Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-05-11
CHAPTER VII.
" NTERING the living room, Bud
- found Echo surrounded by sew

greatly disturbed about her lovers In
explicable absence. Had she been free
from the duties Of hospitality She
would have leaped on her horse ant
gone in search Of him.
Echo's wedding attire would seem as
incongruous rs Jacks to the eyes Of al
easterner. yet 1t was entirely suited tt
the circumstances, for the couple In
tended as soon as they were married
to ride to little hunting cabin OF
Jacks in the Tortilla mountains, where
they would spend their honeymoon.
She was dressed In an olive greer
| riding habit which she had brought
from the east. The skirt was divided
and reached just below the knees. Hel
blouse, Of light material and brown II
color, was loose. allowing free play fol
her arms and shoulders. High riding
boots were laced to the knees. A som
brero and riding gloves lay on the
table ready TO complete her costume.
Bud coldly acknowledged Echo's af
fectionate and happy greeting and
curtly Informed her that Jack had ar
rived.
She rushed out of doors, with cry
Of JOY.
Running across the courtyard toward
her lover, who awaited her with out
stretched arms. she began:
"Well, this Is nice time. you out
rageous"- Then Polly stopped her
with a mock serious look. wait a
minute-wait minute" the girl
drawled as If refining in too eager
horse. Don't commence calm love
names before you get the hitch. Time
enough after. He has been actin up
somethin' scandalous with me-"
Jack threw up his hands In protest
hastily denying any probable charge
that the tease might make. "Why,
haven't been saying word!' he cried
Polly laughed rs she ran to the door
mo. you haven't" she answered
mockingly. as one agrees with child
whose feelings have been hurt "TIe's
only been tellin' me he loved
Pausing an instant. she pointed at
Echo. ending her sentence with a
shouted "you."
With her hand on Jacks shoulder
Echo said: "Polly. you are n firt
You've too many strings to your bow "
"You mean I've too mony beaus to
my strings" laughingly answered the
girl
you'll have Slim Hoover and Bud
Lane shooting each other up all on
your account" chided Echo.
"Nothin' Of the kind" pouted Polly
Cant girl have friends? But
know what you two are waitin' for"
"WhatT asked Jack.
"You want me to vamose I'm hep
I'll vam." And Polly ran into the
kitchen to tell the men that the bride.
groom had arrived. but couldn't b
seen until the bride was through witt
an important interview with him. s.
she hustled them all into the LIVING
room, where the girls were.
This room was long and low apart
ment roughly plastered. The heav!
ceiling beams, hewn with axes, wer
uncovered, giving an old English ef
feet, although this was not striven fol
but made under the stress Of neces
sity. The broad windows were trel
Used with vines, through which fllteret
the sunshine. A cooling evening
breeze stirred the leaves lazily. Th
chairs were broad and comfortable
the workmanship Of the monks Of tn
neighboring mission. In the corner
stood squat earthen water jars o
Mexican molding. On the adobe wall
were hung trophies Of the hunt, wa
bonnets and the crudely made adorn
ments of the Apaches. Navajo blan
kets covered the window seats ant
were used as screens for sets Of
shelves built into the spaces betweel
the windows.
Polly carried In on tray q larg
bowl Of punch surrounded by glasse
and gourds. This was received Wit
riotous demonstrations. She placed l
in the center Of table made o
planks laid on trestles and, assiste'
by the other girls, served the men lib
orally from the bowl.
The guests showed the effects o
outdoor life and training. Their ges
lures were full and free. The tone
Of their voices were high pitched. bu
they spoke more slowly than thei
eastern cousins, as II feeling the neces
sity, even when confined, Of making
every word carry. No one lolled Il
his seat, but sat upright, as II stil
having the feel of the saddle unde
him..
| Toward women in all social gather
ings the cowboys act with exaggerate'
chivalry; but, as Sagebrush would dc
scribe 1t, they "herd by their lone
some" There Is none Of the CON
mingling Of sexes seen In the eas'
At a dance the girls sit at one end
the room, while the men group then
selves about the doorway until tn
music strikes up. Then each wi
seize bis partner after the boldest ha
made the first move. When the dane
measure ends, the cowboy will rarel
escort his partner to her seat. but Wi
leave her to find her way to her chun
while he moves sheepishly back to tn
doorway. to be received by his fe
lows with slaps OH the back and lou
jests. At table cowboys carry on III
tie conversation with the girls. The
talk among themselves, but at the W,
men. The presence Of the girls lead
them to play many pranks on on
another. The ice Is long In breaking
for their habitual reserve is not easil
worn off. Later In the evening thl
shyness Is less marked.
/ AS Jack and Echo entered the doo'
way Parenthesis had arisen from hi
seat at the head Of the table an
was beginning. Fellow citizens
Confused cries Of "Slt down." "Le
him talk" greeted him.
Sagebrush held up his hand for S
lence. go ahead. Parenthesis." b
cried encouragingly.
Parenthesis climbed on chair an
put foot on the table. This was to
much for the orderly soul Of Mr'
Allen. 'Take your dirty feet or m
tableclothp' she commanded, maxim