Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-11-03
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s FROM OUT 1
: THE WEST 1
al
BY MARY WOOD
y Copyright, 1908, bv 7. G. Mcclure e
j *#%s@#ssa* Is 81 #@#@#@ 4

81 8 e: 81 q IS 81 81 81 @ e 81 81
Missoula Ann guzed across the fro
zen stretches Of the park with de-
liehtful sense of ownership. The chill
wind which had deferred ;ll other way
farers was Is the breath Of her own
prairics.
Jest the SKY for Il norther, Teddy"
she said eyutantly. Seems like old
times, ii GOrs."
| Teddy WAS not loOkin at the sky.
Around bend in the road came a
horse jet black. we'll groomed. head
high. while the delicate nostrils shifted
the wind and saddle invitingly empty:
not ownerless, for policeman walked
close beside. But Teddy had eyes only
for the horse In a moment possession
would be his and Missoula far behind.
He set Off down the walk as fast as his
chubby legs would carry him.
Too la:e Missoula awoke to the real
| tiles of her position. She broke into a
frightened run, and her voice rang out
in command: Teddy Barker, come
back! Do you hear? Come back. !
sayw
If Teddy heard he gave no sign, ex-
cept to redouble his efforts. But verify
the way of the transgressor is hard!
| There was an innocent appearing strip
of ice cleaning in the pallid glow Of
| the wintry sun. Teddy's foot encoun-
tered it. He threw out both hands and
slid forward on his nose. 1t 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 ma
turedly, "Ill have to arrest you If you
make such noise. Come and see Jim
Grow. You can have ride on him If
you aren't scarf"
Teddy stif'ened at the implied insult.
That's all wanted to do" he protest
ed stoutly. "only Missouly. she wouldn't
let meW
The man looked at the girl eagerly.
"Be you from Montana, MISS? lie ask
ed.
Missoula nodded.
81 hail from west Texas myself" the
policeman FASTENED to explain, "but !
reckon there's much Of a sameness
about them both"
Missoula Ann seized his hand joyful.
ly. 81 been watching you other days.
l 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. ut does
seem as If most of the folks here made
riding hard matter" 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 full breath.
Wish they'd just try it on q broncho.
There'd be some tall bucking." And he
laughed.
Missoula joined in. II believe l could
show them thing or two myself" she
said proudly, "even if l amt got one
of them swell riding skirts. But jest
better not be saying too much about
it." she added sadly. II might hev
forgot. It's so long since was on
horse. Mr.. Barker, he got one of those
automobiles, but l 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-
"Crar out to the west" the girl in
terrupted eagerly. There was a wist
full look in her eyes.
"Be you long from there, missr he
asked respectfully.
"Only since last fall, but 1t seems IN
age" Missoula Ann said, with a sigh.
"You see Mr.. Barker, he's the biggest
man out our way. He rules jest about
everything but his wife, and she rules
him. So when she took it into her
head to cum to New York fer the win
ter we all had to cum. 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.
I'm not saying but what was tickled
over the idea. They'd been telling me
all sorts of fooiisi!nesS about the city.
But it's not bit like what 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 Mr.. Barker, for all he OWNS
bout whole section out our way.
can't hev whole house to hisself. It's
worse than the boys quarters at a
roundup the way folks crowd togeth-
er. But you must excuse me fer saying
so much," she broke of in conclusion
as she looked up and met his dark eye
fixed admiringly upon her. "Only it's
so long since had the chance to free
my mind. You're mighty good to listen'
But come, Teddy, it's time we were
making fer home"
Teddy did not agree, but the tall po-
liceman cut short his remarks by lift
ing him down in a peremptory fash
ion. "I'm much obliged to you, miss"
he said gratefully. "It's been as good
rs seeing one Of the boys. But per-
haps you'll be coming this way again,
tomorrow perhaps" he asked insinuat-
ingly.
Missoula Ann thought that perhaps
she might. Teddy was quite sure that
he would be ready for another ride.
The tall policeman leaped lightly into
his saddle, and she watched him with
thrill of pride. He was certainly
quite imposing in his blue uniform
with the brass buttons, and his friend
ship was a thing to be desired. And
then he came from the west! He
could sympathize with her longing for
that faraway land. Yes, Missoula was
sure to come that way tomorrow.
He was waiting for them on the next