The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-03-29
Brad Merreu,
Guardian
Bv HERBERT H. GOODWIN
(C5pyri9 ht.)

deep on Turkey Creek. The owner OF
the ranch, himself temporarily brought
low by refractory caynse, was ex-
| pecting visitor from the East-his
niece-and Brad Merrell had been told
| off to act as her guide, If not philoso-
pher and friend.
| Brad was the steadieSt man on the
ranch. This fact was enough for his
employer He was also lhe worst
woman-hater. This TACT made 1t too
much for Brad.
"Why couldn't it hev br"2 Paper
| Collar Joe?" he den7anded collectively
and fiercely II the men, as they
loitered outside the clubhouse. He'd
| hev been like a high-stepper with
new harness on. He'd sooner talk soft
| to woman than rope the liveliest
steer that ever bellered. But me.
won't hev nothin' to do With her. I'll
take my time in the mornin', I'll light
out overnight-IIl burn down the
| whole ranch J"
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
1t handy, an all plans made fer the
summer Whut would We do with the
rest Of the season eff We take yer time
now? Yer place is rented, it's too late
to get taken on anywhere else, an
ye'd only lOps Ground an spend yer
wad. This tenderfoot gal III only stay
| q few weeks, an it'll be rest fer
ye-"
"Restw 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 a liz
ard, an be afraid of her own shadow,
or she'll carry blamed tin box fer
bugs an things. She'll either gush
Ground about me bein' so picturesque,
or she'll be shocked at my language
an my pipe, an try to reform me.
Rest! A woman'li let man rest only
when she's been buried an has gran
lite monument over her!"
Old Soft Soap prevailed, however,
In the end. Next morning Brad start
ed for the railroad, as a lamb begins
It's journey to the SHAMELESS, get with
a most unlamblike mien and accOuter-
ment, for his pistol-belt and dirk, his
leathern chaps and rakish sombrerO,
proclaimed him bad man." indeed.
The Overland Limited was late, and
the engine seemed to puff and whistle
Its disgust at being stopped at the lit
tie station that raised itself above the
surrounding sea of grass. With much
complaining and creaking it halted for
a moment, and then its rafting links
climbed slowly up the rise.
Brad looked for mass of furbelows
and q Saratoga trunk, but the platform
was vacant except for an ample fe-
male, standing beside bullying carpet
bag, a heap Of boxes and bundles, and
shrouded bird cage.
"She amt come" muttered Brad,
his skies Frightening.
The ample figure bore down upon
him like ship under sail. 1t was sur
mounted by a pleasant face of ford
complexion, beneath broad hat and a
veil of grass green.
"Can you tell me If Turkey Greek
ranch is anywhere near here?" she
asked.
"Yes, ma'am," answered Brad. awk-
wardly pulling at his hatbrim; ITS
only about twenty-five miles over east.
Was We wantin' to go there?'
That's what l came for" she re-
piled promptly. I'm Orphelia Gordon
an I've come to visit my uncle, John
Taylor"
"Ye're Orph-Miss Gordon ex-
claimed Brad. "Why. 1 thought" he
checked himself suddenly.
Eyes, spose you did think l was a
young girl" she retorted. mo harm
done. I was once, an Ii l amt SO
good-Iooking as I was then, I know a
heap more If you've come for me
don't let's lose any time, but help me
get my baggage loaded, an Wen be
startin'."
The cage cover fell apart. and a
brilliant red and green head appeared
It cooked itself impertinently on one
side, one bcsdy eye looked Brad over
from head to foot. and a high-pitched
energetic voice calculated:
"YOu be blamed y
For the first time the bewildered
look on the mans face relaxed, and a
grin spread over his bronzed features
The woman's floridity 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 If l was
profane myself; but might've had q
husband that swore, and the minister
wouldn't have wanted me to get di
yorce for that. Besides, this bird is
more KNOWN and less troublesome
than any man / ever saw"
II don't mind him swearin' at me,
said Brad, recollecting his ferocious
armament. II reckon I amt much OF
picture"
> She turned, and for the first time
scrutiniZed her companion.