Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-07-04

Lariat, ever since his election had
been planning a Fourth Of July that
would make that of his predecessor
look like a prairie dog hunting for
cover. The word had gone out through
the Rio Grande valley that a real
United States senator would grace
Helmer's celebration, and the country
was agog with patriotic excitement.
The county band would be ION the
job and the school children Of Lariat,
In glittering badges and sashes, would
sing the patriotic airs A barbecue,
horse racing, broncho busting and fire
works would be added attractions.
But Helmer kept his coup" up his
sleeve. Last year the Declaration of
Independence had been read monot-
onousIy by the county superintendent
of schools. This year Helmer had ar
ranged to have it read by Dave Ewing,
deputy sheriff of Conejos county, at
tired as Uncle Sam. He had hired the
necessary costume at Pueblo, even to
the gray wig and goatee.
Not that Dave cared anything about
basking in the glare of public inter-
est as represented by Lariat and Cone
jos county. He was not the sort of
fellow to make a grand stand play,
but he loved Lena Helmer, the mayors
daughter, and if she wanted him to
don the garments of Pierrot and swing
on the edge of the moon he would have
made violent effort to oblige her.
with the night Of July came signs
of the morrow'g triumph, which were
as incense to Helmer's spirit Cow
boys and miners struggling in from
the south and north reported gen.
eral movement toward Lariat, while
from the east and west came rumors
of general hegira of the ranch popu-
lation, and all for Lariat and Hell
mer's celebration.
All this had been hilariously dis
cussed over the Helmer supper table,
and as Helmer rose, with forced care
lessness, he said to his daughter:
ssNow, Lena, you don't see any
where's that cog might slip, do your
mo, daddy; everything is going
beautifully. The children sang this
afternoon without single mistake,
and Dave knows the Declaration near
" by heart
ssHis Uncle Sam suit come?'
eyes, and it fits like a glove"
"Thats good Dawes the tallest.
likeliest and straightest fellow round
here
"Yes, and Dawes the dearest fellow
that ever lived" murmured Lena as
she helped her mother with the supper
work. e
Suddenly Lena caught the clatter of
hoofs on the ditch bridge. No horse
save Dawes Cyclone had that rhythmic
hoof beat. And minute later Cyclone
was nibbling block sugar in Lena's
hand, while his master stood by smil-
Ing, his arm around Lena's slender
waist.
AShall you enter Cyclone tomorrow,
Dave, for any of the races r she asked,
as the horse licked the last scrap Of
sweetness from her hand.
Dave drew her closer to him and
said, trife anxiously:
81 don't know, dear. That's what l
came to see you about Maybe shan't
be in town tomorrow"
Not be here tomorrow? Why, Dave
Ewing, what do you mean?"
The Declaration of Independence,
Uncle Sans costume, her fathers fine
pIans-all seemed to crumble at her
feet.
"You see, it's this way, dear: Long
Pete's been seen up on the Devils Ba-
sin trail by some of the men from the
xxx ranch
At the name of Long Pete Lena gave
a nervous start.
"You know there's thousand in re-
wards hung up for him, and, Lena,
dear, don't you understand that means
my little ranch clear and ready for
you-and--I want you SO badly, sweet
heart"
His voice was low and vibrant with
passion, but Lena was thinking Of her
father and that programme.
Il don't care, Dave. Ranch or no
ranch, you've got to get here. I'd
rather wait another year than have
daddy disappointed. He's SO set about
everything going right, and. now it's
too late to get any one to take your
place. There amt another man In
Lariat that could wear that suit, to
say nothing Of trying to read the piece.
You just can't go, Dave, so theref'
sLena, I'll have to go. It's a matter
Of duty. Cleghorn's tied up at court
In AIamosa and won't be back in time.
BY tomorrow night Long Pete II be
over the range again. There amt an
other deputy in the bunch that Cleg-
horn would trust with this trick, and
I'm going after Pete tonight, Lena, or
give up my job"
Lena sprang from his side in a tu-
multi Of anger and Jealousy
"All right, Dave Ewing, II you think
more OF Sheriff Cleghorn than me, go
ahead to DEVILS Basin, but mind this:
IF you're not here tomorrow to keep
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