Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-04-27
CHAPTER XVIII.

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. Pud was deathly pale. He
trembed when she spoke to him.
"Why, what OH earth is the matter?"
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
''What!" cried Polly joyfully. SIS
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 a 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.
II don't believe it," replied Polly In
dignantly. "Why, Slim
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 out
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.
mo, MOI" expostulated Bud. Cant
you understand? We've been such
good friends, and-and-I can't pull q
gun ON him"
Polly was speeches. with surprise.
"Here he comes nowv' shouted Bud.
"I'll hide in the wagon herev'
Don't hide!" counseled Polly.
"Why?"
Bud gave her no answer, for he had
already disappeared under the cover Of
the mess wagon.
II don't like that little bit. Slim
never acted locoed before. I'll have to
be mighty careful. s'pose, for think
heap Of both Slim an Bud"
Slim came up to the wagon with his
face wreathed In smiles. IF it amt
Miss Polly" 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 Echo?" One
question war 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 sand storm. Out of
breath and putting. he finally gasped:
whoa! Whoa! Yes'm. I've heard
OF them Kansas cyclones, but l amt
never got hit with one afore."
Polly started all over again. IAN
Jack-did you find him? Tell me all
about it."
See here" answered Slim. II amt
goin' to say nothin' to nobody till SEE
Mrs. Payson."
"Oh, pshaw! pouted Polly. mo
even to me"
mot even. What I've got to say she
must hear first. Pm kinder stiff. Il
you don't mind, I'll set down spell"
Sims face was drawn and worn
Although he had lost none of hi,
weight, he showed the effects of tn,
siege Of hard riding and fighting
through which he had passed.
The mental strain under which b,
had labored had also worn him down
Polly was more than solicitous for his
comfort. Not only did she like tn,
sheriff, but she was now fencing will
wrath.
'You look tuckered out" she said.
''Well, l low as maybe l am. Beef
in the saddle for two weeks Kin
have a cup Of coffee?"
Polly began to mother him. This an
peal for bodily comforts aroused al
her womanly instincts. She made hir
sit down and poured the coffee for hin
saying: 'You sure can. With OF with
out?"
IN play 1t straight" grinned Slim.
Il reckon you'll have to anyway
Here you are"
Slim took the cup with "Thankee.
q h
paused, made wry face and dance
his feet up and down, as child doe
In anger OF excitement.
whats the matter? asked the cir
with laugh.
IF this here's coffee give me tea, III
If it's tea give Inc coffee" The shel
If put down his cup, with shrug Q
the shoulders.
Its the best we've got" reptile
Polly. "Sagebrush got It,"
"Oh, that's it. l thought it taste
like sagebrush How's Bud?" he SUI
denly demanded.
Polly glanced nervously at the speal
er.
"All right, l spose." She tried to /
noncommittal. Her nervousness almo!
betrayed her.
"Ain't you seen him lately?" Slim II
sisted
Polly peeped into the wagon befol
she answered the question. yes
see him every once IN awhile"
In an effort to change the subject
conversation and get him away fro
all thoughts Of Bud she asked, "Sa