Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-02-06
mo, I'M NOT HURT"

er and nearer came the sound of the
drunk, was gaining On her. The next
turn in the trail would bring him into
view.
give got to stop him." gasped Miss
Lovilla, trembling, but resolute.
Now, whatever Dutch JOS original
expectations had been in coming up to
camp armed and whisky brave, he GER
tainly did not expect to be held up by
any such n~onshootable object as a
woman. Neither did his horse, which
promptly snorted and backed, skirts
having greater terrors for it than
spurs.
"Shtand out of the way" vociferated
Dutch 10, listening to the whistle.
81 shan't do any such a thing!' re-
torted Miss Lovilla. occupying the mid
die of the trail and gathering up her
apron through force of habit.
Dutch 10 drove the spurs deeper and
menaced the opposition With his quirt.
evil you no shtand out of my way,
heinz" he urged, his face purpling
with anger.
"No. l WON'T declared Miss Lovilla.
The approaching whistle rendered her
desperate. She advanced precipitately
into the pony's face, waving her apron
frantically. 'Shoo!' she cried. "Go
back with you!"
That settled the matter. Unceremo-
niously the broncho showed a pair of
iron shod heels to the up trail and de-
parted ~Meadowward, with the bit in
his teeth, leaving Miss Lovilla "all
trembly."
"Salina always said l was a bigger
baby than either Of hers" she qua
vered and proceeded to demonstrate the
fact by Pumping herself down on the
nearest log and weeping into the am
pie folds of her apron.
Here an instant later Unlucky stood
as helpless before her tears as Dutch
10 had been before her unexpected on
slaught. Miss Scanlon. what's the
matter?" he implored.
II don't know" came in faltering
untruthfulness from behind the apron.
This weeping over, she knew not
what was the most b%ewildering propo-
sition Unlucky had ever met with.
HAS anything-have you-hurt your
self"' he asked, bending owe and lay
ing Il hesitating hand on the apron.
mo, I'm not hurt Miss Lovilla
vas glad she was not obliged to lie
this time.
Unlucky's hand fell from the apron.
"Why." he began perplexedly, sit can't
be you are crying just toto pass
away the time"
Then Miss Lovilla's tears gave way
suddenly to smiles. She removed the
apron and looked up at Unlucky stand
ing straight and tall and honest before
her. 1t was good to see him there.
"Tm so glad" she burst out between
tears and laughter, that you are
alive"
1t was a strange speech. Dutch 10
a mile down the canyon would have
understood it, but not Unlucky. TO
him 1t meant something which filled
him with the joys Of a courage he had
never expected would be his. and be-
fore Miss Lovilla could protest-had
she been so inclined-he had taken her
comely face between his hands and
kissed it.
The sun had set. and Alfred was
wondering what had become of his
aunt. when she appeared. followed by
Unlucky. There was an air about
them both which arrested Alfred's at.
tention before Unlucky spoke.
"Alf." he began. 'I'm In luck. I've
just staked the richest gold find i'll
Wyoming. and no ones goin' to jump
my claim either"
Alfred glanced at Miss Lovilla's
smiling face. and a pleased grin began
at his bearded lips and was lost in his
dancing eyes. Without a word he
crossed the living room and with one
stroke Of the red chalk drew the four
teenth and last line long and straight.