The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-01-18

| escort his partner to her seat, but will
| leave her to find her way to her chum,
while he moves sheepishly back to the
| doorway. to be received by his fell
| lows with slaps on the back and loud
| jests. At table cowboys carry on lit
tie conversation with the girls. They
| talk among themselves. but at the wo-
| men. The presence of the girls leads
| them to play many pranks on one
| another. The ice is long in breaking,
| for their habitual reserve is not easily
| worn off. Later in the evening this
| shyness is less marked.
AS Jack and Echo entered the door
| way Parenthesis had arisen from his
seat at the head of the table and
was beginning. Fellow citizens
Confused cries of "Sit down." '"Let
him talk" greeted him.
Sagebrush held up his hand for ST
lence. go ahead. Parenthesis." he
| cried encouragingly.
Parenthesis climbed on a chair and
| put a foot on the table This was too
much for the orderly soul of Mrs.
| Allen. 'Take your dirty feet or my
| tableclothr she commanded, making
a threatening moves toward the Of
fender.
Allen restrained her, and Fresno
! caused ParentheSiS to SubSide by yell
ing: Get down often that table, you
| idiot. There's the bride an groom
| comm in behind you. We can see 'em
through your legs, but we don't like
| that kim of frame.
Jack had slipped his arm about
! Echo's waist. She was holding his
| hand. smiling at the exuberance Of
their guests. Buck Mckee. who had
been drinking freely, staggered to his
| feet and hiccoughed: Here, now, this
/ here don't go-this spoonin' business.
There hain't goin' to be no mush an
| milk served out before the weddin' -
"Will you shut up?" admonished Slim
Hoover.
"No siree.' cried the belligerent Nc
| Kee. There hain't no man here can
shut me up. I'm Buck Mckee, i am,
an when starts in or weddin' feStivi-
! ties l DEAF
"This is one game you are not in on"
answered Jack quietly, feeling that he
would have to take the lead in the set
Element of the unfortunate Interrupt
ton of the fun.
That's all right, Jack" Mckee be-
gan. holding out his hand. Let by
Cones
Jack was in no mood to parley with
the offender. Mckee had not been in
vited to the wedding. The young
! bridegroom knew that if the first Of
Tense was overlooked it would only
| encourage him and he would make
trouble all the evening. Moreover, he
| disliked Buck because Of his evil habits
and ugly record.
You came to this wedding without
an invite- exclaimed Jack.
I'm here" he growled.
You're not wanted"
What" shouted Mckee, paling with
anger
Turning to his friends, speaking
calmly and paying no attention to the
aroused desperadO, Jack said: Boys,
you all know my objection to this man.
last Sitting the tongue of one of Uncle
Jim's calves"
ITS lie" shouted Mckee, pulling
his revolver and attempting to level 1t
at his accuser. Hoover was too quick
for him. Catching him by the wrist,
he deftly forced him to drop the muz-
zle toward the floor
: With frightened cries the girls hud-
died in corner. The other cowboys
upset chairs. springing to their feet.
drawing revolvers halfway from hOl-
sters as they did so.
Hoover had pressed his thumb into
; the back Of McKee's hand forcing him
to open his fingers and drop his gun
on the table Picking it up. Hoover
snapped the weapon open and empr1eo
.he cylinders OF the cartridges.
Jack made no move to defend him.
self. He was aware hts friends could
protect him.
"That'n do he said to the raging.
disarmed puncher. You can 60 Buck.
When | want you in any festivities
III send special invite to you"
I'm sure much obliged" sneered
Mckee. making his way toward the
door.
Here's your gun" cried Slim, toss
|, ing the weapon toward him.
Mckee caught the weapon, mutter-
ing Thanks
1T needs cleanin'." sneered the
sheriff
Turning at the doorway. Mckee said,
II hain't much stuck on weddin'S. any
way" Looking at Jack. he continued
threateningly, Next time we meet
It'll be at a little swaree Nv my own. v
: "Getr' was Jacks laconic and omi-
: nous command.
With assumed carelessness Mckee
answered: I'm a-gettin' Well gents
I hope you all II enjoy this here pink
tea. Say, Bud, put piece NV weddin'
cake in yer pocket fer me. wants to
dream on it"
"Who brought him herew asked