The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-01-28

Slim.
did Bud tell you about it?" inquired
Polly.
HE told me- Seems like you two
are goin' to get married"
"Uh-huh," laughed Polly happily.
"An'. oh. say. will you stand up fer
Bud?"
II reckon Bud can stand up fer him.
self now with you to help him." an
swered Slim emphatically.
"We'll run over and tell the boys
you're back shouted Bud.
| Slim took the hands of the young
people in his own big ones. I'm right
glad you two are goin' to hitch up" he
said II am dead sure you'll make
even runnin' team"
Polly glanced shyly at Slim. Bud
won't mind if you kiss me-" she limited.
Slim grinned sheepishly. In his en-
| barrassment he rubbed one foot on his
other leg. well. l ain't--never-that
is he stammered. Bud. II you all
don't mind" he boldly asserted after
| his bashfulness had waned. II reckon
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 ST.
| iently led her TO the house. Slim sat
down on keg behind the Ere. TAX
| ing some loose tobacco ard film or
rice paper from his pocket he deftly
rolled a cigarette and lighted 1t with
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 Il deep indrawing Of his breath
and a shrug Of the shoulders. he cried:
"Shucks! Nobody loves fat man,
raj that Slim had returned and was
waiting for them at the mess wagon
| they dropped their work and made for
him with wild whoOps and yeils Slim
smiled as he heard them coming.
Show Low made running jump.
throwing his arms about the shef11s
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 We. talk" shouted Show
Low. "or Wen 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-goin' to say word till I
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 he?" was Echo's fearful
greeting.
| well. ma'am, there's a man out
yonder that's been through fire an
birthstone fer your
| Echo stared over the prairies. Then
Jack was still searching for Dick.
! Slim had failed to find him. "Out
yOnder." she moaned. wringing her
hands.
'Wait minute" said Slim. "He
says to me. says he. Break it to her.
| Slim; tell her gentle-an' if she wants
me call, an I'll come Ma'am. 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 'em 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 We're bad hurted, an
Dick-well. ma'am, l leaned over him
jest in time to hear him say, Tell her
l know she was true an not to mind
Then he gave a little ketch Of his
breath an dropped back into my
| arms"
Echo sighed. The tragedy Of the
desert was very real to her. In the
many months that the two men had
been away she had lived through it
with them in poignant Imagination.
Great hearted Dickv she said. II
was not worthy of his love. And Jack
where is he?"
wait a 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 it coz
tanned told him everything.
You needn't say nothin' more. see
1t shinin' in your eyes," cried Slim.
Jack! Jackr he shouted. "You
I II nd -