The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-01-06

hung there. all the breath gone from him.
Then he Topped to the ground, sitting
helpless beside clump Of brOomwood.
why. Mister Dave! What're YOU try
ing to do? came in accents OF wild surprise.
There In blackboard was Mrs. Davis,
whose husband had ouarter-section by
Big Spring. Beside her was girl. She
was leaning back, shaking with laughter
that revealed her strong, white teeth and
heightened the warm pink OF her cheeks
You oughtn't for TO have made for that
tree Its wonder YOU wasn't hurt. Mis-
ter Dave. the nester's wife expostulated.
II oughtn't to-do you think | done hit
that limb that away on purpose, Miz
Daviss Dave inquired, his eyes bulging.
You was riding 50 beautiful. | was
hoping Mary Lou here would see YOU run
him clean across the plain. It's pity.
That was shore a good chance You'll
never get another like it, Mister Dave"
The cook got heavily TO his feet and
moved first one leg, then the other, to
ascertain in just how many places the
bones were broken. Finding that they
gave him support, he approached the two
women.
mister Dave. let me make YOU ac-
quainted with my cousin Mary Lou. Her
names Cole. Mister Dawes name is
Bggerstaff, Mary Lou"
1t was an awkward moment Dave had
seen more than his share Of the gay world,
having trailed cattle to Dodge four times
back in the nincties: but for once in his lie
appropriate chatter iorsook his tongue.
Catching her glance, he looked away in
confusion.
"You-all going TO Big Spring now?" he
inquired at length.
''Acs ! reckon we ought to make it
aior dark
~ c make our camp there tomorrow.
I'll bring YOU over some beef, Miz Davis. +"
"Thank you kindly, Mister Dave. You
come an see us. Mary Lou will give you
some Of her cake She's she re good cook. "
II reckon 50, he agreed gallantly.
"Well, adios. We must be moving
Don't forget to come an see us.
They drove away and Dave waved them
farewell brazenly Limping with pain, he
hied him back TO camp, where he spent two
hours irving to instill a glimmer Of gentle
mans sense Of honor and fair play into
Dick and those who should have herded
the steer.
= The night was starry and Dave 5 thoughts
were tinged sweetly with sentiment as he
washed the dishes on the first camp at Big
Spring. He would pay call Why not3
Other boys did, and why not he? Pshaw,
he was not old: he was never better in his
life. The cook donned boots instead Of the
shoes He usually wore for comfort, and they
were pleasantly and odorously creased.
His shirt was a fine, clean yellow from hard
washiugs in alk2li water, and he had plas~
tered down his hair in a straight " lick
over one eve. These concessions TO appear
ance were not lost on Mr. and Mrs Davis,
who welcomed him with eagerness. Dave
earned fifty dollars month owned thirty
head OF cattle grazing on the Lazy Lrange
and sas a man Of consequence. Mary Lou
greeted him with some reserve, and ht
dropped her hand in haste As he turned
helplessly to mop his brow, a stumpy figure
with red hair emerged from dark corner 4
"Howdy Dave"
"Howdy, Bobby. What're you doing
here? asked Dave.
Il just rode by"
Nothing mere was said for time, Dave
gazing meditatively at point in the all
about three feet from him and perspirins
painfully. He began to wonder whether
his tale OF the two owls was proper tidbit
to spring in polite circles Dick liked il
better than any OF his stories. but Dick
taste had once or twice been at fault. h'
suspected. Bobby held seat close to Mis-
Cole: the hester and his wife were makiGj
popcorn balls on the far side OF the room
and the cook occupied middle position
that seemed far removed. At last, Bobby
I'm surprised at you riding out at nigh
so far from camp, Dave.
What for are you surprised? " the cool
inquired.
"A man OF your age oughtn't for to b.
chasing over the country in the dark "
My age. sputtered Dave, my age.
"You mus be all OF forty Dave" con
tinued Bobby kindly. you oil rascal
you!
"Forty.n-with snort-"fo forty! No
where's near it.
How old are you, Mister Dave
Thirty thirty-two, ma'am
81 amt afraid Of riding at night" h
continued evenly, after an interval given t
thought 1t CANT hurt me none.
CANT make me stuntcd. | done got m
full growth.
u reckon you have" observed Bobb,
81 shore hope 80 for your own sake, Dave.
The cook lelt at least two hours earlis
than he had intended, and he did not st
Mary Lou again for week.
c Then he took a stern resolution. tn
- I.x. A.