Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-05-04

and, answering innocently, much
Obliged" he entered the house.
Polly turned on Bud, displaying her
resentment. you an him always kick
up the devil when you're together.
What did you bring him along ferY
she demanded.
"It's his last chance to see any fun
around here. He's leaving for Texas"
explained Bud.
"Fer how long?"
"FOr good"
"Fer our good. you mean. There's
too many Of his kind comm into this
country. Did you hear about 'Ole Man
Terrlll"
Bud did not wait for her to explain,
but nervously answered.: "They told
us about 1t in Florence when we were
coming through. We've been at the
Lazy X"
wasn't it dreadful?" ratified on
Polly. "Slim's here. The boys are
goin' to turn out with him after the
weddin' 10 see II they can ketch the
feller who did the KILN"
Bud paled as he heard the news. To
conceal his distress he moved toward
the door-anywhere to get away from
the girl to whom he feared he would
betray himself. "Pll join EN-" he
huskily answered
Polly, however, could see no reason
for his evident haste to leave her.
She felt hurt. but thought his ac-
tions were due to her scolding him for
being with Mckee.
"You amt ever asst me how ! lOokT'
she inquired, seeking to detain him.
"You look fine" complimented Bud
perfunctorily.
"When feller amt seen feller In
week. seems like fellcr ought to
brace up an start somethin, replied
Polly I'm an injured tone.
Bud smiled In spite of his fears
Catching the girl in his arms, he
kissed her and said. 81 was waiting
for the chance"
Polly disengaged herself from his
embrace and sighed contentedly
"That's somethin' like it. What
the use of bein' engaged TO Il feller If
you can't have all the trimmins that
goes with it. You look as If you
wasn't too happy"
Bud pulled himself together with an
effort. He realized that II he dill not
show more interest in the girl and
the wedding he might be SUSPECTED c.
connection with the murder.
He trumped up m explanation Of his
moodiness.
"Well, what call have to be happy:
Haven't lost my job"
"Yes, but that's because yen Wi.
hot headed an give your boss to-
much lip. But everything will come
out all right Jack says
HAS that low down liar and thief
been coming il over you. Polly: Dd
he tell you how he gave the place he
promised ne 10 Sagebrush:"
"That wasn't until you give him
slack, Bud. An I'm sure he amt Il
thief. Why
"Thief. or course he is, and Il ba k
er hearted cLc than the man that kill
ed Terrlll. Isn't he going TO steal my
brother Dicks girl this very night"
"But Dick Is dead" expostulated
Polly.
"Dick isn't dead. know it-thal
is," he stammered, Il feel it In my
bones he isn't dead. And Jack fees
it too. That's why he's hurried up
this wedding"
But your own friend, Buck Mckee,
saw Dick just before the Peaches
killed him"
"But not after it, and Buck now
thinks the rurales may have come up
in time 10 save him."
"Seems to me If that's so he has had
time enough since then TO write" OBJ
jected Polly, who was nevertheless i'm.
pressed by Dud's vehemence.
"How do you know that he has not
written?'
Polly could only gasp. These accusa-
tIons were coming too fast for her to
answer.
"You can't tell what man might do
In case like that. Perhaps Dicks
away In the mountains, away from the
railroad, prospecting down in the Ghos;
range, where he has been trying to 10
cate the lost lode. There's lots OF rea.
sons for his not writing 10 Echo, bul
Echo doesn't seem to mind. A year
and Il half is enough to mend any wo-
mans heart"
Now, YOU began Polly, who was
growing angry under the charges which
were being heaped on her two best
friends by the overwrought boy.
Bud would not let her finish. but
cried: Echo never loved him. IL she
did she would not be acting as she
is doing tonight"
Rushing to Echo's defense, Polly an
swered, She may or may not have
loved Dick Lane, but know that she
loves Jack Payson now with all hel
heart, an even If the PEACHES did
not get your brother he is as dead tG