The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-10-01


for the cure, you know"
"Oh, l know all about that Don't
you want to freshen up? Should you
mind coming right to my room? Mari
on is in hers explained Dcksie, land
l am never sure of Cousin Lance's-
he has so many boots.'
When she had disposed of McCloud
she flew to the kitchen. Puss was
starting after a chicken Take
lantern, Puss!" whispered Dicksie, We
hemently.
No, indeed; dis niger don need
no lantern TO- chickens, Miss Dicksie."
But get good one. Puss, and make
haste, do! Mr.. McCloud must be
starved! Where is the baking pow
der? III get the biscuits started"
Puss turned tiercely "Now look-a
heah, yo' can't make biscuits! Yo'
jes' go Sc down wifi dat young
gen'm'n! Jes' femme lone, eff yo'
please! Dis amt de frs time
killed chickens, Miss Dicksie, an
made biscuits. Jes' clair out an Sc
down! Place FIR young ladies is in de
parlor! or Puss can cook supper
FIR one man yet-ef she has to!'
ooh, yes, Puss, certainly, know, of
course; only, get nice chicken!" and
with the parting admonition Dicksie,
smoothing her hair wildly, fastened
back to the living room.
But the harm was DONE Puss, more
excited than her mistress, lost her
head when she got te the chicken-yard,
and with sufficiently bad results. When
Dicksie ran out few moments after
ward for a glass of water for Nc
Cloud, Puss was calmly wiping her
hands, and in the sink lay the CULVER
ing form of young Caesar. Dicksie
caught her favorite up by the legs and
suppressed a cry. There could be no
mistake. She cast burning look on
Fuss. 1t would do no good to storm
now. Dicksie only wrung her hands
and returned to McCloud.
He rose in the happiest mood. He
could not see what a torment Dicksie
was in, and took the water without
asking himself why it trembled in her
hand. Her restrained manner did not
worry him, for he felt that his fight at
the river Was won, and the prospect
OF fried chicken composed him. Even
the long hour before Puss, calm and
inviting in white cap and apron. an
peared to announce supper passed
like dream. When Dicksie rose to
lead the way to the dining room, Nc
Cloud walked on air; the high color
about her eyes intoxicated him. Not
till half the fried chicken, with MANY
compliments from McCloud had disap-
peared, and the plate had gone out for
the second dozen biscuits did he notice
Dicksie's abstraction.
I'm sure you need worry no longer
about the water" he observed, reas.
suringly 81 think the worst of the
,, danger is past"
Dicksie looked at the tablecloth
with wide-open eyes. 81 feel sure that
it is. | am no longer Worrying about
that
ITS nothing l can do or leave un-
done, is it?" asked McCloud, laughing
a little as he implied in his tone that
she must be worrying about some
thing
Dicksie made a gesture of alarm.
ooh, no, no; nothing!"
It's a pretty good plan not to
worry about anything"
do you think 500"
"Why, we all thought so last night
Heavens!" McCloud drew back in his
chair Il never offered you piece of
chicken! What have I been think
ing OFF,"
ooh, wouldn't eat it anyway"
cried Diclisie.
you wouldn't? It is delicious. Do
have a plate and a wing at least"
Really, could not bear to think of
it," she said, pathetically.
He spoke lower. Something is
troubling you. l have no right to a
confidence, know he added, taking
biscuit.
Her eyes fell to the floor. at is
nothing Pray, don't mind me. May
fill your cup?' she asked, looking
up. Il am afraid worry too much
over what has happened and can't be
helped. Do you never do that?'
McCloud, laughing wretchedly, tore
Caesars last leg from his body. "No,
indeed never worry over what can't
he helped"
They left the dining room. Marion
came down. But they had hardly
seated themselves before the living
room fire when a messenger arrived
with word that McCloud was wanted
at the river. His chagrin at being
! dragged away was SO apparent that
Marion and Dicksie sympathized with
him and laughed at him. "I never
worry about what can't be helped, :"
Dicksie murmured.
He looked at Marion. That's shot
at me. You don't want to go down,
do you?" he asked, ironically, looking
| from one to the other.
why, of course, I'll go down." re-
sponded Dicksie, promptly. Marion
| caught cold last night, l guess, SO you
will excuse her, know. will be back
in an hour, Marion, and you can toast
your cold while I'm gone"
But you mustn't go alone!" pro-
tested McCloud
Dicksie lifted her chin the least bit.
Il shall be going with you, shall not?
And if the messenger has gone back
I shall have to guide you. You never
could find your way alone"
"But can CO." interposed Marion,
rising.
mot at all; you can not go!" an
nounced Dicksie. Il can protect both
| Mr.. NIcCloud and myself. If he should