Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-29
NUMBER 26.

other leg. "Well, I ain't-never-tha
ls"- he stammered. bud, II you all
don't mind" he boldly asserted after
his bashfulness had waned, II reckon
I will play one little bet on the red"
The sheriff never did anything in .
small way. The kiss he gave her full
on the lips was resounding one.
Bud took Polly by the hand and 81.
lently led her to the house. Slim sat
down on keg behind the fire. TAX.
ing some loose tobacco and film Of
rice paper from his pocket, he deftly
rolled cigarette and lighted 1t with
q brand from the blaze. With sigh
he removed his hat. He was the pic
ture of detection. For several mo.
ments he sat in deep thought. Then,
with a deep indrawing Of his breath
and a shrug Of the shoulders, be cried:
"Shucks! Nobody loves fat manw
When Polly told the boys in the cor.
ral 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 be heard them coming.
Show Low made q running Jump,
throwing his arms about the sheriff's
neck. Parenthesis 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 it up with the 'Paches,"
asked Parenthesis.
"Talk, durn ye, talk" shouted Show
Low, "or We'll hang out your hide"
Slim shook the hands OF his COM
rades in turn affectionately.
For each he had his own particular
form Of greeting. "No, boys he said
when the group became more orderly.
Il amt a-gcin' to say word till |
see Mrs. Payson first"
Polly had ridden at once to the house
to tell the joyful news Of Sims return
to Echo. who hurried at once to the
boys about the wagon.
Parenthesis spied her riding down
the trail. "She's comm now," he
cried.
Boys" requested Slim, would you
mind herdin off yonder bit?'
The cowpunchers strolled over to the
cottonwood, leaving Echo to meet
Slim alone.
Where is heY' was Echos fearful
greeting.
"Well, ma a'am, there's man out
yonder that's been through fire an
birthstone fer you!"
Echo stared over the prairies. Then
Jack was still searching for Dick.
Slim had failed to find him. "Out
yonder." she moancd. wringing her
hands.
"Wait minute" sail Slim. HE
says to me. says he, Break it to her.
Slim; tell her gcntlc-an' il she wants
me call, an III come Maam Dick
Lane is dead"
Echo shuddered. Dead" she repeat
ed, "by his
"No, no." interrupted Slim; mot that
way. Indians. Jack found Dick. an
the Indians found EN- both. When /
come up with the soldiers from Fort
Grant they was havin' the derndest
mixup with the Indians you ever did
see Both men were bad hurted, an
Dick-well ma'am, | leaned over lSm
Jest In time To hear him say. Tell her
| know she was true an not Ia mind
Then he gave little ketch Of his
breath an dropped back into my
arms"
Echo sighed. The tragedy Of tie
desert was very real To her. In the
many months that the two men had
been away she had lived through II
with them in poignant Imagination.
Great hearted Dick she said. Il
was not worthy Of his love. And Jack
where is he!"
"Wait minute. He wants To know
If you can forgive him-if you will take
him back"
Slim was the only word Echo Ut.
tered. but the volume Of love ii con
/. tanned told him everything.
"You needn't say nothin' more. see
It shinin' in your eyes," cried Slim.
Jack. Jack he shouted. You
derned idiot. come a-runnin"
Payson hurried up from the arroyo
within which he had been waiting.
Echo. have not altogether failed
In my mission. have not brought
Dick Lane back, but hope l come
from him bearing something Of his 10y
atty and simple faith. IL you ever can