Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-06-27

cher as he tied his horse to the fence
and walked up to the front door-in
fact, the only door of the house The
windows We're lighted.
He Knocked and Immediately a shad-
ow crossed the drawn shade.
"Who is there?" demanded a firm,
sweet voice.
"A friend" laughed Mel in his pleas
ant voice. "a committee of one from
the Double Bar"
"Oh."
The door opened Hospitality. and Mel
blinked as he entered a coy sitting
room
There was round table and a
workbasket and a pile of childrens
clothes.
Hat in hand, Mel turned his power
full figure to meet the Widow White.
Instead of a sharp featured. work
worn drudge he saw a plump little wo-
man with brown hair streaked with
gray, fresh complexion, pretty nose
and pair Of blue eyes that scanned
him incredulously.
Mel Archer" she whispered at last
"May!' he exploded in a tone of
disbelief. What are you doing here
at Mrs. Whiftle's?"
Because 1 am Mrs. Whiffie," she
answered evenly.
"You? he gasped, because she was
the woman who had made him hate
all other women. Il never knew who
you married." he explained duly.
"And of course l didn't know you
were within a thousand miles of Um-
pas county" she said. won't you sit
down" She sank into her own little
rocking chair and picked up a childs
frock.
Mel could see that her fingers trem-
bled.
80 you married Whiff1e," he said at
last. You're having a hard time of
it, Mayo
She bit her lip.
mo more than Deserve" she said
in strained tone. There's something
1 must explain to you. Mel You went
away so suddenly you never gave me
a chance"
Fire ahead!" he said, his eyes hid
den beneath his hand.
He told himself that the light hurt
his eyes, but it was the sight of her
after seven long, hateful years that
dazzled him
The Fourth of July dawned clearly
The grass of the ranges crisped under
the burning rays of the sun, but in the
grove of trees at the back of the Wild
Ow Whites house it was delightfully."-
cool.
When the nine cOwpunchers from
the Double Bar reached the grove the
three little Whites We're playing con-
teutedly beneath the trees. They had
some cheap toys and broken bits of
china and were supremacy happy.
Their mother had set a table in the
grove, and it looked good to the hot
and thirsty riders.
We've come to celebrate" explain
ed Nevada Pete as they staked their
horses in the shade.
"Celebrate?" repeated Mrs. Whift1e,
blushing and starry eyed, in a white
muslin gown she had washed and iron
ed since dawn.
Didn't Mel tell you we were coming
today to show your kids how to cele-
brate the Fourth of July?"
They all looked accusingly at Mel
Archer.
He was the picture of confusion.
Il declare" he confessed; Il plumb
forgot to tell May about itr'
'May?" shrieked eight indignant
male voices.
yep" he said sturdily; we're en-
gaged'-
"Engaged!' chorused the celebrants.
Quick work. added Luke Mather
May Whitfle put her hand on MePs
sleeve
"Tell them, Mel, that we used to be
sweethearts, and that we met unex-
pectedly last night, and that we're 60
ing to be married now. Here comes
the minister"
The Rev. Mr.. Jelton declared that he
had never officiated at a more prepos-
ferrous wedding. When the big, bronx
ed cowboy and the buShing little wild
ow had been married beneath the
trees they sat down to delicious
meal prepared by the bride.
And after that the day was one wild
pandemonium of noise, for the cow
boys celebrated every moment of the
time, while the children, caring not a
whit for the day and its significance.
played with their toys.
When the last rocket had blazed its
way into the evening sky the visitors
shook hands and rode away.
Not one of them but envied Archer
his good luck.
at was a right proper celebration"
admitted Peter gloOmily.