The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-11-06

the low roof where an unusual clean
illness betrayed the industry of Joy.
The two men returned and drank to
the bride. l'urney with the reckless
lightness that distinguished him.
Bailey sullen and watchful.
Got another outfit here, haven't
youy" questioned the bridegroom.
WHO is iti'
Before answer could be made, from
the kitchen arose a tortured howl and
the smashing of dishes. mingled with
stormy rumblings. The door burst in
ward, and an agonized Joy fed, dap
ping out into the night. while behind
him rolled the caricature from Bar X.
II just stopped for a drink Of
water" doomed the dwarf. then
paused at the twitching face of the
sheriff.
lie sweIled ominously. like great
pigeon. purple and congested with
rage. Strut1ing to the newcomer, he
glared insoIently up into his smiling
face.
W noe a. Z 'husbiuS5 az, yC SuuNS-
tall" His hands were clinched till
bis arms showed tense and rigid, and
the cords III his neck were thickly
swollen. .-
"Lemme in on it! I'm strong on hu-
NOR. What in HI ails ye? he yelled,
in fury. as the tall young man gazed
fixedly, and the glasses ratified at the
below from the barreled up lungs.
I'm not laughing at you," said the
sheriff.
lob, amt ye?" Knocked the man OF
peace. We'll, take care that ye don't,
We big wart, or III trample them new
clothes and browse around on some Of
your features. ri take We apart till
ye look like cut feed Guess ye don't
know who | am. do ye? Pm
who is this man. Ross?" came the
anxious voice of the bride, descending
the stairs.
The little man spun like dancer
and, spying the girl. blushed to the
color Of prickly pear, then stammered
painfully. while the sweat stood out un-
der the labor Of his discomfort:
Just Shorty MISS" he finally qua
vered. Plain Shorty Of the Bar &
era miserable. crawling worm for
disturbing Of ye" He rolled his eyes
helpIessly at Bailey while be sopped
with his crumpled sombrero at the
glistening perspiration.
why didn't We tell me?' he whis-
pered ferociously at the host, and the
volume of his query carried to Joy.
hiding ont in the night.
MIR Shorty said the sheriff grave
~. lie, me introduce my wife, Mrs
Turney."
The bride smiled sweetly at the
tremulous little man, who broke and
fed TO a high bench in the darkest
corner. where he dangled his short legs
IN Il silent ecstasy Of bashfuIness.
Il reckon I'll have to rope tina.
Chink. then blindfold and back him
into the kitchen. If we git any supper"
said Bailey, disappearing.
Later the Chinaman stole in to set
the table. but be worked with hectic
and titfui energy. a fearful eye always
upon the dim bulk in the corner, and
at a fancied move he shook with an
ague Of apprehension. Backing and
siding, he finally announced the meal,
prepared to stampede madly at notice.
During TIC snppec Shorty ale raven
ously of whatever lay to his hand. but
asked no favors. The agony of his
shyness paralyzed his huge vocal mus
cles till speech became labor quite
impossible.
TO q pleasant remark of the bride he
responded, but 10 sound issued; then.
breathing heavily into his iarynx. the
reply roared upon them like burst
Of thunder, seriously threatening the.
gravity of the meal He retired alb
ruptly into moist and self conscious
silence. fearful Of feasting bis eyes
on this disturbing ioveliness.
AS soon as compatible with decency
he slipped back to his bunk in the
shed behind and lay staring into the
darkness. picturing the amazing oc-
currences of the evening At the mem
DRY Of her level gIances he fell a-uem
BILE and sighed ecstatically. prickling
with a new. strange emotion. He lay
till far into the night, wakeful and alb
sorbed He was able to grasp the fac,
but di,nly that all this dazzling per
lection was for one man. Were it NOT
manlfestiy impossible he supposed.
other men III Other lands knew other
ladies' as beautiful. and it Furthermore
grew upon nim Dlackiv, In the thick
gloom, thai in an this world OF woil-
anly sweetness and beauty no ,ndicun
Of il was for he miSShapen dwarf OF
the Bar y OUT tit. All his life he had
fought furinuSly to uphold the empty
she'll of his dignity il the eyes OF his
comrades. yet always morhdly con-
scious Of the difference III his body
Whisky had been his solace. his sweet
heart II changed him. raised aud be-
atifieG him into the likeness Of other
men, aud now AS ne pundered ne was
aware OF consuming thirst engeu-
dered by the heat of his earlier emo
lions. Undoubtedly it must be quench-
ed
Ito be Continued.