The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1912-04-09

heaped upon two stalwart, sunbrowned eowmen who
fusiade. But there enough hearty handshakes 1t
the end of it to the pair and soften their hearts
toward their rollicking companions =
few days later the two climbed stifly OF de
limited at Westhampton, Va One was eager anxjous,
impetuous to rush away because Of certain girl
the other also eager anxious and ipetuous to rush
away-and because of another girl
Holton laid firm grip on his friends arm.
Go slow, Dude-Tm gttn' tremby In TT leRs~
he said. r.
what ye afraid off Pickpociets7"
Holton gave him an eloquent look and tRhtened iis
grip.
II hope those girls won't see us until we get :
shave and"
Just then lurid and beribboned cyclone landed plump
against Thorpes big chest and Holton staggered bae
-aghast.
"Ham-il-ton Thorpel Obi your shrieked 8
feminine voice from somewhere under Thorpes right
Holton pulled nervousy at his tsht-fttng vest ssd
coughed
"Kid, can you stand Up agin that1" he asked him
self he watched them narrowly out of the tai Of
his eye.
Then Thorpe came to himself and held the girl out
at arms length from him.
"Cut loose Bess! I've got friend here, some
where-F1i come here, Kidl Um-Miss Wnton-Mr.
Holton."
Then he nudged Holton in the ribs and whispered:
"Say something, you cattle thief"
Holton hung Miss Winton's dainty finger tips and
blushed rosly.
WELL miss don't have to tell you Pm glad to see
YOU Fact is, I've been plumb locoed watn' to see
TIL girl Duer-Mr. Thorpe has been talkn' about for
tn last several years-an say follern' that idea
out, that don't blame him by blame sight"
"IIi! None of that Kid I'll do all of THAT in
this case-ha! hal"
Miss Winton looked earnestly up into Holton's sun
burned face
"Mr Thorpe never says anything very bad about me-
does her" she inquired.
"Hm-well he says things he'd never dare say about
me, miss-that's sure" responded .Holton, who was
rapidly feeling his OATS for cowpuncher.
"Of course, you will remain to the-to my-4hat
is, our
Thorpe covered her confusion by abruptly breaking
''Will he7 Well, Bess, you bank on It that he
will be hand, looming up like brndle-taled comet
on a still Sunday nght-eh old man?"
"Ya-as, jest about" was Holton's weak reply.
At this moment feminine figure appeared in door
way the opposite Thorpe glanced the lady
sharply and nudged Miss Winton's elbow surrepti-
tiously.
"Who is that Bess?" She looks familiar-is it Mabel"
he whispered.
Miss Winton took lightning survey Of the corner
opposite. :
"Of course it's Mabe," she remarked Holton's knees
grew decidedly wobbly he heard it. and he glanced
appealingly toward his friend.
81 say, Dude whiskers you know-yoa
don't 49,"
"Your whiskers are a freckled red, Kid-this amt
question of whiskers-ifs matter of matrimony.
That girl is heress-you adventurer-but BY
good luck you will win outcome on.
few moments later young lady of Wesihampt0n
having slight attack of apopiexy another
filed with wonder and two big stood and
bushed like schooboys. But presently two chattering
couples stroled down shady side street. intent only
on themselves and each other. Hoton shaking
hands with himself nightly at the wonderful
he was displaying. 1t was amazing, that nerve was
AS the tacful young lady at his side uently described
the town and its people, Holton speedily cultivated
princely sang froid
Miss Gentry thinking his visit due Thorpe's forth
coming marriage, did refer tbeir correspondence
did he. Discreet silence concerning it seemed the
better part of valor Hoton and he played the part
with vigor Later at the separation, his bow if any
thing, lower and diplomatic than was that Ut
Dude Thorpe himself.
"A gentleman in the rough" Miss Gentrys conf
ment to her glass, later that evening.
month, for some things, is time enough-swo
months better and three ample suficiency
It would be mpolite to eavesdrop on the many meet
ings that occurred between Holton, of Texas and
Miss Gentry, of Virginia, and it would require hard-
hood to relate what was learned if such had
been pursued. For the most part their conversation
was conducted in too low tone for chance ears to
profit BY But the details of two weddings filled the
local newspaper at date shortly thereafter and tvo
cowpunchers were made Supremacy haooy. ARC s.sa.
old man Thorpe opened his heart and handed his son
check for-well, quite sun-two cowboy yells cut
the peaceful Virginia air The Trple-O ranch was
marked in red on their wedding itinerary.
Copyright 1911.