Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-07-30

"Now, Damn You! II You Feel Like
It, Laugh"
and artistic liar In the territory. For
two hours he had been exercising his
talent to the full, and merely paused
now in search of some fresh inspira.
ton, holding in supreme and silent
contempt the rather feeble limitations
OF his less gifted companion.
The fly in the ointment Of this long
days ride, the third party, whose un-
desirable presence and personal
knowledge of Mr.. Moffat's past career
rather seriously interfered with the
latter's flights of imagination, was VII.
liam Mcneil, foreman OF the Bar ""
ranch over on Sinsiniwa creek. Nc
Neil was not much Of talker. having
an impediment in his speech, and be-
ing a trifie bashful IN the presence OF
a lady. But he caught the eye.-a
slenderly built, reckless fellow,
smoothly shaven, with q strong chin
and bright laughing eyes,-and as he
lolled carelessly back in his bearskin
chaps" and wide-brimmed sombrero,
occasionally throwing in some cool,
insinuating comment regarding Moi
fats recitals, the latter experienced a
strong inclination to heave him over
board. The slight hardening OF Nc.
Neil's eyes at such moments had thus
far served, however, as sunicient re.
straint, while the unobservant Miss
Spencer, unaware of the silent duel
thus being conducted in her very pres.
ence, divided her undisguised admfra-
ton, playing havoc with the susceptt
Bile heart OF each, and all unconscious
" laying the foundations for future
trouble.
"Why, how truly remarkable" she
exclaimed, her cheeks glowing. ITS
all so different from the east; heroism
seems to be in the very air OF this
country, and your adventure was so
very unusual. Don't you think SO, Mr..
NcNeil?"
The silent foreman hitched himself
suddenly upright, his face unusually
solemn. "Why-eh-yes, miss-you
might-eh-say that. He" with flip
OF his hand toward the other, "eh-re
minds me-of-eh-an old friend"
Indeed? How extremely interest.
ing!" eagerly seeming new story.
Please tell me who 1t was. Mr.. Nc
Neil"
"Oh-eh-knew him when was Q
boy-eh-Munchause
Mr.. Moffat drew in his head violent.
ly, with an exclamation nearly pro-
fame, yet before he could speak Miss
Spencer interviewed.
"Munchausen! Why, Mr.. Mcneil.
you surely do not intend to question
the truth of Mr.. Moffat's narrative?"
The foreman's eyes twinkled humor-
ously but the lines OF his face re-
NAMED calmly impressive. "My-eh-
reference" he explained, gravely, was
-eh-entirely to the-eh-local color.
the-eh-expert touches"
"Oh!"
Eyes, miss. It's-eh-bad taste out
here to-eh-doubt anybody's word
eh-publicly"
Morat stirred uneasily, his hand
flung behind him, but Mcneil was gaz-
ing into the lady's fair face, appar-
entity unconscious Of any other pres.
ence.
"But all this time you have not IA
vored me with any OF your own ad-
ventures. Mr.. Mcneil. am very sure
you must have had hundreds out on
these wide plains"
The somewhat embarrassed foreman
shook his head discouragingly.
"Oh, but l Just know you have, only
you are SO mode { about recounting
them. Now, that scar just under your
hair-really it is not at all unbecom-
ing-surely that reveals story. Was
it caused by an Indian arrow?"
Mcneil crossed his legs, and wiped
his damp forehead with the back OF
his hand. "Hoof Of a damn pack
mule" he explained, forgetting him
self. "The-eh-cuss lifted me ten
feet"
Moffat laughed hoarsely, but as the
foreman Strengthened up quickly, the
amazed girl joined happily in, and his
own face instantly exhibited the con-
tagion.
"Ain't much-eh-ever happens out
on a ranch" he said, doubtfully, "ex-
cept dodgin' steers, and-eh-bustin'
broncoes."
Moffat had his head craned out OF
the window once more, in an apparent
determination to ignore all further
frivolous remarks. Suddenly he point
ed directly ahead.
There's Glencaid now, Miss spen-
GER" he said. cheerfully. That's the
spire of the new Presbyterian church
sticking up above the ridge"
"Oh. indeed! How glad am to DO
here safe at last"
"How-eh-did you happen to-eh
the church," asked Mr..
Mcneil with evident admiration.
"You-eh-can't see it from the sa-
loom"
Moffat disdained reply, and the
lurching stage rolled rapidly down the
valley, the mules now dashed into