The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-01-05
A Shooting
Match
=
At Which One of the Parties
Was Sure to Win.
BY AiNSWORTH RHODES.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

bSs~SSSSSSSSssSSs>S SsSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
The first time saw Daisy she was
coming over her fathers broad acres
on horse whose lore WAS very like
rocking chair. She was riding strad-
die with divided skirts No other wu
main on the ranches thereabout would
ride In any other costume Barker wis
riding beside her. and the two made
very handsome pair. The brin of Ills
sombrero WAS hattened against his
forehead by the wind, II iariat hung ut
his saddle bow. and his splendid figure
WIS revealed by Ills costume VIZ
llanuei shirt and trousers. with boots
TO his knee
Daisy had gene out from the east
with her father. who became IL sheep
raiser. and she had become fascinated
with ranch life. Unfortunately she
had conceived II romantic Idea of the
genus cowboy. and. Barker being phys
ieally perfect type. she had persuad-
ed herself. or. rather, he had persuaded
her. that he WAS just the man for her
! say UNFORTUNATELY" because he was
not an educated nan aud 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-
iuting. though they were unknown to
me. and | rode ON to the ranch house.
where | had business with John Nolan
with reference to II large purchase of
wool. While dickering With him on
his verandu up the roadway came the
couple | had met and alighted ut the
foot of the steps. Throwing their
bride reins over II post. they walked
up on To the veranda. Then | learned
that Daisy was Nolnn's daughter.
As the pair passed Into the house |
noticed Il cloud tilt over the face Of the
girls father knew by Barker's
hearing toward her that he WAS In love
with her. and | judged thai his ntten-
Hons were not reliihcd by Nolan. But
he said nothing 10 me then. and we
Went on with our diekering. When
| arose 10 20 he said:
There's no place about here In
which you will be comfortable except
my house Send for you traps"
accepted the invitation. especially
as ! WAS pleased III being under the
same roof with Miss Daisy ! knew
she had II lover but my attraction for
her did not then 20 50 far Ills to intend
to come between them. merely liked
| the idea Of being near her during my
stay.
But stayed coed while. ind II was
NOT very long before she and | each
made IL discovery. | discovered that
wanted her. and she discovered that
she didn't want Barker. Meanwhile 1
found out something else--thai he had
become friglltfully Jealous Of me, aud
If I took her away from him he would
probably kill me. At first hp and !
spoke to each other when we met ei-
thcr Oh the ranch or elsewhere. Then
he only noticed me at the Nolan house.
thought II best after awhile to re-
move to the ESQ called, hotel, u mile
from Solan's. II anything happened
between Parker and myself preferred
that II should not happen under No
lans roof. So one DAY removed my
luggage to my new quarters.
One morning | was sitting ON the
porch Of the hotel smoking u brier-
wood pipe. Barker came out of the
barroom. where he had been drinking,
anu toos n seat about thirty feet from
me. didn't know he was there till.
turning my head. ! saw him out Of the
corner of my eve sighting his revolver
nj me.
Naturally I started
Hold on there" said Barker. Your
pipe makes IL fine target. We don't al
low people 10 smoke such expensive
pipes out here!'
The words were scarcely out Of his
mouth when felt faint tick ON the
bowl Of the pipe. heard the crack Of n
gun ard knew that u bullet had passed
through the pipe.
"Wnit up.' he growied az | was
about to rise. Your pipe won't draw
with II hole In ii. but it's still a mighty
good turyet.'.
I snatclied look at him. He was
evidently under the Influence Of liquor.
| felt sure that n ! didn't let him shoot
NJ NV pipe lie would shoot AT me and
nervcd myself to stand another shot.
Indeed. this was all | could do. for
WAS uuarmed. But n cold chill ran
down my back and II cold sweat stood
out all over me. Nevertheless | put
up II pretty good front. sat with
comparative composure. occasionally
letting Il faint cloud Ut tobacco smoke