West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-04-01

Can't YOU sceg" the boy asked.
Polly, wanted 70 make homo for
her, and now she'll know me for what
am. thief-a thief"
Bud buried his face I'm his hands.
the tears trlckling through his fingers.
although he fought strongly against
showing HIS weakness
slim rose and stepped 10 his side.
laying his hand on the boys shoulder.
"Mebbe she won't have TO know.
Buck he's dead, an only YOU an me
know"
Bud looked ut the speaker in amaze
ment \ lovablc smile crcpt over
Sims face Pm goin'." he said TO
slip You new deck an give YOU q
fresh deal That was part my money
that was stole. | never come back at
the county fer Il. Buck he's paid back
his half. I'll let 'em all think &c was
| the whole. I'll put I'm thousan' |
have at home that l was savin' to buy
In with the Triangle II I'm case don't
git el2ted mex time. So, Bud. I'm
.goin' 10 lend thousan' OF this to YOU
Just 10 give n chance at that little
home"
You're the whitcst man ever
knew" cried Bud.
II reckon | amt colorcd, 'cept a lit
tie red mite on top" laughed slim. He
disliked any show OF feeling by the
| boy over the offer he had made.
"But | can't take your money" Bud
protested
Yes, YOU can" assured Slim. You
pay II back when you get on your feet
m traNF N.a col
Sims generosity overwhelmed the
boy. Take my wordv" no cried.
slim laid his hands on the boys
shoulders. Yes" he declared. you've
made your first bad break, but you've
had your first lesson. An you alnt
gon' 10 forget It," he added emphat-
lcally.
And PollyT' he faltered.
There aln't nobody goin 90 tell her"
Speaking sternly 10 Bud, he added.
You make her good husband"
Bud seized the sheriff's hand, wiring
Ing 1t warmly. II Will, Slim; will"
he promised
The walt had been too long for Polly.
She returned before Slim called her,
saying: "Im tired waitln' on you all.
Haven't you finished up that business
YETI"
"Yes, ma'am; It's finished" replied
Slim.
did Bud tell you about itf' inquired
Polly.
He told me. Seems like you two
are goln' 20 get married"
"Uh-huh." laughed Polly happily.
AN. OH, say, viii you stand up fer
BudT
81 reckon Bud can stand up fer him
self now with you to help him." an
swered Slim cmphatically.
We'll run over and tell the boys
you're backv shouted Bud.
Slim took the hands OF the young
people In his own big ones. "Pm right
glad you two are goln' TO hitch up" he
said. IL am dead sure you'll make
| even runnln' team"
| Polly glanced shyly at Slim. Bud
won't mind II you kiss me-" she hinted.
Slim grlnned sheepishly. In his en-
barrassment he rubbed one foot on his
other leg. "Well, l aln't-never-that
is"- he stammered bud, II you all
don't mind" he boldly asserted nfter
his bashfuness had waned, II reckon
| Will play one little bet on the red"
| The sheriff never did anything In n
small way. The kiss he gave her full
on the lips was resounding one.
Bud took Polly by the hand and 81
| lenty led her TO the house Slim sat
down on keg behind the fire. TAX
| Ing some loose tobacco and n film OF
rice paper from his pocket. he deftly
rolled cigarette and lighted It with
n brand from the blaze. with sigh
he removed his hat. He was the pie
ture OF detection. For several mo-
ments he sat in deep thought. Then,
with deep indrawing OF his breath
ond shrug Of the shoulders. be cried:
"Shucks! Nobody loves fat manp
When Polly told the boys I'm the cor
raj that Slim had returned and was
waiting for them at the mess wagon
they dropped their work and made for
him with Wild wboops and yells. Slim
smiled as he heard them coming,
| SHOW Low made running lump,
| throwing his arms about the sheriffs
neck. Parenthesls and Sagebrush
each grabbed hand pumping up and
down emphatically. The others slap
| ped him on the back. All talked at
once, asking him the news and wheth.
! er Jack had returned.
did you nip II up with the 'Paches,"
asked Parenthesls.
Talk. durn ye, talk" shouted show
! Low, cor we1l hang out your hide"
Slim shook the hands Of his com
/ rades I'm turn affectionatcly
For each he had his own particular
form Of greeting. "No, boys" he said
when the group became more orderly.
| II ain't a-ROln' 10 say n word till /
see Mrs. Payson first"
! Polly had ridden at once 10 the house
TO tell the joyful news Of Sims return
to Echo, who hurried Mt once 10 the
| boys about the wagon.
Parentbesis spied her riding down
the trail. "She's comm now" he
cried.
Boys" requested slim, would you
mind herdin' off yonder n bitfr
The cowDunchers stroled over to the
cottonwood, leaving Echo 10 meet
Slim alone
Where is hc?" was Echo's fearful
greeting.
"Well, ma'am, there's man out
yonder that's been through fire an
birthstone FER your
Echo stared over the prairles. Then
Jack was still searching for Dick.
Slim had failed 10 find him. "Out
yonder," she moaned. wriuging her
! hands
wait minute" said Slim. "Ho
says 70 me. says he. Break it TO her.
| Slim: tell her rcDflc-au' II sbo vUopts