Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-01-22

Match
At Which One of the Parties
Was Sure to Win.
by AiNswoRTH RHODES.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

ne HESt time suN ifdiSl sue WIS
coming over her fathers broad acres
on horse whose lope was very like
rocking chair. She was riding strad-
die with divided skirts. No other wo.
man on the ranches tbereabout would
ride IN any other costume. Barker was
riding beside her. and the two made a
very handsome pair The brim of his
somhrero was flattened against his
forehead by the wind. Il lariat hung at
his saddle bow. and his splendid figure
was revealed by his costume-vIz.
flannel shirt and trousers. with boots
10 his knee.
Daisy had gone out from the east
with her father. who became sheep
raiser. and she had become fascinated
with ranch life. Unfortunately she
had conceived romantic idea of the
genus cowboy, and. Barker being phys
ically perfect type, she had persuad.
I'd herself. or. rather. he had persuaded
her. that he was just the man for her
say unfortunately" because he was
not an educated man and In every way
beneath her. There were other fea-
lures about him to render him unde-
sirable which will appear presently.
The couple passed me. all Of US sa-
luting. though they were unknown to
me. and l rode on 10 the ranch house.
where | had business with John Nolan
with reference to large purchase OF
wool. While dickering with him on
his veranda up the roadway came the
couple had met and alighted at the
foot Of the steps. Throwing their
Birdie reins over post. they walked
up on to the veranda. Then learned
that Daisy was Nolan's daughter.
As the pair passed into the house T
noticed cloud fit over the face of the
girls father. knew by Barker's
bearing toward her that he was In love
with her. and | judged that his atten-
lions were not relished by Nolan. But
he said nothing TO me then. and we
went on with our dickerlng. When
arose to go he said:
There's no place about here in
WHICH yOu Will bt CbuiAOItlpit CAStpb
my house. Send for you traps"
I accepted the invitation. especially
as was pleased at being under the
same roof with Miss Daisy knew
she had lover. but my attraction for
her did not then go so far as to intend
TO come between them. merely liked
the idea OF being near her during my
stay.
But ! stayed good while. and II was
not very long before she and each
made a discovery. discovered that
] wanted her. and she discovered that
she didn't want Barker. Meanwhile
found out something else-that he had
become frightfully jealous Of me. and
II ! took her away from him he would
probably kill me. At first he and
spoke TO each other when we met ell
Their on the ranch or elsewhere. Then
he only noticed me at the Nolan house.
| thought II best after awhile 10 re-
move to the $50 called hotel. mile
from Nolan's. II anything happened
between Barker and myself preferred
that It should not happen under No
lan's roof So one day removed my
luggage to my new quarters.
One morning | was sitting on the
porch Of the hotel smoking brier-
wood pipe. Barker came out of the
barroom, where he had been drinking,
and took seat about thirty feet from
me- didn't know he was there TIL.
turning my head saw him out OF the
corner OF my eye sighting his revolver
at me
Naturally | started.
Hold on there" said Barker. ''Your
pipe makes n fine target. We don't al
low people TO smoke such expensive
pipes out herc.''
The words were scarcely out OF his
mouth when felt n faint tick ON the
bowl OF the pipe. heard the crack of
gun and knew that bullet had passed
through the pipe.
"Wait up" he growled as ] was
about TO rise. Your pipe won't draw
with hole In Il. but it's still mighty
good TARGET"
I snatched a look al him. lie was
evidently under the influence OF liquor.
felt sure that II didn't let him shoot
at my pipe he would shoot AT me and
neryed myself TO stand another shot.
Indeed. this was all could do. for
was unarmed. But cold chill ran
down my back and cold sweat stood
out oil over me. Nevertheless ! put
up a pretty good front. sat with
comparative composure. occasionally
letting faint cloud Of tobacco smoke
escape from between my lips. but not
daring 10 move hairbreadth for fear
Of Interfering with the mans aim
Several persons from inside the hotel.
having heard shot. came out TO dis
cover who had been killed They ar.
rived Just In time to see the second
shot and the top OF the bowl OF my
pipe cut OF. They at once took In the
situation. and. seeing me coolly puff
ing. not knowing my internal condi-
ton. they cried out. Good pluck. stran-
ger.' "Stendy nerve"' "He amt no
tenderfoof.' and such like cumpli-
ments.
Presently third shot shattered what
was laff of the howl Of my nine and