The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-09-11

GkINNED THE BOSS.
had cOntided the wedding plans to the
ear of Mrs. Cliutock alone.
The ClintOckS and the Barrys drove
over to the Baker ranch together in
Barry's double carriage. 1t was only
II little after when they drove into
the III kept yard.
There We're no signs of wedding fes-
tivities about the Baker place. Indeed
it appeared to be more :he abode of
mourning than joy.
The people from the Lone Bull were
the only guests to arrive. and when
they glimpsed the deserted appearance
of the house and the grim looking men
that formed semicircle about the
front porch they made no move to
alight from the carriage. They sat in
stunned silence as they realized the
awfulness of the thing that Desdemona
Baker had brought to pass.
Before that closed door sat a semi
circle Of grim horsemen.
Each one sat with hand ut hip and
narrowed eyes watching the door
through which Desdemona. their bride.
should appear.
There were five Of them-Simeon
Carter in his best dark blue suit. Percy
Hackett in black. Joey Burton in a
gray suit and red tie. Ben Peters with
the added glory Of white silk skirt
and Reddy Blake looking like an un-
dertaker in black.
GOSH" whispered Harry Barry.
somebody ought to do something"
murmured Mrs. Clintock uneasily.
''ThOse poor fellows!'
1.-The girls got scared and rustled
herself ont of the county" remarked
Clintock. who was watching the mess
house out of the tail of his eye.
The next time the cook put his sleek
head around the corner it was to emit
a frightened squawk. for the boss big
hand gripped his bony shoulder and
brought the Chinaman around into
the presence Of that grim semicircle.
Boss ClintOck nodded CURLY to the
waiting bridegrooms and hustled the
he reared questions at him while the
cook bleated forth replies.
When the Chinaman had finished and
had scurried across the yard again
ClintOck faced the five men and deep
sympathy in his eyes struggled with
gravity. sympathy conquered.
They knew the worst-the worst
that Dcsdemuna could hand out to
them.
The cook had managed to impart the
Eews that Alonzo Baker had been los
iEg money for some time and had sold
his place and the night before had de
parted. with his few household goods.
for his old home in Arkansas.
AS for Desdemona-well. It seemed
that Desdemona had had an old sweet.
heart back there in Arkansas, and she
had pinned for him often. and day or
two ago he had come after her. and
they had been married this very morn-
ing in Canyon City. and-well. there
wasn't any more to tell Canyon coun-
IS had seen the last of Desdemona
Baker
The sixth bridegroom had stepped in
and carried off the prize.
THE dark horse wins" muttered
Ben Peters grimly as he turned his
horse ont If the semicircle and gal.
loped toward the Lone Bull ranch.
How hate that Desdemona!" cried
Leone Barry. with tear filed eyes. as
the last Of the disappointed bride
troons rude away.
ITS better it happened this way"
said the boss soberly rs they drove
homeward. IF any one of those FIVE
had tried to marry Desdemona today
there would have been war. and
would be out four perfectly good cow
punchers."
And as it happens the only damage
Is that I'm out perfectly good lady
help and I'm glad of It," asserted
Leone Barry.