The Press., 1904-08-24
Two Fools and
A Woman
BY r. q. WRIGHT
Copyright. 1904. by T. c. Mcclure

'The firemen's ball is going to be
next week, and want you to take me. !"
Thus spoke Gloriana McRay with a
dewy tenderness in the depths Of her
dark eyes.
Coventry had intended leaving Vel
| low River at the weeks end. but he
hesitated. ff-
"All the boys from the ranches are
comm in to it and the firemen OF the
road" said Glory persuasiyely. It'll
be a mighty swell fandango" She
sighed and glanced at Coventry. I'D
sure like to dance with you onct-just
to remember" she added with a visit
| full ring in her voice.
1t would only be a few days longer.
| Coventry said to his conscience, and,
besides, it would make good material
for a sketch-this cowboy ball. AS for
Glory, shell forget me In a month or
So" thought he. Meanwhile where's
the harm in 1t of bit of Irritation
with my western roseT
1t was to jack rose that Coventry
compared her on the night of the
dance The excitement and the swift
motion had sent warm, rich flush to
her cheeks. The black masses of her
hair were charmingly disOrdered and
her eyes flashed and sparkled with
pleasure. She was good dancer, too.
Coventry discovered. and even the
clumsy, heavy footed cowboys who
were at intervals her partners could
not spoil the easy grace of her move
ments. .,.
There had not been many Of them.
On the tawdry little dance card the
initials "B. c." occurred very frequent
IL after the numbers. Not all of them
Coventry had danced. Some he had
''sat out" on the upper porch of the
hotel. with the moonlight silyering the
sagebrush and softening the harsh
contours of the distant buttes and in
clining the heart of man to tender
sentiment.
Glory never had enjoyed any dance
as she had this, she told Coventry
frankly, and her eyes more than said
the same thing as she swayed and
swung to his guiding beneath the hot
1t was all rather interesting, COven-
try thought in one of the Intervals
when his partner was dancing with
some one else, but on the whole he
was rather glad he was going to leave
the next day. He had not told Glory
he was going There was no need of
spelling her fun. 1t was best for her
that he went. Perhaps he had paid
her too much attention; she did not
realize the gulf between them. and
besides she had been rather too de
monstrative this night. That was one
of the difficulties of an affair with
woman of such simple. unsophisti-
Gated nature. 60
He looked at her critically as she
swirled by, and she returned the look
with dazzling smile and softening
Of the eyes that Coventry could not
mistake-nor any one else, he feared.
She was beautiful woman. of an ami
NAL type, of course, but II
Coventry's thoughts were interrupted
here Some one had touched him on
the shoulder.
1t was a tall, fresh faced, brown
from the Three Forks ranch, as Gov
entry knew by name.
I'D like to speak with you, If so
you don't mind?' said the man. There
was just the suggestion of a frown-
between his keen gray eyes. ths=
Certainly" replied Coventry. 'Sit
down"
Not hyer. It's little too promis-
cous hyer for what I've got to say.
Maybe you wouldn't mind takin' lit
tie paseur outsider
Coventry rose and followed the man.
and together they strolled down to the
rivers edge. There was a fallen log
here. on which Coventry seated him.
self. Fire away" he said, lighting a
cigar. He offered one to his compan-
ion, but 1t was declined. go
The man hesitated for q moment, as
IL he found 1t hard to commence
my name is Hackett," he said
gravely. Mort Hackett. Maybe
you've heard it?"
Coventry bowed courteously.
Il hear tell" Mort continued. that
you're lowing to go back east to-
morrow. Is that factY'
YES" answered Coventry. Want
me to do something for you back
there?'
mo. l reckon not. It's sOmethin'
hyer l want you to do. It's to answer
a question What are you goin' to do
about Glory?" ra
about Glory? What should l do
about GlOryf What do you mean"
you know right well what I mean
Are you going to marry the gal?'
And may ask, Mr.. Hackett, In my
turn. what affair 1t is of yours what
/ intend to do or not do" said Coven-
try eoolly. Are you Miss McRay's
guardian?" =
Maybe l be-" returned the other
quietly. II reckon you've the right to
know before you answer"
He put q foot on the log and looked
down at the moon flecked river.
you see. love her." said he simply.
IAN so I've got to know I've been
lovin' her this long time. since she
fust come hyer young gal. I'm n
right awkward sort of a cuss without
manners. but | reckoned to ask her
some day when got fixed SOS could
give her home. And then-then you
come hyer with your good looks an
your city ways an your easy way of
talkin' an turned her head | amt |
beefin' about that-it's fair fightin' II |
you're playin' a square game. but are
TouY'
Coventry laughed pleasantly. MY |
lear man." he said. make your mind |
,asy. I've not the slightest notion of |
to Miss McRay's hand. l
20 back east tomorrow and in all prob |
lbility shall never see the girl again"
AN yet you've been right familious |
With her sence you've been hyer-ridin, 1
IN walkin' In the buttes an sittin' /
tut in the moonlight There's been /
light smart talk"
I'm not responsible for the talk IL /
ools choose to make it." said COven-
~ impatiently. 1--WE done nothing
more than would with any pretty girl