Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-29
CHAPTER XVIII.

IDUD LANE. returning to camp,
X saw the returned sheriff sup
porting the dying murderer OF
L. Terrill and listening to what
was undoubtedly his confession. He
stole away before he was observed.
Its all up with me-" he thought.
Buck has told him. Slim hates me
along with Polly. I'll get away from
here tonight"
He met Polly by the mess wagon.
At once she saw that something had
happened. Bud was deathly pale. He
trembled when she spoke to him.
"Why, what on earth is the matter?'
she asked.
Nothing. p answered Bud, glanc-
ing about him as If seeking some way
to escape.
You're lookin' mighty pale. Are
you sick:" persisted the girl.
"S!im Hoover-he's back Bud
could scarcely speak. His throat was
parched. Beads Of perspiration stood
on his forehead.
WHAT cried Polly joyfully. els
Jack with him?"
Listen here" exclaimed the young
wooer. "Slim's heard about our going
to get married. and he's sworn to
shoot me ut sight" 1t was a lame,
halting explanation, but the best Bud
could invent on the spur of the mo-
ment. He wanted to get away to have
time to think
- don't believe It," replied Polly IN.
dignantly. "Why, Slim
In his excitement Bud would not let
her continue her defense Of the sheriff.
Its so. He's plumb locOed. The
sun must have touched his brains out
in the desert" he explained, with rapid
invention. II don't want any run-in
with a crazy man. might have to
shoot, and Sims been good friend
Of mine, so Pm going to keep out Of
his way for awhile. III ride over to
the railroad
Say, look here, are you scared Of
Slim Hoover? Just let me handle
him" said Polly.
mo. no." expostulated Bud. Can't
you understand? We've been such
good friends, and-and-I can't pull a
gun on hi!A."
Polly was spcechless with surprise.
Here he comes now!' shouted Bud.
"lll hide In the wagon here"'
Don't hide" counseled Polly.
"Why"
Bud gave her 10 answer, for he had
already disappeared under the cover Of
the mess wagon.
81 don't like that little bit Slim
never acted locoed before. I'll have to
be mighty careful, j s'pOse. for i think
heap of both Slim an Bud"
Slim came up to the wagon with his
face wrcathed in smiles. IF it amt
Miss Pollyw he yelled
Polly, having heard that crazy peo-
pie had to be humOred, ran to meet
him and threw her arms about his
neck.
You dear, sweet, old red headed
thing" she cried. when did you get
back? Where have you been? Where's
Jack? Have you seen Echo" One
question was piled upon the other by
the enthusiastic girl. Slim had tried
to stop her talking that he might give
answer, but he might as well have
tried to check sand storm. Out Of
breath and putting, he finally gasped:
whoa! Whoa! Yes'm. I've heard
Of them Kansas cyclones, but amt
never got hit with one afore."
Polly started all over again. "An'
Jack-did you find him? Tell me all
about it."
See here" answered Slim. II amt
goin' to say nothin' to nobody till I see
Mrs. Payson."
"Oh, pshaw!' p0uted Polly. "Not
even to me?"
Not even. What I've got to say she
must hear first. Pm kinder stiff. If
you don't mind, I'll set down SPELL"
Sims face was drawn and worn.
Although he had lost none Of his
weight, he showed the effects Of the
siege of hard riding and fighting
through which he had passed.
The mental strain under which be
had labored had also worn him down
Polly was more than solicitous for his
comfort. Not only did she like the
sheriff, but she was now fencing with
him to protect her sweetheart from his
wrath.
"You look tuckered out" she said.
"Well, low as maybe am. Been
In the saddle for two weeks. Kin
have cup of coffee?"
Polly began to mother him. This ap
peal for bodily comforts aroused all
her wOmanly instincts. She made hin
sit down and poured the coffee for him
saying: You sure can. With or with
Out?"
"Ill play 1t straight" grinned Slim.
II reckon you'll have to anyway
Here you are"
Slim took the cup with "Thankee.'
He drank long and deeply. Then be
paused, made wry face and danced
his feet up and down, as a child does
In anger or excitement.
"Whats the matter?" asked the girl
with u laugh.
IF this here's coffee give me tea, an
If it's tea give me coffee" The sher
iff put down his cup, with shrug OF
the shoulders.
Its the best we've got" replied
Polly. "Sagebrush got It,"
"Oh. that's it. l thought 1t tasted
like sagebrush. How's Bud?" he sud
denly demanded.
Polly glanced nervously at the speak
er.
"Ah right, l s'pose." She tried to bt
noncommittal. Her nervousness almos
betrayed her.
Amt you seen him lately?" Slim in
sisted.
Polly peeped into the wagon befor'
she answered the question. yes
see tim every once in awhile"
In an effort to change the subject o
conversation and get him away iron
all thoughts of Bud she asked, SAY
| Slim. what't boudoir?"
"a what wharf" suffered Slim.
"A boudOir." Polly repeated.
Slim was puzzled and looked II
Then q new thought lighted up hi
face.
"You don't mean Budweiser"
Polly, deeply serious. replied, "No