Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-27

apent In his vest pocket was the joint
fund OF a. hundred dollars or more 20 -
In his wallet reposed two months PaX %
be expended how he had not yet decaoeo.
In his hip pocket was mask. an anooo.e
for loneliness on the trip ana IN ms ue ~
eye just as the train pulled out a1ag
Lawson had been tossing the Mioow
Hardy's baby in his arms. and In iron! OF
the widow Har1y's door. Many umo
Donneliy had longed to perform the same
feat. but he was morally certain that re
should drop the baby. Lawson never oLop
ped anything. especiaIly tne oppos1 liz he
DonneIiy took pull at the flask, BY
the time the train lurched into Rockport
the flask was empty, and Donneliy was
convinced that the Widow Hardy ana Law
son were to be married. He had been
blind fool and now 1t behooved him. as the
self-appointed guardian OF the Dest t,ot sre
had an outfit that would dazzle the camp
BY the time that the flask had been sue
cessively filled and emptied Donneiiy teit
fit to shop.
The setting sun shot relentless beams
into Widow Hardy's cabin. wnere tne
chosen six were unpackfng bales Darreis
and bundles which had been lugged from
the DEPOT All the other white men In the
camp were lounging somewhat polnteoiy IN
the vicinity. The Widow Hardy ana ne.
children stood in the background, TOO oa@eo
to speak.
Only once had Donnelly faltered- That
was when they were walking up from the
depot. Lawson. with his eyes dancing, iae
supported their somewhat unsteady cnei.
Then there came to Donneliy suooen
clearing of his vision, and he had wondered
If he had not made mistake fernaps tn1
goods should not have been delivered until
after the banns were READ.
And now, as shouts OF laughter rang
tha 90 in 10 felt cold SnlTeTS CndS-
ing up and down his spine. he wanted 10
get out but his purchases barred the exit;
Lawson had just unearthed oiro nouseo
in a gsudy cage, and Davitt was holdlns up
six nairs of Nottingham curtains with brass
fixtures and poles. There was DoN oi
artificial flowers, another filled with Dolls
of ribbon in assorted widths ana coiors' d
bolt of MOSQUITO netting, a stack OF paper
covered novels. heavy winter coat ana
male pink parasol, a piece or turkey-feo
calico. Lawson, who had sisters at nome
was doubled up with laughter.
Donnelly drew himself up with Suuoeh
assumption of dignity.
..Pwhat's the matter wild yeZ We phthet-
in idiits?" he demanded. lapsing into his
brougue .'Kape yer hands of the WIDOW
Hardy's weddin' outfit"
Lawson Strengthened up. TINS was trdse-
DIV. not farce. He motioned the other men
to leave the cabin. and brought up !ns
rear of the procession. Donneiiy "atcneo
him with blinking eyes.
Lawson" he called, weakly.
ooh. go to -" was the ungracfous re-
sponse and the man nearest Lawson hearo
him murmur something about frying pan
and fire.
a thirty-pound pail of cheap candy and
was weeping silently. Donnelly bent over
her awkwardly.
'Sure. l didn't name no harm. I did me
bist, thinkin not to let you go to your new new
husband without the fixin's women folk
likes. He'll be back whin he's through
swearin'."
The blank wonder in the widows face
acted on the befudded wits of Donnelly
like cold shower.
"Aint-ain't you goin' to marry Law
SOM" he faltered.
Lawson was reused from his slumbers by
a light touch on his shoulder Donnelly sat
on the edge of the bunk.
Lawson" he said In the voice of one
clothed again and in his right mind, "the
dinky injines ready to make a. special run
to Rockport. II forgot the celebration"
he thrust a roll of bills into Lawson's
hand. go you an buy thin infarnal fire.
works, or the boys"
go yourself, you fool" snarled Lawson,
turning his face to the wall
IN not" replied Donnelly. 'I've give
her me promise niver to touch another Drop
an I'll not take me chances alone on a
SPECIAL with a key Of whisky fer a safe"
Lawson sat up and Rugged his knees
eff 1 thought"
The moonlight shone through the open
door and fell upon Donnellys face Law
son looked into the Irishman's eyes. He
swung out of the bunk.
by G.. old man, believe you mean It."
"Mane it? Why, I amt fit to tie the
strings on her Shoes but will be, Lawson.
so help me, l will be-whin she comes to
me-"
And Lawson stalked away to the waiting
engine. leaving Donnelly with his face
turned toward Widow Hardys cabin.