The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-06-10

my" Wharton Lind.
Here was the situation: At Lowrie
Pass the better class Of the ranch
community had centered. Two miles
down the river the settlement called
Paynters had been slow to meet the
advance guard OF civilization. When
young Wharton Lind had come to an
cry words with Budd. the Wharton
family, discerning trouble. had moved
over to Lowrie.
1t was the sister Of Wharton Lind
who received the warning challenge.
She opened 1t and read 1t, and her
proud handsome face flashed and her
eyes took hmber determined look
to their depths.
Wharton had been away at college
up to year previous. He was brave
as lion, but he had not acquired the
sturdy strength that comes with out
door ranch life. On the contrary.
Helena had gained the bronze, the
hardened muscles, the health-glowing
face Of true northwestern prairie
girl. She was the admiration of her
own sex and the cherished model OF
her numerous gentleman friends.
There went back to Budd terse
single line: Wharton Lind is ready
for you"
Budd staggered around his friends
down at Paynters all the morning of
the day set for the combat He went
over to I1owrie about dusk, took
drink or two and rode up to the Lind
home on his mettled broncho boldly
and full of confidence.
It was q moonless night and the
house was wrapped In darkness, ex-
cept where a broad stream of radi.
ance reflected across the grass from
lamp In the untenanted sitting room.
He made out a figure leaning against
one of the posts clad in buckskin garb
and wearing the shadowing sombrero
of the district
I'm Budd Paynter." announced the
visitor brusquely. Ready for bust
ness?"
In reply his waiting adversary nod
ded and led the way to clear level
spot fifty feet away. Then began the
battle.
BuCd sailed in," over-confident in
his opinion OF his superiority over
tenderfoot. Then he set on guard
There had come half dozen quick
blows that dazed him. As his op-
ponent grappled, he felt himself lift
ed featherlike and flung ten feet
away, landing with shock.
you've won," he acknowledged,
and then with true frontier chivalry
advanced with outstsetched hand.
Budd changed the anticipated grip
to clasp. His recent opponent had
suddenly staggered and had he not
reached out would have fallen to the
ground. Budd half lifted, half dragged
his inanimate burden towards the
house.
Hey, there!" he hailed as he came |
within the radius OF the light, young |
Lind has overdone himself, though he
whipped me. mind you, and fair and
square. Thunder."
For the first moment Budd Paynter |
saw the face of his opponent. The |
hat had fallen OF, the light streamed
directly across Helena.
Across one cheek was an abrasion.
Her lower lip was slightly cut and
Tt hit you," gasped Budd-"a
womani did that! Say, could cry
over it! Lady. shall never forgive
myself"
Aye, he could indeed have wept
over his rough handiwork. he could
have kissed those trembling lips. AS
Helena reused UP in her usual strong
womanly way, she directed one brief
stinging rebuke.
1t was to upbraid him for his idle,
useless ways. Because her brother
was iii, because he would have met
the challenge even at that disadvan.
tage, she had assumed his part, she
told Budd, and he hung his head In
shame. Then he went from her pres
ence. for the first time In his life
with lowered head and awakened
Then strange things began to hap
pen. AT Paynters the old chums OF
Budd began to marvel at sudden
somber change that had come over
him.
A month later, two days before the
announced wedding of Wharton Lind
there appeared at the Lind home the
subject of considerable thought and
to Helena--the new Budd
Paynter.
I've come from the boys down
home, Miss Lind" announced Budd
shyly. but very polite. though embar
They've authorized me to do
the usual thing when friend like
Miss Willis steps off," and he pro
duced neat case containing hand
SOME bracelet.
Why, this is truly charming" de
clared Helena, and she invited the
caller in. Then when he went away
she accompanied him to the road.
There Budd halted, fumbling HE
hat seriously He stole glance al
her proud handsome face.
Miss Lind" he blurted out. 'T'm q