The Tupelo journal., 1911-12-15
Her Cowboy
(Copyrigh.. 1911. BY Associated Literary Prsss.)
By PHILIP KEAN


knew he'd turn up before we fin
ished."
Meredith frowned. 81 don't like
the idea," he said, Sof his pursuing
you in this way. It's idiotic, to say
the least"
"To love me?"
"You know / don't mean that.
But to run after you. Why, it will
make you conspicuous, Vic"
"No, he never goes as far as
that" Victoria said, meditatively.
"You take him at this moment. He
is in the far corner of the room, or
dering his dinner-and a very good
dinner he knows how to order-and
keeping his eyes to himself"
"How do you know he orders q
good dinner? ?" Meredith demanded.
'I've eaten one or two"
"When ?"
"While you were away. Oh, Phil
ip, don't look like such a thunder
cloud. Why shouldn't / eat din
ners with other people while you
are away?"
"But a cowboy like that-did you
see his hat, Victoria?"
II like his hat" Victoria stated
cit looks nice and wild and west
ern. He's 90 proud Of being from
the coast that he wants everybody
to know it, and his sombrero is the
sign and seal thereof"
"You seem to like a good many
things about him." Meredith's tone
was jealous. you've evidently
made some progress in your friend
ship with him since l left town."
We've had some funny times to-
gether-some awfully good times,
too. He likes out-of-door things.
We've explored all the bride paths
in the parks. He rides like a CEN
taur."
"And / don't ride. It's his horse
against my automobile, eh?"
NO." she shook her head. 81
don't think of you two men that
way, at all"
"How do you think of us?"
"Shall / tell your"
eyes. Go ahead"
"Well, it's like this" she leaned
her elbows on the table and stared
at him with unseeing eyes. when
you went away you were a very good
friend of mine. You told me that
you liked me very much-that you
desired my friendship-my friend
ship she emphasized the word.
"You have been gone six months,
and in all hat time you have writ
len me five letters. In each of them
you told me of the good times you
were having; that you'd be glad to
e me when you returned; that I
mustn't forget that the first day you
came to town we were to have dinner
together here-and now we're hav-
ing it." she smiled at him brightly;
Ssand the oysters and soup and birds
were delicious, and the salad and the
sweets and coffee will be worthy sue
cessors to that which has come be-
fore. And when we have eaten the
dinner you will take me home in
your very lovely car, and at the door
you will say, IT'S been great, Vic.
we'll 60 again-good-by.' And some
day we will 60 again, and you'll say
the same thing-and on and on
until you get tired-and 60 away for
good"
"Why, Vic" He looked at her
sharply. whats the matter with
you?"
"Wcll, you wanted to know how /
think Of you and of Colin Scott off
there in the corner"
"Yes."
"Colin came into my life just aft
er you left. And he fell in love with
me Other men have fallen in love
with me, but this was different.
Without any encouragement on my
part he has taken upon himself .
guardianship that might be irritat-
ing were it not SO comforting. For
80 many years | have had to atrug-
gle on alone-unprotected-and you
don't know bow often my heart has
been in my mouth, when | have gone
home late from rehearsals, or from
the music studio. Women who sing
seem to belong to the public, and
got used to being stared at, but II
could never quits. accustom myself to