The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-09
ny LOUISE MERRIF1EIlD.
Copyright. 1912, by the Associated
Literary Press.)


Copyright, 1912, by the Associated
Literary Pr-ss.)
Lon He-rick was up the hills
trapping that week. Therefore y
CHANGED hat out OF the whole COM
munity at Three Cheers he was the
sole male absent when Mrs. Buss ar
rived. She came without warning.
e.eH-as-a stray cat settled
herself In the ingienook Of Three
Cheers heartsome hearth by the
t.me Lon haek-@
She's a fine Apecimen Of \ woman.
Lonnie." said Noonan tentatively. yet
with a sort OF Submerged enthusiasm.
About thirty-eight, maybe"
What did she come after? asked
Lonnes who WAS u sooer and cAu-
tious individual.
ITO make q living. same A. the
rest of us. She's opened UP q sort
OF home bakery. said he couldn't
be bothered with steady boaruers,
but she can cook. Lonnie."
It's the first Loux they put into
U.s." said Lonnie. lis h fat?"
She's what an onlooker might
call, nicely distributed" said Noonan.
biitheiy. And by The powers Of
Mol keilys' quart cup, she has .
way with her"
I'm surprised at you. Dan, and
a wife ALREADY listening for your
homecomiE>. Let them alone If you
would have peace. man."
Was you ever married. Lonnie 2"
asked Noonan. /.
1T didn't take" said Lonnie.
gently. I'm not a Preside, compan-
lon. There's lone OF them good for
a trail mate"
g, oull like Mrs. Buss' mince pies.
lad, all the same. and is me that
knows the taste OF them"
Trap me one r. orinE 1t up"
said Lonnie. Il have TO time to 20
after the sex"
So 1t happened that the two did not
meet Lonnie was away most OF
the hunting season, and only came
into camp at intervals. In the spring.
when the water burst the ice on the
rivers. he came home. and the long
wait had only made Mrs. Buss more
Indifferent to his existence.
Ia that him 2" she asked. when
Noonan pointed him out. stalking
%leisurely up the main street of Three
cheers, his old coauskin cap. with Its
dangling tail, hiding his face from
sight. his three hounds at his heels.
The poor fellow"
- "hy 1O yOu ~ tAiht u
Ms. Bussa" aueried Dan. tends 'ly.
Hes a fine figure OF a man."
I'm thinking what q lonely life It
Is he leads" said Mrs. Bus2 And
dangerous, too, no doubt"
THE lumber trade 10 more 20. I've
been shaking hands with death all
winter long. and nobody to sympa-
thize with. me-"
@ long you nrtrui creature
laughed back Mrs. Buss. merrtly.
4"Yna haven't .xaissea Z uaayeoasiss1
down here. Go tell Lon Herrick l
want to see him."
"Fe won't come"
TRY him." III.
Dan carried the message and
brought lack the answer dutifuliy.
1t was simple n withai usAa aiSroln-
Using.
"Iie saye be does his own cooking"
Mrs. BusY' lips SET firmly and then
parted In a laugh. And her ans.er
was cniSmatical.
"Hs doesn't. know, ma said.
Tne next few days found some
what preoccupied and given 10 moods.
Dan cAugnt spring fever and asked
her to marry him. but h shook her
head.
Il mated once. Dan. ana he was the
only man for me. Go down to Chey-
enne and ind q girl your are.
Jt's only the cali Of the bluebilu In
your heart"
'How well you know us" said Dan
~reg~etfully. and yet admiringly.
II know you all. but one" said MraL
Buss. Why doesn't Lon Herrick get
married?"
'He Jays the women folks are fire.
side eats" returned Dan. morosely,
absorbed In his own troubles and fOr-
getting the exact enc OF Ions re-
marks. He says they can't stand
the trail"
Mrs. Buss meditafed.
Where do the .trappers and hunters
around these parts sell their pelta.
I}an?" she asked FINELY.
There's a fellow through
about this time and buys them up-
from Laramie. 1 can set his name
II you want Il"
Get H." said Mra. Buss.
About 4 week lster THREE Cheere
startled to hnd an advancement
In Mrs. Busa' window. stated
that herein was the agency for bar
clay & Burden. furriers OF laramie,
followed by : tempting Inst Of prices
Tor pe'ta.
II thought ! could handle It FOR !,
side line" abe told the boys when
i--