The Press., 1915-06-23
The Gun
 Woman   How on One Occasion She Lost Her Nerve
By IDA SPEED
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Go.

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 The Princess Wenona, the half breed Indian champion girl roper, emerged from her tepee in the Indian quarters of the 94 Ranch Real Wild West Show, which was in camp at Wilhelmina, Ark.
 She was dressed for the parade that was scheduled to take place shortly. Her rowing eye rested for a moment on group by the campfire where a pot of the "big mulligan" had long been boiling. Not finding what she sought she abruptly set off toward the big tent.
 She's lookin' for Al Fleming now" said Uncle Rus Rayburn, the veteran cowpuncher. who was entertaining an admiring audience of this seasons re- cruits to tSe organization.
 And, by the way, with her hot on his trail We are liable to git little ex- citement yet. Al, he's just flirtin' along with her and that little she greaser
 
 Mary Moore. He don't know we can all tell he's crazy about her. while she ain't got no more use for him than a pig has for sidesaddle."
 "WiSh I could shoot pistol like Miss Moore can. She Z ts more grapes than anybody on the 94 payroll, and guess she can't be beat" said one of the listeners.
 Meanwhile Al went listlessly to the general delivery window at the post office.
 "Fleming. A. C.?' said the postmas- ter in response to his inquiry. To his -amazement he was handed the letter. It had followed him from point to point for a week.
 He scanned the half dozen typewrit- ten lines that meant so much to him. The land had been sold and the money deposited to his credit minus the com- mission of his agent.
 Then that was settled. He was no longer Hand poor" He need not fol low a profession so distasteful to him. 1t had been that or starve while he waited.
 In two weeks the show would go into winter quarters at the 94 ranch, and he would be released to go back to his beloved southwest. Somehow the thought did not bring with it the de light he had anticipated.
 The haze of Indian summer en- shrouded the hills. As he rode on through the streets of the strange town a cloud momentarily shadowed the sun.
 Al Fleming's mind reverted to the night of the big sandstorm, when he had taken refuge in a lonely shack on the prairie. He could see again the fieeting vision of the girl as she stood poised on the doorstep, whither she had been attracted by his light.
 Then before he could close the door behind her the wind had extinguished the lamp and left them without a match to relight it.
 During the hours that they had wait ed for the storm to abate she had grown unspeakably dear to him. They had confided to each other their names, and he had told her he was riding to Sanderita to join the 94 ranch show cars, which would stop there the next day to water their stock on the long, thirsty ride from Fl Paso to Fort Worth.
 He had done everything he could for her comfort. She had told him that it was the first time a man had taken thought for her reputation when he had left her at the gate of the Circle A ranch, where she was staying, with an not to speak of having been alone with him in the deserted shack With reverence he had raised her hand to his lips in farewell.
 He remembered his astonishment when Murdock, the owner of the show, had informed him that she-Mary Moore-was the crack pistol shot of the world, resting and practicing up after a tryout on the dramatic stage. where she had proved a failure.
 By this he had known she, too. loathed the Wild West show. though her salary was sufficient to enable her to stay at a hotel, only filling her en- gagement each afternoon and night. eliminating the hated street parade which was the most desirable part of their contracts to the Indians and Mexicans with the show.
 When she had joined the organiza- ton some weeks later she had chosen to ignore the happenings on the night of the sandstorm. Fleming was not the man to press himself on her. Therefore an exchange of greetings had been the only words to pass be- tween them. though more than once he had espoused her cause, until it had be- come current gossip that he adored her.
 It came to him now that the situa- ton had changed. He need no longer hold back because her accomplishments were commanding a higher price than his own. He was the possessor of a eompetencY in cold cash. The irriga- don company had been compelled to have his sections for their big reser- yoir and at his own figures.
 The combined horrors of brass band and a steam calliope smote the air. He had forgotten the parade. l With an exclamation of disgust he NhCCiCu HIS uOfSt duu COOk q S0OrC cut, | guided by the music and the cheering | .rowd
 To avoid meeting Murdock he turn | d into the entrance of little park. A lonely figure, apparently indiffer- mt to the excitement, was feeding the leer through the wire fence around an nclosure. At once he recognized Mary Moore.
 Good morning" he said, advancing lat in hand.
 Your she cried, turning at the ound of his voice.
 "Yes, and mighty gay because the eason will end in two weeks. Where will you go then?" he asked interest dly.
 "I have no plans," she said. q ave no home"
 Then, seeming to realize the longing m har v0fpa Sho ohrunfIy oho nno5 fbo |