The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-05-16
like an interested. child.

like an interested child.
- After that he rode down to the
Junction every night while the rest of
the KIT outfit stayed out at the ranch.
Some nights Gimpy rode in too. and
brought his violin. Jessamine said
she loved music. Curly sat on the
doorstep to the lean.to. listening to
the two Of them. Gimpy playing, and
Jessamfne singing. He hated Gimpy
those nights. and before Jessamine
had arrived the two had been close
pals. Sometimes. now as he rode.
knowing Gimpy's pony followed, he al.
most wished he had the nerve to
race about, and dare him to straight
tight the way men used to settle such
things. Then he would wonder wheth-
er she loved Gimpy, and how he could
lace her supposing he were to put a
bullet through him.
So he took the straight path and
rode down one night early. Gimpy
was there before him. He saw him
sitting beside her on the rough wood
en- bench under the eucalyptus tree.
he saw that Gimpy was agitated. He
leaned forward and tried to take her
hands, but she pulled them away, and
then Gimpy made a quick dash for
her. and she laughed Curly heard
her laugh. He felt sorry for Gimpy
Even If she didn't want hiEl, it wasn't
Kind to laugh. He knew a fellow
like Gimpy was TOO good to laugh at
he turned and rode the other way
couple of miles, to make sure the
game was an open one.
When he came back Gimpy was
gone. And she looked so pretty and
tender in the moonlight that Curly
forgot the other man.
i don't suppose you'd care for a
fellow like me. Jess" he told Ter.
Landing with his back to the W. l..
head up, eyes pleading. But ]
thought maybe you did. from the way
you looked at me, and the way we'd
! talked, don't you know? It isn't much
OF life out here for girl. but my
dads sheriff down in Colorado, and
he's made good, and going to run for
county treasurer, and can 60 back
there any time, and step into tho
heir apparent's shoes. And mother'd
love you like forty"
But. you Silly boy" said JESSE
| mine. laughing. I'm not bit In love
with anybody here. just enjoyed
having you boys come down and sing
and play for me. I'm going back
home next week. back to Chicago. and
I'm going to be married. l hope you
won't mind. I'm SO sorry. you know"
"Mlnd?" Curly stared at her fixed
~. at her lovely eyes and soft satin
smooth hair. and all the rare girl
grace of her, and his heart hardened.
Il didn't know you were in earnest,
Curly" she began.
Eyes, you did. too," said Curly, Arm
ly. And you knew Gimpy was, too.
You just led US on. and made fools of
the two of US. And we used to be
pals, too. Why. say. I'd almost have
killed Gimpy for you. And you say
you didn't know l was in earnest"
He stopped suddenly. Ma Simms
stood In the doorway. arms akimbo.
eyes keen and bright.
Nov. what's this nonsense, Jessa-
miner" she demanded. which one
did you take?"
Jessamine covered her face with her
arms, and cried silently. Curly was
fumbling with his SADLY straps.
shes engaged to somebody in Chi
cago." he said. bitterly. "She threw
both of US boys down."
"She amt engaged to anybody, Cur
ly," retorted Ma Simms fatty. she's
| just told you that because she's afraid
you and Gimpy will get into shoot
ing scrape over her. Jessamine. you
look Carly in the face and tell him
the truth, or shall myself"
You'll fight and get hurt" faltered
Jessamine. and in her voice Curly
| caught a new tremulous note that sent
the blood leaping In his veins. He
| swung around on her. and pulled her
| arms down.
"Jess, say you wouldn't care. would
your" And somehow her arms went
close around his neck. and Ma Simms
went back into the house and shut the
door.
Copyright, 1913. by tho Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.>