Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-03-16
m between puFs of his pipe.

Jim between puffs Of his pipe.
"Then he's stranger to these parts.
Jacks pinto PAGES. It's his regular
gait. It's the only pacin' boss around
here"
THAT'S So" he assented, but made
no further comment. The full force of
the observation did not strike him at
the time.
Polly began to pump Colonel Jim.
There were several recent happenings
which she did not fully comprehend.
At the inquisitive age and girl, she
wanted to know all that was going on.
Jacks been actin mighty queer of
late" she ventured, "like he's got
somethin' on his mind"
Jim smiled at her simplicity and jok-
lngly replied. well, he's married"
The retort exasperated Polly. She
was not meeting with the success she
desired. do hushv' she cried in her
annoyance.
That's enough on any mans mind"
Jim laughed as he sauntered out of the
door.
"somethin' queer about Jack" OBJ
served Polly, seating herself at the
table. "He amt been the same man
since the weddin'. He's all right when
Echo's around, but when he thinks no
one is watchin' him he sits around an
signs"
Jack entered the room at this mo-
ment. Absentmindedly he hung his
hat and spurs on rack and leaned his
rifle against the wall, signing deeply as
he did SO. So engrossed was he in his
thoughts that he did not notice Polly
until he reached the table. He started
In surprise when he saw her. Hello,
Polly" was his greeting Where is
Echo?"
Polly rose hastily at the sound of his
voice.
Didn't you meet herr" she asked.
1--WE got her to ride over toward Tue
son this mornin' to get her out Of the
way SOS to snake the PLAINLY in with
out her SEEM it," Polly glided over to
the instrument and touched the keys
softly.
With admiration Jack gazed at the
instrument.
81 came around by Florence" an
swered Jack, with smile.
Eagerly Polly turned toward him.
"See anything of Bud LaneY' she
queried.
"No." Again Jack smiled, this time
at the girls impetuosity.
Hell lose his job with me If he
don't call more regular" she said.
"Say, Jack, you amt fergettin' what
you promised-to help Bud with the
money that you said was comm in
soon as Dicks share of speculation
you and him was pardners in? I'm
powerful anxious to get him away from
Mckee"
Jack had not forgotten the promise;
but, alas, under the goading of Mrs
Allen that he should clear off the mort
gage on his home, he had used Dick
Lanes money for this purpose. In
what mesh of lies and broken prom.
ises he was entangllng himself! Now
he was forced further to deceive trust
ing little Polly In the matter that was
dearest to her heart.
mo, Polly, but the fact is-that spec.
ulation isn't turning out SO we'll, after
ALL"
The disappointed girl turned sadly
away and went out to Mrs. Allen in the
kitchen.
Jack removed his belt and gun and
hung them on the rack by the door
Spying Echo's father at the corral, he
called to him to come into the house.
"Hello, Jack!" was Aliens greeting
as he entered, shaking the younger
mans hand.
when did you come over?"
"This mornin'," Allen told him
"Echos birthday, you know, an the
old lady allowed we'd have to be here
Amt seen you since the weddin'. Got
things lookin' fine here" Allen slowly
surveyed the room.
Jack agreed with him with ges
ture of assent. A more important
topic to him than the furnishing Of 6
room was what had become of Dicl
Lane. After the wedding ceremony
no chance had come to him to speal
privately to Allen.
The festivities of the wedding hat
been shortened Slim had gathered {
posse and taken up the trail of thu
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