Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1909-02-19

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80 He sure did," answered Allen, with
"a twinkle in his eye, "an' thanked me
for takin' Josephine off his hands,"
The boys laughed. The Joke was
upon themselves, as they had expect
ed to hear romantic story of earlier
days. ~.
,a5 When the laughter had subsidized
Show Low suggested, 1T we can't dec
crate the wagon, let's put some fixin's
on the ponies"
The proposal was received with more
whoops, shouting and yipping. They
waltzed about the smiling rancher.
'"That's whatr cried Sagebrush en-
Enthusiastically.
Allen grew sarcastic, remarking, 81
reckon you all must have stopped some
time at the water tank"
Renewed laughter greeted this sally.
"This is my first weddin',"' explained
Sagebrush rather alphabetically.
II want to know!" exclaimed Allen
In surprise.
"I'm tellin' you. I never seed wed
din in all my lffe," replied Sagebrush,
as seriously as If he was denying a
false accusation Of serious crime.
Mother used to tell me about her'n.
an often visit I had been there"
Fresno shouted with amusement He
had Sagebrush ratified. The coolest
man on the range was flustered by the
mere thought Of attending wedding
ceremony.
Hes plum locoed over this one.
Amt you, Sagebrush?" he drawled
tauntfngly.
Sagebrush took his gliding In the best
Of humor. 1t was holiday, and they
were with people Of their own kind.
Had stranger been present the re-
marks would have been resented bit.
terly. On this point cowboys are par
dcularly sensitive. In the presence OF
outsiders they are silent, answering
only in monosyllables. never leading
in any conversation, and if any COM
ment is necessary they make it indi-
rectly.
"Well. amt no society bnd like you
are" laughed Sagebrush. The other '
joined with him in his merriment over
Fresnos discontinue. "Weddin's amt
so frequent where come from as they
is in Californy."
"It's the climate" answered Fresno,
with broad grin.
$50 you amt never been at wed
din'?" asked Allen, who was looking
for another opening to have more fun
with Sagebrush.
Again the cowboy became serious
and confessed: "Nope; I've OBLIGATED
at several plain killin's an been chief
usher ut a .lynchin', but this here's my
first weddin'. an I'm goin' to, turn
loose some an enjoy IT,
sagebrush srinned in anticipation
of the coed times that he knew lay in
store fer hin at the dance.
'ecC'ro cd up as if you was the
lnH!n attraction at this event" said
Allen. looking Sagebrush over care
fully ard spinning him around on his
heel
"Ail.'t l niussed up fne?" answered
) saGchrush.
2cu'rc the sure big turkey" inter-
2iuEted PARENT esis.
Ess.ScFTed ~ fine. with all the trim
MINIS" lau~hed Fresno. taking another
lab.at his friend.
{. g. Their sport was broken up for the
tire being by the appearance Of Polly
y at the door CT the ranch house. "Hello,
boys" she shouted. with the fascinat.
ing cordially of the western girl,
wherein the breath Of the plains. the
puisssy Of the air and the wholesome.
n Eea:s$o Of life are embraced In simple
I greeting and the clasp CT a hand.
The cowboys took of their hats and
Il made elaborate bows to the young wo.
man. "Howdy, Miss Polly2" they
! cried. - H. :. '$}
You sure do look, pert" added
4 Sagebrush with what he considered
his most winning smile. Fresno snick.
cred and hastily brushed back the hail
from his forehead. s +: /. H.: H.
Where's Jack?" she asked the two
men who at once ranged themselves
one on each side Of her. s..s-.;s;
He did not start with the boys
explained Allen. Hell be along soon
Polly 5@S Y =s. .:z 81 Il: ss.
Vel, now, when 1T comes to look
ers, what's the matter with Polly
Hope f exclaimed sagebrush slyly. I
Glances Of admiration were cast al
* the girl, who was dressed simply AMI
plainly IN q little white gown whiei
III: MTs. Allen had made for her for til,
Wedding. Polly's youth, good natur,
sS and ability to take care of hersel
made her a favorite on the ranch
ghes had no need OF defenders, but 4
an occasion should arise that PoIl,
required q knigh there were score
@$of guns at her service at an hour.
notice.
n ,ooks like a picture from a book
said Fresno. hoping to win back ti,
IF ground be had lost by sagebrush,
openly expressed admirat ion.
was fat tered by the comment
and the g1ances Of the boy which Ell
pressed their approval of her appear
I ailee more loudly than spoken worda