The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-03-13
Brad Merrell,
Guardian
o0
(Copyright.)
BY HERBERT H. GOODWIN

deep on Turkey Creek. The owner OF
the ranch, himself temporarily brought
low by q refractory cayuse. was ex-
pecting q visitor from the East--his
niece--and Brad Merrell had been told
of to act as her guide, II not philoso-
pher and friend.
Brad was the steadiest man on the
ranch. This fact was enough for his
employer. He was also the worst
woman-hater. This fact made 1t too
much for Brad.
"Why couldn't II hev been Paper
Collar Joef" he demanded collectively
and fiercely OF the men. as they
ioitered outside the bunkhouse. He'd
hev been like high-stepper WITH
to woman than rope the liveliest
steer that ever bellered. But me
won't hev nothin' to do with her. I'll
iare 10Y time In the moruin', I'll light
cut arernight-Ill burn down the
Whole iGSen II
"Now. Brad" wheedled Tom Mason.
affectionately known as Old Soft Soap.
by reason Of his peacemaking procliv-
itIes---"now, Brad, Jest stop an think.
Ye've yer own nice little place up on
Turkey creek. where We kin look after
It handy. an all plans made fer the
summer. Whut would ye do with the
rest of the season ef ye take yer time
nowf Yer place Is rented, it's too late
to get taken on anywhere else, an
ye'd only lope Ground an spend yer
wad. This tenderfoot gal II only stay
few weeks, an It'll be rest fer
ye-"
"RestI" beloved Brad. "Rest It'll
wreck every nerve In my carcass.
She'll be one of two kinds; she'll
either sQueal every time she sees liz
ard, an be afraid Of her own shadow.
or she'll carry a blamed tin box fer
bugs an things. She'll either gtish
Ground about me beln' so picturesque
or she'll be shocked at my language
an my pipe, an fry to reform me.
Resti A womapll letsa man rest only
when she's been buried nm has gran
ite monument over herl"
Old Soft Soap prevailed, however,
in the end. Next morning Brad start
I'd for the railroad. az a lamb begins
its journey to the shambles. yet with
| q most unlamblike mien and accouter.
ment. for his pistol-belt and dirk, his
lsathern "chaps" and raixish sombrer,,
proclaimed him bad man." indeed.
The Overland Limited was late. and
the engine seemed to pun and whistle
its disgust at being stopped at the lit.
tie staten thet raised itself above the
surrounding sea Of grass. With much
complaining and creaking II halted for
a moment. and then its rattling links
climbed slowly up the rise.
Brad looked for a mass OF furbelows
and Saratoga trunk, but the platform
was vacant except for an ample fe-
male. standing beside a bulging carpet.
bag, q heap Of boxes and bundles. and
q shrouded bird cage. Af
"She amt come" muttered Brad
his skies Frightening.
The ample figure bore down upon
him like ship under sail. II was sur.
mounted by a pleasant face Of fiorid
complexion, beneath a broad hat and q
veil of grass green.
"Can you tell me II Turkey Greek
ranch is anywhere near here?" she
asked.
Yes. ma'am," answered Brad. awk
wardly pulling Mt his hatbrim: 'it's
only about twenty-five miles over east
Was ye wantin' to 20 thereT
THAT'S what I came for" she re
piled promptly. "Tm Orphelia Gordon
an I've come to visit my uncle. JohI
Taylor"
"Ye're Orph-Miss Gordon!" ex
claimed Brad. "Why. I thought" hi
checked himself suddenly.
'Yes, ! s'pose you did think was q
young GIRL" she retorted. "No harm
done. l was once, an II I ain't sc
good-looking as I was then, know q
heap more. II you've come for me
don't let's lose any time, but help me
get my baggage loaded. an we'll be
startin'."
The cage cover fell apart. and a
brilliant red and green head appeared
II cooked itself impertinently on one
side. one beady eye looked Brad over
from head to foot. and high-pitched
energetic voice calculated:
"You be blamed"
For the first time the bewildered
look on the mans face relaxed. and q
grin spread over his bronxed features
The woman's foridlty deepened, and
finally she. too, laughed.
I'm ashamed Of Polly's language
Old Doctor Henderson told me once
that It was as bad for me. professor
to keep a profane parrot as II l was
profane myself; but might've had Q
husband that sw0re. and the minister
wouldn't have wanted me to get di
vorce for that. Besides, this bird |,
more KNOWN and less troublesome
than any man ever saw."
II don't mind him swearin' at me.
/