Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-03-03
CONTINUED FROM PAGE THREE

written
Polly could only gasp. These accusa-
tons were coming too fast for her to
answer.
You can't tell what man might do
in a case like that. Perhaps Dicks
away in the mountains, away from the
railroad, prospecting down in the Ghost
range, where he has been trying to To-
cate the lost lode There's lots of rea-
sons for his not writing to Echo, but
Echo doesn't seem to mind. A year
and a half is enough to mend any wo-
mans heart.''
"NOw, you began Polly, who was
growing angry under the charges which
were being heaped on her two best
friends by the overweight boy.
Bud would not let her finish, but
cried: echo never loved him. If she
did she would not be acting as she
is doing tonight"
Rushing to Echo's defense, Polly an
swered, 'She may or may not have
loved Dick Lane, but l know that she
loves Jack Payson now with all her
heart, an even if the PEACHES did
not get your brother he is as dead to
her as if they had"
Polly was startled and confused by
Buds accusations. Accordingly it was
relief to her when Jack PaySOn APP
peared on the scene. They had been
so interested in their conversation that
they did not hear him ride up to the
house. Hello, Polly! Hello, Bud"
were his cordial greetings, for he was
determined to ignore his former en-
ployee's hostility. Bud did not an
swer, but looked modify ON the
ground.
To eastern eyes Payson's wedding at
tire would appear most homogeneous.
About his waist was strapped a re-
Volver. His riding trousers, close fit
ting and corded, were buttoned over
the calves of his legs. Soft, highly
polished leather boots reached to his
knees. His shirt was of silk deeply
embroidered down the front and at
the collar. His jacket gave him ample
breathing room about the chest, but
tapered at the waist and chung close,
ly over the hips. He wore a sOmbrerC
and a knotted silk handkerchief. His
face was deeply sunburned except a
spot shaped like crescent just below
the hair line on the forehead, which
was protected from the sun by the hal
and the shade of the brim. 4 similar
line of fairer skin ran around the edge
of the scalp, beginning over the ears
His hair shaded the upper part of his
neck from the suns rays When hi:
hair was trimmed the untanned par
showed as plainly as if painted. 1t i
the mark of the plainsman in a city
er on a holiday.
"We1, it's about time that you go
here" said Polly, with a sigh of re
lief. "Where have you been?'
II stopped over at Sam Te;rills t.
see about something that I ordered
from Kansas City. Then had to g
back to my ranch
Bud started guiltily. Forgetting hi
determination to ignore Payson. h.
asked anxiously, "You didn't see Ter
rill, did your
ooh, yes. Why do you ask?"
Polly laid her hand on Payson's arm
and told him briefly of the shooting O
Terrill.
"Who shot him?' he asked when sh
had finished.
"They don't know. He was robbed
of pile Of money. Slim Hoover's jus
rode over to get a posse" she replied
looking toward the door. At this bi
of information Payson became anxiou
nh for hi
ceremony was uppermost in his mine
at the time.
"Well, he can get one after the wed
ding" Then he asked, us the minis
r ter here yetT'
Polly laughingly replied: Your
feelin' pretty spry now, but you'll b
as meek as a baby calf in littl
while. In this section bridegroom
tGeated worse than tenderfoot."
PaysOn smiled. He knew he was il
for thorough haZing by the boys
That's all right. I'll get back at yo
some day, when you and Bud
Polly interrupted him with remar
about minding his own business.
Bud avoided entering into the cor
versatiOn. He had walked toward th
door and was standing on the step
when he answered for Polly.
Looks as If your chances of ge
ting even with us is long way off,
he said. Turning, he entered tn
luuse to join the other guests, wh'
by the noise, were enjoying Allen
importations from Tucson to the DO
tom of every glass.
Polly looked after Bud, smiling quiz
zically. Buds mighty hopeful, ain
he? Amt you happy?''
"You bet! Don't 1 look itT' erie
Jack, rubbing his hands. "Nevt
thought 1 could be so happy. A fe
tow doesn't get married every day
the week"
mot unless he lives in Chicago.
hear it's the habit there" answere
Polly.