Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-02-26
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
NTERING the living room, Bud
r. found Echo surrounded by sew
eral girls from Florence and the
- neighboring ranches, who were
driving her almost distracted with
their admiring attentions, for she was
greatly disturbed about her lovers in
explicable absence. Had she been free
from the duties Of hospitality she
would have leaped on her horse and
gone in search Of him.
Echo's wedding attire would seem as
homogeneous as Jacks to the eyes of an
easterner, yet 1t was entirely suited to
the circumstances, for the couple in
tended as soon as they were married
to ride to little hunting cabin Of
Jacks in the Tortilla mountains, where
they would spend their honeymoon.
She was dressed in an olive green
riding habit which she had brought
from the east The skirt was divided
and reached just below the knees. Her
blouse, of light material and brown in
color, was lcose. allowing free play for
her arms and shoulders. High riding
boots were laced to the knees. A SON.
brero and riding gloves lay on the
table ready to complete her costume.
Bud coldly acknowledged Echo's af-
fectionate and happy greeting and
CURLY informed her that Jack had ar.
rived.
She rushed out of doors, with cry
of Joy.
Running across the courtyard toward
her lover, who awaited her with out
stretched arms. she began:
"Well, this is nice time, you out
rageous"- Then Polly stopped her
with mock serious look. wait
minute-wait minute" the girl
drawled as If refining in too eager
horse. Don't commence CALM love
names before you get the hitch. Time
enough after. He has been actin up
somethin' scandalous with me-"
Jack threw up his hands in protest,
hastily denying any probable charge
that the tease might make. "Why,
haven't been saying world" he cried
Polly laughed as she ran to the door.
mo, you haven't" she answered
mockingly, as one agrees with a child
whose feelings have been hurt. Hes
only been tellin' me he loved''-
Pausing an instant, she pointed at
Echo. ending her sentence with
shouted "you.'
With her hand on Jacks shoulder
Echo said: Polly, you are hirt.
You've too many strings to your bow"
"You mean I've too mony beaus to
my strings" laughingly answered the
GIRL
"Youll have Slim Hoover and Bud
Lane shooting each other up all on
your account" chlded Echo.
"Nothin' Of the kind" pouted Polly.
Cant girl have friends? But l
know what you two are waitin' for"
"WhatY asked Jack.
you want me to vamose. I'm hep.
TN vam." And Polly ran into the
Kitchen to tell the men that the BRIDE
seen until the brit" WAS through with
an important inter- i,w with him. So
she hustled them all into the living
room, where the gii.s We're.
This room was Il l.m:. and low apart
ment. roughly plastcrcd. The heavy
ceiling beams, hewn with axes. We're
uncovered. giving an old English eff
feet. although this was not striven for.
hut made under the stress of neces-
fsity. The broad windows were trel-
lised with vines. through which filtered
the sunshine. y cooling evening
breeze stirred the leaves laZily. The
chairs were broad and comfortable,
the workmanship Of the monks Of the
neighboring mission. In the corners
stood squat earthen water jars Of
Mexican molding. On the adobe walls
were hung trophies Of the hunt. war
Donnets and the crudely made adorn-
ments Of the Apaches. Navajo blan-
kets covered the window seats and
were used as screens for sets of
shelves built into the spaces between
the windows.
Polly carried in on Il tray large
bowl of punch surrounded by glasses
and gourds. This was received with
riotous demonstrations. She placed it
in the center Of table made of
planks laid on trestles and. assisted
iby the other girls, served the men lib
orally from the bowl
The guests showed the effects of
outdoor life and training. Their ges-
;tures were full and free The tones
of their voices were high pitched. but
they spoke more slowly than their
eastern cousins, as If feeling the neces-
:sity, even when confined of making
every word carry. No one lolled in
Ibis seat, but sat upright, as if still
having the feel of the saddle under
him.
Toward women in all social gather
ings the cowboys act with exaggerated
chivalry; but, as Sagebrush would de
scribe 1t. they herd by their lone
some" There is none of the com
mingling of sexes seen In the east
At a dance the girls sit at one end OF
the room. while the men group them