,
r Waxhaw, whar her talcntsll be NOR
e appreciated. Toms he'd 'nough o fe
male w:!'-cats.''
i As Hiss Neryy jumped nimbly 10 th
. ground in front of the group. JaC
Z advanced trific.
o 1--WE boys think ye'd better so bac'
Miss Nervy-meanin' no G>Sresper
n They amt nothin' fer yc to 10 here.
l. "You boys think" The repct'io
n was snarlcd with telling effect. Tur,
IS ing, she drew Il bulky package frol
u under the seat of the buckboart
s You boys have been thinking a goo
&c while, and now suppose You do some
Is Thing. Mister Jack, go to the cool
l. shanty and bring me a keetlc of he
l. watcr-hot, mind yoH-for herb-te;
c, Samuel Smith, you take me in to To'
IL Ketclirm. and let me see how ne;
E you've all come to killing him. Bo
Ncrmilion. you've been a doctor lon
'c enough; you'd better go back /
il hosscS. and you can begin by takil,
G. care of mine. The rest of Won Gle;
IS out. When l want you I'll let yo
know
u 1t was after supper. The me
m lorngrd on the crisp buffalo gra:
H. that sloped away from tho house
\ hush fell over the group as
to woman came walking hriskiv over Il
IL grass toward them. Miss Merry stot
e, before them. stern as ever. hut VIII
at 10 trace of venom in her glance. II
- looked 1T the men. who rose to the
IN | feet at her coming.