The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1909-10-28

Bessie Blake? Sc you have heard
that, nave you? Now, I amt forgotten,
Jim, what a good Teller you We're when
I'VE were kids on Turkey creek together,
and ri tell you something straight.
I want to marry her all right, but !
hain't never said nothing 'cause-well,
fcause I amt fit and I'm poor"
The train jolted along noisily and
the speaker vas embarrassed by the
pause that followed, SO that he finally
schoolmate. That young man was
looking meditatively at h car ceiling
as he pulled away at his pipe. He was
thinking, as afterward developed, of
the little school house down on Turkey
creek. He could almost see the small,
low seats with high, straight backs,
one Of which was occupied by a black
haired little chap with eyes that wan-
dered just across the aisle where Bes-
sic sort, and a jolly little tswhead whom
he called Jimmie. Jim never had a
serious thought then, and now he was
thinking nonchalantly enough of a very
solemn topic.
you're right, old man. I don't like
the way our folks speak Of the old
woman around the place, and I always
made up my mind my wife would new
er be my woman 'Tain't right. Wom-
an Is a delicate creature, Jimmie" he
continued, as If talking to the towhead
on the old play ground.
you amt in love, be you, Bert2'
remarked the other %curiously. You
have good idea for a mar who never
thought about 1t, eh?"
II amt lucky enough, Jimmie. I'll
be a long time indin' ~anybody'I have
me-"
Now you're jest talking, old man
Bert. T know you. When We were little
fellows, do o call to mind that day
you was married to-yes, by links, to
Bessie Blake? I b'lieve you're in love
with her now, man; how you're red
denim up. 'Tain't no shame to you,
fur she's the prettiest gal in western
Nebraska. Fess up"
"Of course, we all-but what's the
use, Jim, what's. the Use" The dark
head fell with apparent ~sleepiness on
the back of the seat and he paused alb
ruptly.
never studied a bit, yet you were
ahead Of us all in 'rithmetic, and I
never saw such a fellow to spell US all
down. Then you always made more
money than I did. Betcher strike a
good claim up in Rosebud"
IT I don't I can't ask Bessie Blake
to have me, and chances are that that
eastern feller'll get her" The train
bumped along as If it had left the
track and then slowed down limos to
a stop. II tell you, BERT" exclaimed
the other eagerly, Tets make a grand
lottery. Well team it against that
eastern Teller. If you get a claim I
help you get her, and If / get a COED
one ! get the gal. What dye say2"
and the fair haired young giant laughed
in his good natured way.
But Bessie ought to decide that.
and not you nor me. Guess we better
go 1t alone"
"Oh, go on, Bert. Let's have some
fun. P'raps we won't either one Of us
get anything. anyway. It's a CO."
IT'D rather say that the one who gets
a good claim will nave the first chance,
and the other'll give him lots Of lee
way. Amt that better for the grip"
"Done!" said Jim d%elightedly and
chuckled with pleasure as he curled up
in his seat and finally sank into a
ldoZe.
You'll get her all right, Jim, aus
you're always lucky, and I don't be-
lieve the gal would have me anyway"
said Bert Watkins. as the tive sepa-
rated at a little cross roads station
out in the sandhills On their return
from Bonesteel.
The other broke into one OF his
hearty laughs as he retorted, 'aTwon't
be my fault, Bert, If I do"
Bessie Blake was the pride OF the
ranchers for miles around, for didn't
O~NS ~AA - LIE S0Hlln1rV
and wasn't h just the same Bessie,
riding the fastest horse and shooting
the prairie chickens with the best of
them, In spite of her years in the east !?
Her father, not rich, but well-to-do.
with a large family to support. The
girl possessed his generous, easy go
ing nature. combined with the refine
ment and grace of the little mother
who was the inspiration Of the Blake
household. But she was a true child
OF the prairie and when she was not
busy at the home In the twilight she
would steal out on her favorite horse.
Jiffy, and ride like the wind to the hill.
top to see the unrivalled western sun
set.
On this particular night she re-
manned q little longer than usual. She
started rapidly homeward, taking the
fences that ~interposed with the grace
ease OF a veteran rough rider.
Just as she cleared a low rail fence
her stirrup gave way and she fell sud
denly an a bunch of prairie grass. un-
hurt, her faithful horse shying to one
! d n h standing stock still al
most like a. human being in intelIi-
gence.
Miss Bessie, you amt hurt. are
you?" little figure vaulted the fence,
his horse remaining loose in the road
outside, and STOPPING he booked into
her white face anxiously.
It's me. Bert Watkins, Bess. You
amt badly hurt, are your"
Not a bit" The girl smiled as her
color struggled back into her round
cheeks and she weakly threw back her
blonde curls that dropped over the
eyes. I'm all right. OH. shc ers
o1afmad INV ankln hr,rx~ A,.-