Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-02-09
THE RUDDY VALENTINE.

you refused" cried waller Pete" the
half breed COW puncher, renegade and all
round bandit and villain, his beady eyes
swapping viciously you refuse?"
Il not go to your wigwam, not be your
squaw; you no good white man, no good
buck, nohow,' answered the most beauti-
full maiden on the reservation. turning
away seornfully, displaying a wild grace
as she moved.
you love paleface Dick Morley; he
has finer wigwam, he tells you big lies,
he likes white squaw best. Bime-by he'll
get tired of you, kick you out, then
you'll come to me-"
9Th, l hate you" replied the dusky
one; go"
"All right; | 90, but listen to me-I'll
have his hearts blood if he gets you
away from me. ! say it."
This was six months before the dash
ing cattle puncher, Dick Morley, had
won his brown sweetheart and taken her
to his Wigwam, which was comfortable
house of logs, containing two rooms, with
skins Enthusiastically adjoining the walls
and furniture, the result of tasks he had
accomplished in times of leisure, in
not unskillful manner.
| Outside were growing the hardy vines
and flowers they had together planted,
which Lolita had lovingly tended during
his frequent absences. when it was not
| convenient for her TO accompany him
! from home.
| Happy a. the robins in spring were
they this primitive pair. She was beau
tiful and loving and childlike; he was
stalwHt, brave and kind, with child's
heart, too. He never tired of teaching
his dusky bride the secrets of love, and
during The long evenings he tried from
his own rather limited store to teach her
the A b C's of his language, and she, be
ing an apt scholar, they waxed merry
over the lessons every time, for it was
amusing to her. She could n,t see the
use; they We're like the birds of the air,
and with as little heed of the morrow
as they.
There was seemingly not cloud in.
their rosy horizon. In the mind of Lolita
there was nothing save PASSING recol-
lection of WALLER Pete and his threats
| Who, indeed, could harm her Dick?
WALLER Pete's whereabouts were made
known from time to time by his almost
periodical raids upon the CATTLE carry
ing them off to his camp, to be rebranded
in the canyon some miles away. Waller
Pete, so called because he had, as half
breed, inherited all the vices of both
white and Indian parent, and none of the
virtues, had long been a menace to the
legitimate cattle men in that section,
and innumerable traps had been set to
catch him, but his gang almost in
variably escaped and his dug-out was
almost inaccessible The boys were now
contemplating a serious attack on Pete
at an early date, meaning in good earnest
to run him to earth. as his depredations
had Well-nigh exhausted their patience
Meanwhile the busy season was closing,
and they were trying to get through
branding as soon as possible
The 14th of February dawned brightly
over the still snow-covered plains, and
Morley, looking out, felt a thrill of the
coming spring through his rich veins.
Bidding Lolita fond good bye. he
jumped on his broncho and started off
to his work a few miles distant. intend
ing to be back before nightfall, as usual.
Lolita gazed long and wistfully after the
departing form of her husband, and I'M
accountably felt a little sad but, reso-
mtely throwing the feeling off, she pro-
ceeded with her household duties, which,
being simple, were soon finished. She
then passed into her little patch of gar.
den. which was her special pride
Meanwhile Dick Morley had passed a
busy day, and at dusk started home
ward mind and heart intent upon the
coming meeting. Gathering up to the
door he was somewhat surprised and
little disappointed at not seeing the he
loved form running to meet him. but
thinking she had playfully hidden. as
was her wont at times. chidishlv sur
prlsng him, after a pretended search for
her he quickly entered and called to her
and receiving no reply entered the inner
room. Still hearing no sound, the silence
struck him alarmingly. He called loudly
and rushed out and around the small in
closure. hunting now with desperation
born OF fear. No one answered, and he
returned to the house. now frantic with
tear. lie then noticed what in his haste
he had previously overlooked a piece of
common brown paper, pinned to the
door Jamb. Quickly Selling it, he saw on
1t what appeared to be Il rough sketch
OF heart, daubed with red earth of
some kind, from which drops of red were
scattered, evidently representing blood
From the center of the heart was what
was intended for an arrow. Underneath
all were roughly written the words:
This IS your valentine got mine"
\ dozen on more COWBOYS sittino
around the camp fire that evening. dis
cussng the morow's raid on WALLER
Fete,s outfit were startled at hearing the
rapid approach of horse. and the i'm
mediate appearance of Dick Morley on
ms almost exhausted broncho Without
waiting for inquiries Dick exclaimed
Boys Lolita is gone; WALLER pete has
taken her. If You would helm me sovo
her, come at once" He showed the manor
and told how he found the cabin deserted
on ms return home. and how Pete had
IN the past threatened his wife.
There was rush for bronchos. and nil
J ANnrn WV ~