The Washington times., 1905-12-17

Mr. Mclean. gallantly; "ain't used to
the looks Of twenty-dollar bill, and 1
shy at en-
From his face-that jocuIar mask
one might have counted him the most
serene and careless of Migrants, and in
his words only the ordinary voice of
banter spoke to the governor. a good
woman. it may well be. would have
guessed before this the sensitive soul
in the laundering body; but Barker
saw Just the familiar Whimsical
and SO he went gayly and innoceatly
on. treading upon holy ground. I've
got itt' he exclaimed; give your
wife something"
The ruddy cow-puncher grinned.
If you'll give me her name and ad-
dress said he, with the future en-
tirely I'm his mind
Why. laramie and the governor
feigned surprise.
Say, Doc said Lin, uneasiIy, none
Of 'em amt married me since 1 saw
Then she hasn't written from Lara
mie?" said the hilarious governor;
and Mr.; Mclean understood and
whizi" went on Barker. RIii II never for for
get you and Lusk that day"
But the mask fell now. You're
talking of his wife. not mine" said
She cow-puncher, very quietly; ''and,
Doc, m going TO say a word TO yu',
for know yu've always been my good
friend. I'll never forget that day my
self-but l don't want to be reminded
of it
Il never supposed"
know yu' didn't, Doc. 1t amt
you that's the fool. And in n way
In a way Lin's speech ended among
his crowding memories.
Out In the BoW-Leg country Lin Nc
Lean had met a woman with thick,
red cheeks, calling herself by a maiden
name; and this was his whole knowi-
edge Of her when he put her one morn
ing astride a Mexican saddle and took
her nifty miles to magistrate and
made her his lawful wife TO the best
of his ability and belief. In the i'm
mediate weeks that came upon the
new-made husband he tasted q bitter
ness worse than in all his life before,
and learned also how deep the woman.
when once she begins, can sink be-
Meath the man in baSeneSs. But he
carried his outward self sereneIy. and
before the strain had broken his en-
OUr3nCe an unexpected first husband
named Lusk, had appeared one sun
day, prosperous, f0rgiving, and exceed
ingly drunk. To the arms of Lusk she
went back IN the public street, de-
serting Mclean in the presence Of
Cheyenne.
rs she with him?" he asked Barker.
and musingly listened while Barker
told him. The governor had thought to
make II racy story, with the moral
InaI The joke was now on BuSk. but
instead of narrating how Mrs. beat Mr.
on Mondays. Wednesdays and FRIDAYS
and Mr. took his turn the odd days.
thus getting one hand ahead OF his
lady while the Kid Lusk had outlined
his opinion OF the family by recently
skipping TO parts unknown Barker de-
tailed these incidents more gravely
adding that Laramie believed Mrs
Lusk addicted 10 opium.
i don't guess I'll leave my card on
EN-, said Mclean. grimly, If I strike
Laramie"
Time had gone while they were in
talk. and it was now half after one and
Mr.. Mclean late for that lonR-plotted
first square meal. So the friends shook
hands, wishing each other Merry
Christmas. and the cow-puncher hast
ened toward his chosen companions.
His play-hour had made a dull be-
ginning among the toys. He had come
upon people engaged In a pleasant
game. and waited. shy and well-dIs-
posed, for some bidding 10 join. but
they had gone on playing with one
another and left him out And now he
went along in sort sf hurry 10 oscar pc
from that loneliness where his human
promptings had been lodged with him
useless. Here was Cheyenne full of
monday Tor sale. and he with his pOCk-
cts full of money 10 buy; and when he
thought of Shorty and Chalkeye and
Dollar BIZ. those dandtes 10 hit town
with. he stepped out with a brisk false
Lope- X WaS with mental hurrah
that he sat down 10 the square meal
he ate away and drank with a robust
imitation Of enjoyment that took in
even NlilSelI at UrSt. But the sorrow
ful process of his spirit went on for
all he could dc: and he began 10 feel a
distaSte for the company Of his friends
lie was surprised TO think he had never
recognized before how light q weight
was Shorty and here was ChaIkeye
who knew better talking religion after
two glasses. Presently this attack OF
noticing his friends shortcomings mas
tered him. and his mind, according 10
It's wont, changed at q stroke I'm
celebrating no Christmas with this
crowd said the inner man.
Governor Barker. finishing his pur-
chaScs al half-paSt three. went 20 meet
friend come from Evanston Mr..
Mclean was at the railway station
buying . ticket for Denver.
Denver exclaimed the amazed
governor
That's what ! said stated Mr. Nc
Lean. doEgedly-
suffering Moses said his excel
lency. What are you going 10 do
there"
Get good and drunk"
Cant YOU find enough whisky in
Cheyenne -
I'm drinking champagne this trip
And he SAYS he's got maturity"
BaTkcr muttered. I've known him
since seVenty-nine. and he's kept about
eight years old right along" The gov
crrOr was cross and sorry. and pres
entity crOSser. His Jokes about Lin'S
marriage came back TO him and put
MN IN rage with the departed fool.
lie had first known Lin. the boy OF
nineteen. supreme in length Of limb
.nu recklessncss. breaking horses and
feeling for an early mustachc. Next
whom tine UuStache was nearly accom-
puShed. nc had mended the boys baolv
broken thigh at Drybone. His skill
tand I.in's spOtless health) had
wrought so swift a healing that the
surgeon oV@rilowed with the pride of
science. and over the bandagcs would
explain the human body technically TO
his wild-@Ycd and battered patient
Thus Young Lin heard all about ti6ia
and comminuted. and other glorious
new words. and when sloeDless would
rchcarSc them Their with The bone so
nearly knit that the patient might
lc-yc the ward on cruthches TO sit each
morning in Barkcrs room as . priv
ieEc. the disObcdicut rlilG Of twenty
one had slipo1d out OF the hospital and
hohbied hastily 10 the hog ranch. where
whisky and variety waited for a lam
gushing cuuValescent. Here he grow
"aE. and WIS soon carried back with
tho leg refractured.
II suppose II amt no better this
morning D0c?" he had said humbIy
after new week OF bed and weights
You could not chide such "a boy ~
tE.@.
III.