Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-02-23

Bud pulled himself together with an
effort. He realized that if he did not
show more interest in the girl and
the wedding he might be suspected of
connection with the murder.
He trumpet up an explanation of his
moodiness.
"Well, what call have l to be happy?
Haven't lost my job?"
Eyes. but that's because you was
hot headed an give YOUR boss too
much lip. But everything will come
out all right Jack says
HAS that low down liar and thief
been coming it over you, Polly? Did
he tell you how he gave the place he
promised me to Sagebrush?"
"That wasn't until you give him
slack, Bud An I'm sure he amt
thief Why
''Thief! OF course he is, and black
er hearted one than the man that kill
ed Terrll. Isn't he going to steal my
brother Dicks girl this very night?"
But Dick is dead" expostulated
Polly.
"Dick isn't dead l know it-that
is" he stammered, II feel 1t in my
I bones he isn't dead. And Jack feels
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 to 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 Buds vehemence.
How do you know that he has not
WrlttenY"
Polly could only gasp. These accusa-
lions We're 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 Ghost
range, where he has been trying to To-
cate the lost lode. There's lots Of rea-
sons for his not writing to Echo, but
Echo doesn't seem to mind. A year
and 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. If 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 l know that she
loves Jack Payson now with all hel
heart, an even if the PEACHES die
not get your brother he is as dead tt
her as if they had"
Polly was startled and confused b,
Buds accusations. Accordingly it wa:
a relief to her when Jack Payson ap
peared on the scene. They had beef
so interested in their conversation tina
they did not hear him ride up to tn,
house. Hello, Polly! Hello, Bud!'
were his cordial greetings, for he wa
determined to ignore his former EN-
ployee's hostility Bud did not an
swer, but looked modify on tn
ground.
To eastern eyes Payson's wedding at
tire would appear most incongruous
About his waist was strapped re
!. volver. His riding trousers, close fl
e ting and corded, We're buttoned owe
: the calves of his legs. Soft. highl
polished leather boots reached to hi
) knees. His shirt WAS of silk, deepl
. embroidered down the front and a
8 the collar. His jacket gave him ampl
{ breathing room about the chest. br
t tapercd ut the waist and chung close
/ ly over the hips. Ila wore Il sombrer
and l,nnttaI CIV t''-nr"',iaf HI