The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-05-02

thinks she can buy a husband with
collateral, so to speak," one Of the
boys remarked. "Mooneye's after
Petey, and she'll either get him or
somebody's scalp"
Pete stood beside Yellow Puffs. He
loved her hair even. 1t was short and
thick. and very curly, and "real for
sure yellow" he told himself. A
thrill ran through him when she
leaned back against his shoulder to let
the old stage coach rumble into the
ring. He welcomed the thrill. 1t was
the precursor Of adventure.
"Say, girl, you wait till the season
closes, and I've got wad," he said
quietly. "You needn't stare. I mean
it. I've wanted you ever since you
first Joined the show, and play white.
Does your wrist hurt you?"
Puffs had put it behind her, and
laughed shortly. They stood in the
shadow of the big canvas entrance.
Beyond were the small tents, out in
the darkness. The nearest one was
Mooneye's. Pete's pulses began to tap
dance music, the same old tune that
Pan taught Childe Cupid to hop to.
some time back. He bent over and
kissed the girls cheek. She swerved
so he could not reach her lips.
Don't. Mooneye's watching. you"
she said CURLY. 81 don't trespass on
anybody else's brand"
There's no brand on me-" sent
back Pete, hotly; then he, too, turned
and saw the Indian standing motion.
less near, and he ceased thrilling.
There was the touch of claws on his
neck.
Look at her eyes, Pete" said Puffs.
''They give you away"
Pete hesitated, helpless, laundering.
logged. between the two Of them;
then he went into the ring.
Puffs waited for her turn. The
pony she always rode was dancing
restlessly under check. In the ring
Pete was doing his star act, as Pie
bald Pete from Windy Valley, dead.
shot scout and terror of the redskins.
Now they had turned the steers and
buffaloes into the ring for the grand
roundup and fight. After that came
Puffs' riding turn.
Suddenly the Indian disappeared.
There came the last volley of shot
and the thud of hoofs as the boys
chased the steers. Puffs backed her
pony to let them pass through the
narrow passage, but as the first head
appeared Mooneye rose from the shad-
ows, waving a lighted torch under it's
nostrils.
The rearing, dancing pony was in
the way, Punfs tried to hold 1t steady
as the frightened steer lowered it's
head and backed into the mass behind
him. Mooneye had tossed the torch
madly at their damned heads, and
was yelling something. The foremost
steers tried to turn and were trampled
by those behind. A roar rose from the
seats at the smell of smoke.
Get back there" Puffs shouted to
the Indian. you'll be killed"
She pressed the sides of the pony
lightly, and it sprang forward, shout
der against the flank of the steer.
"Come on, boys; chase them now!"
she called back, and the mass broke
as the leader ran headlong, Puffs at
his heels. !. -
els Mooneye hurt?" was her first
question, after the danger was past
and Pete found her.
"Is she hurt?" he repeated grimly.
Il should say not. You'd have been
gored and trampled If she'd had her
way. She leaves tomorrow"
Puffs looked up at his eyes.
why? Let me go. She's more to
the show than ! am"
but che amt more to me. Oh,
mean It," reached for her hungrily.
i've let you go along easy, girl, and
almost lost you, letting you have your
own way. You sure had me eating out
Of your hand tamely, didn't you?
Here 60 along on tiptoes, respect
ing you ladies, and getting clawed
right and left. It ends right here to-
night, Puffs. Mooneye's packing her
army blanket this minute. Well get
married tomorrow, and maybe skip
the show business; what do you say?
I can get foreman's position any
where west of Joplin, and you won't
have to lope around any sawdust ring.
Like it, girl, dear?"
Puffs put her arms up around his
neck. Out in the ring they were put
ting out the lights.