Mexico Missouri message., 1907-06-20

nntBh IL, and they WASN'T 10 go t0rouBh |
coming back without me. Well that |
bull outfit will stop for me-and they'll |
get me or get pay for me. That's |
their orders. And II lent train OF |
women and babies. either. They'resuch |
an outrageous rough lot. quick-tem-
pered and all that, that they wouldn't
believe the truth that ] had an acct.
dent-not IL you swore It on q stack
OF Mormon bibles topped OF by the
life of Joe Smith. They'd go right out
and make AMAZON look like a whole
cavayard OF razor.hoofed buffaloes had
raced back and forth over Il. And the
rest OF the 1000 men on Ezra Calk-
ms pay roll would come hanging
around pestering you all with Win
chesters. They'd make you scratch
gravel, sure!
"Now. let's get to work. see you'll
be awful careful and tender with me.
I'll bet | don't get even sprained
ankle. You folks get him. and III
show you where he said the place was"
Two hours later Follett came run
ming back to where Prudence lay on
the saddle blanket in the warm morn
ing sun.
THE wagon train Is coming-hear
the whips? Now. look here, why don't
we 20 right on with It, in one OF the
big wagons? They're coming back
light, and we can have J. Murphy
that is bigger than n whole lot of
houses In this country. You don't
want TO go back there. do your"
She shook her head.
NO: Il would hurt me to see II
now. should be expecting TO see him
at every turn. oh. l couldn't stand
that-poor sorry little father!"
We'll. then, leave It all; leave the
place to the women. and good rid
dance, and come OF with me. Ill send
one OF the boys back with pack mule
for any plumber you want to bring
away. and you needn't ever see the
place again"
She nestled in his arms, feeling In
her grief the comfort of his tender
ness.
Yes, take me away now"
The big whips could be heard plain
~. cracking like rife shots, and short
ly came the creaklng and hollow
rumbling of the wagons and the cries
OF the teamsters TO their six.mule
teams. There were shouts and calls,
snatches of song from along the line,
then the rattllng of harness, and in
cloud of dust the train was beside
them, the teamsters sitting with
rounded shoulders up under the bowed
covers of the big wagons.
A hail came from the rear of the
train, and hronzed and bearded man
in a leather jacket cantered up ON a
small pony.
Hello, there. Root I'm whoopin'
glad to see you.
He turned to the driver OF the fore
most wagon.
IAN right. boys! Wen make a lay
by for noon
Follett shook hands with him heart
lily. and turned 10 Prudence.
This is my wife. Lew. Prudence,
this IL Lew Stefins. our wagon mas
ter"
"Shoo. now!--you young cub--mar
ried? Well. I'm right glad to see Mrs
Rool Follett-and blegs your heart, lit
tie grill"
did you stop back there at the set
tIementy'
Yes; and they said you'd lift the
pike about dark last night, TO chase
a crazy man. told them I'd be bach
with the wbackers II didn't find you
was afraid some trouble was on, and
here you're only married TO the sweet
est thing that ever-why. she's beeI
cryingl Anything wrongg'
mo; never mind nov. anyway
We're going on with you, Lew"
-,''Bully proud to have you There
that third wagon"
Gould ] ride In thatg" asked tn
girl. looking at the big. numbering cor
veyance. doubtfully.
1T carried 5000 pounds OF freigh
: to Los Angeles, little woman" an
|. swered stenins. promptly. and
guess you 10 heft over 2s OF 30 at IN
: outside. III have the box filled 1
with spruce boughs and lot OF mic
q bunch grass. and put some comfort
. over that. and you'll be shug an
Q tidy. You won't starve, either. nc
while there's meat running"
i And. say. Lew. she's got some stu
Il back at that place. Let the extra han
u ride back with a paskiack and brin
Z Il on. She'll tell him what 10 get"
a Sure. Tom Callahan can 60"
Il "And give us some grub. Lew. 4,
q hardly had bite since yesterda
Il morning"
d An hour later. when the train WI
d nearly ready 70 start. Follelt took b
= wife 20 the top OF the ridge an
y showed her. little way below thel
o the cedar Al the foot o. the sandatoI
y ledge. lie stayed back. thinking 81
D. would wish 70 DO there alone. q
q when she stood BY the new grave 81
d. looked up and beekoned to him.
...... -. 49,. osI4. - IA