Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-04-30

"Uh-huh," laughed Polly nappny.
can, oh. say. will you stand up fer
Bud%
81 reckon Bud can stand up fer him
self now with you to help him." an
swered Slim emphaticaly.
"We'll run over and tell the boys
you're back" shouted Bud.
Slim took the hands of the young
people in his osn big ones. I'm right
glad you two are goin to hitch up" he
said. Il am dead sure you'll make a
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-tha
is he stammcred. Bud. If 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 a
small way. The kiss he gave her full
on the lips was resembling one.
Bud took Polly by the hand and ST.
lently led her to the house. Slim sat
down on a keg behind the fire. TAX
ing some loose tobacco and a film of
rice paper from his pocket. he deftly
rolled cigarette and lighted it with
q brand from the blaze. With sigh
he removed his hat. He was the pic
ture of detection. For several mo-
| hn Snt IN
with Il deep indrawing of his breath
and shrug of the shoulders. he cried:
"Shucks! Nobody loves a fat man"
When Polly told the boys in the cor
raj that Slim had returned and was
they dropped their work and made for
him with wild whoops and yells. Slim
smiled as he heard them coming.
Show Low made running jump,
throwing his arms about the sherff's
neck. Parenthesis and Sagebrush
each grabbed Il 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.
ibid you nip it up with the PEACHES"
asked Parenthesis.
'"Talk, durn We, talk" shouted Show
Low, cor We'll hang out your hide"
Slim shook the hands of his COM
rades in turn affectionately.
For each he had his OWL. particular
form Of greeting. NO. boys" he said
when the group became more orderly,
II amt a-goin' 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 hurlio7 at once to the
boys about the ", =
Parenthesis 81: ) riding down
the trail shes comia' now," he
cried.
Boys" requested Slim. would you
mind herdin' off yonder Il bit?"
The cowpunchers strolled over to the
cottonwood leaving Echo to meet
Slim alone
Where is hep" was Echos tearfu
greeting.
"Well, ma'am. there's man GU
|
birthstone fer your
a Echo stared over the prairies. Thel
Jack was still searching for Dick
Slim had failed to find him. "Ou
p yonder," she moaned, wringing he
, hands.
n "Wait a minute" said Slim. 81
Y says to me, says he Break it to hel
t Slim; tell her gentle-an' if she want
k me call, an I'll Gomez Ma'am, Dicl
3 Lane is dead.'
I Echo shuddered Dead" she repea,
ed, "by his
mo, no." interrupted Slim; mot tina
way. Indians. Jack found Dick, al
the Indians found 'em both. When
come up with the soldiers from For
Grant they was havin' the derndes
miXup with the Indians you ever di
see. Both men We're bad hurted, al
Dick-well, ma'am, l leaned over hiI
jest In time to hear him say, Tell he
know she was true an not to mind
Then he gave a little ketch Of hi
breath an dropped back into m
| arms"
Echo sighed. The tragedy of til
| desert was very real to her. III tt
! many months that the two men ha
| been away She had lived through
| with them in poignant Imagination.
| Great hearted Dick" she said.
| was not worthy of his love. And JAG
| where is he?"
| "Wait minute. He wants to kno
if you can forgive him-if you will tai
| him back
j "Slim!' was the only word Echo u
\ tered, but the volume Of love 1t co
tanned told him everything.
you needn't say nothin' more. s,
it shinin' in your eyes" cried Slim.
Jack! Jack!' he shouted. "Yt
derned idiot, come a-runnin'"
Payson hurried up from the AFRO.
within which he had been waiting.
i echo, l have not altogether fail,
y in my mission l have not broug
Dick Lane back, but l hope l cor
from him bearing something Of his lo
~ atty and simple faith. If you ever CT