The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1917-06-01
Copyright. by W. G. Chapman.)
BY JOHN ELKINS

a man IN FanC0eTS clothes ndu just
swung off his horse in front of the
Pentville general store when another
man lounged toward him, blocking his
way. After delivering himself OF the
above singing rebuff, the speaker
passed quickly into the store, leaving
the other to mutter various uncompli-
mentary epithets.
1.-The usual social amenities of Pent-
ville," said the younger of two women
who happened to be passing. "Tve
been about long enough in this place
to begin TO consider a gentleman a
real luxury"
"Now, Amy" demonstrated the 9th
er, rather short, plump, little woman
with a very goOd-natured face, there's
Jack! ~
"My dear!" responded Amy Porter,
"your hubby was born q gentleman.
Even Pentville has not Obliterated that
fact. That, with your dear self, is one
reason l am billeted on you, and why
you have to endure me-"
Honey, there isn't any enduring
about it, It's a boon. Why. when you
wrote me you were coming here 10
teach, didn't L snap you up as quickly
as l cOuld?"
''Bless you, dear, you did. But laid
ii to your missionary spirit. How
ever, much as | am getting interested
in the school, if / had to board at the
hotel I'd throw up my job. I'm try
ing to teach the kiddies that swearing
and knocking the other fellow down
is not being manly But it's rather
uphill work when they're always hear
ing such talk as we've just been treat
ed to-"
THAT was Hal Wakely," said Mrs.
Barker. Jack likes him. He doesn't
know him very well, but he says he's
good Sort
Il daresay they all are if you dig
deep enough. But l don't care to dig.
Perhaps I'm lazy, but / must say L
like the quick response of trained,
cultivated mind, and the restfulness
of decent manners. | don't like being
jolted, and having TO continually
draw the rein on my temper because
of the rudeness of other people, even
when they don't know any better"
At this juncture Jack Barker hailed
them driving his car, and the two
ladies were taken in for the home
ward trip. From Miss Amy'S remarks
it might be inferred that she was q
-prim person of uncertain age. On the
contrary she was undeniably pretty,
with soft, wavy brown hair, large,
blue eyes that had a violet tinge, and
was just past twenty-one years OF
age Hal Wakely noted some of these
points as he observed the two ladies
getting into the car. He also took
notice of 1.-THE, young figure, and q
small, pretty foot He wondered
which was Barker's wife. He had
met him only on some business in
| town, and had never visited the ranch.
In fact he had been sticking pretty
closely to his business of raising
horses and cattle since he left New
York some three years before to try
to make something of the small CAPT
tai left him by his father. He had
done fairly well, but he had given his
whole mind TO it.
One day he halted his horse III front
of the little SchOOlhouSe, and entered
He was ashamed of the sudden tur
moil in his blood at sight of the CIR
at the teachers desk.
Pardon me, madam" he managed
to say. Mrs. Simpson can't call fol
Bobby. and she asked me if / would
put him upon my horse, and bring hin
home. If it is near closing time ma
he Gomez"
Certainly" said Amy with becOm
ing dignity. Bobby Simpson, you ma!
be excused
Bobby. who was positively seeth
ing with delight at the prospect, lef
the room with such alacrity that th'
caller had no choice but to follow
and Amy saw him lift the little fel
low into the saddle. and then swim!
himself up behind him. She did no
see him again until about two week
after; she happened to be waiting 70
the automobile, and was walking slow
ly up and down the street. A ranch
mans helper lurched out of saloon
and began speaking TO her. and fol
lowing her. Then another man loom
ed up, and with one blow laid her an
nOyer at her feet. She looked up I
find Hal Wakely.
oh" she cried. "Why did you d
that? I could have got away fror
him.
81 thought only Of you, Miss Porter
1t will just sober him up. May | tax
you where you wish 10 gOf'
THANK you, no." she said quietl.
Il will wait for Mr.. Barker in IN
store"
She walked away leaving him stanC
ing over the man who was now get
ting up. and shaking the dust fror
his clothes.
Hal Wakely was experiencing IN
surprise of his life. He had eXpecte
thanks from a limp or hysterical gil
who would be extremely grateful 70
his protection. ard TO whom he coul
be a strong comforter. Instead he Ia