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


stole away before he was observed.
Its all up with me-" he thought.
sBuck 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 natter
she asked.
Nothing. r. answered Bud. glanc
ing about him as If seeking some way
to escape.
You're lookin' mighty pale. Are
you sick?' persisted the girl
"Slim HOover-he's back Bud
could scarcely speak. His throat was
parched. Beads of perspiration stood
on his forehead.
"Whatr' cried Polly joyfully. 'Is
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 at sight" 1t was q 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
81 don't believe it," replied Polly in
dignantly. why. Sim
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 ont
In the desert he explained, with rapid
invention. Il don't want any run-in
with crazy man. | might have to
shoot. and Sims been good friend
Of mine. so I'm going to keep out of
his way for awhile. I'll ride over to
the railroad
Say. look here, are you scared of
Slim Hoover? Just let me handle
him" said Polly.
NO. no" eXpostulated Bud. Cant
you understand? We've been such
good friends, and-and-I can't pull
gun on him"
Polly was speechless with surprise.
Here he comes noww shouted Bud.
'I'll hide in the wagon herer'
Don't hide" counseled Polly
"Why?'
Bud gave her no answer, for he had
already disappeared under the cover of
the mess wagon.
Il don't like that little bit Slim
never acted locoed before. III have to
be mighty careful, s'pose. for l think
a heap of both Slim an Bud
Slim came up to the wagon with his
face wreathed 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 EchoY' 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 a 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. Il amt
gOin' to say nothin to nobody till see
Mrs. Payson."
"Oh, pshaw"' pouted Polly. Not
even to l;.c:"
Not even. What I've got to say she
must hear first. I'm kinder stiff. If
you don't mind, I'll set down a spell"
Sims face was drawn and worn.
Although lie had lost none of his
weight, he showed the effects of the
sieae of hard riding and fighting
thr = 2h which he had passed
The mental strain under which he
had labored had also worn him down.
Polly was more than soicit0us for his
comfort. Not only did she like the
sheriff, tut she was now fencing with
him IL protect her sweetheart from his
wrath.
'Neii. / low as maybe | am. Been
In the saddle for two weeks kin
have Il cup Of coffee?"
Polly began to mother him. This ap-
peal for bodily comforts aroused all
her wonianiy instincts. She made him
sit DOWN and poured the coffee for him,
saying: You sure can. With or with
out:''
IN play il 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 a wry face and danced
his feet up and down. as a child does
In anger or excitement
What's the matter" asked the girl.
with laugh.
IF this here's coffee give me tea, an
Il it's tea give me coffee" The sher-
lH put down his cup, with shrug Of
the shoulNers.