Cavalier County farmers press. (Langdon, N.D.) 1920-1921, 1920-12-16

tci lihS you up d4 IllGu Iel IeT PICK
out the one she takes a fancy to. It's
only fair she has a chance to take the
duffer she'd rather have"
There was a confused murmur of
voices, some reckless, others mutter-
ing opposition, but it was evident the
proposition rather appealed to the ma
jority, who saw in It a chance for some
unusual fun and excitement, with only
a vague probability Of being caught.
Shelby Slipped in a word.
"Tn bet five to one" he said quietly
that she turns down the whole gang
"Ter hi she will! Not after she
gets n glimpse O. Cowan. She'll
think he owns the town."
THAT'S it, boys! Come IN, you
fellers; the bunch O. us don't run no
risk. She'll copper on Cowan an If
she misses him them sideburns o. Ar
chibald's will sure get her goat"
us this we're two thousand a sure
thing? l, was Cowan who asked
somewhat anxiously. "It amt got no
string tied to it?"
A yell greeted the question. punctu
AIRED with various remarks.
"Takin' II seriously. old man?'
Coin TO start an opposition store?"
~ guarantee the sum-" said Mo
Carthy every last rent Of it. Who,
ever the girl chooses, when he marrieS
her. I'll pay him The money. That's
fiat an you boys know whose talking.
There was q surging forward indi-
cative of readiness. Evidently the
proposition had caught on. and the
bunch was eager TO learn the result.
Lead lis to II. Mac" someone cried
gayly. ''gittin' married is my long
suit"
"All right. boys" and Mccarthy
glanced at his watch. ~ reckon the
preacher ought ter have her ready for
the delegation by this time. How
about it. Tom?"
< They moved slowly out. jostling
each other. and indulging in horse
play and rnde Jokes. none taking the
affair seriously. hu, eager to learn how
u would terminate.
49, '' $50 ~ way. tIFVCIiy
"''r : ~ ",hfr street. and down She
- . 'w dance hall which nv
- tfi'H, ' as III full blaze. Beyond
they were plunged into darkness. but
could see ahead of them the fain,
CLEAN of a light through the window
of CalkinS' shack. One or two sought
to drop out. but Shelby collared them
promptly, so that the entire bunch
finally lined up behind Mccarthy as lie
raped on the closed door. The preach
er opened it. his round face heAll,ins
benignantly in the glare of the single
oil-lamp within. his bulk absolutely
blocking the entrance. Beyond, those
close al hand had a vague glimpse of
he girl. who stood back against the
wall. staring toward them with wide
open eyes. The Buffalo Gap mar
smiled blandly in welcome, impressed
by the number Of faces he saw. and
stepped heavily aside.
Come right in, gentlemen" he ex-
claimed, %gesturing impressively with
n hand. .''our accommodations are
not extensive, as you will perceive,
yet ample, l trust. Just circle about
the wall thereto the left, please.
You have explained the circumstances,
Mr.. McCarthy?" 3
Sure"
VERY we'll, then" his voice assum-
ing a soothing tone. 1--WE need waste
no unnecessary time in preliminaries.
I have very frankly, laid the entire
matter before the young lady and have
finally convinced her of the righteous
ness of our purpose. Do | fifty express
your state of mind, my child?"
She lifted her eyes slightly. a red
flush burning on either cheek.
7 suppose SO; that's what you told
me to say
Shelby, Slipping in through the door
last Of all, had found a precarious
seat OF the sill of the window, where
he had a full view of the room. His
glance wandered appreciatingly along
that solemn line of men backed up
rigidly against the wall. They were
an ~odd-looking bunch, crowded to-
gether under the glare Of the oil-lamp,
the most of them roughly dressed and
unshaven and all Of them visibly en-
barrassed and a little ashamed. The
girl stood alone just before them and
to Shelby she appeared younger and
far better looking than in the after
noon. She would have been almost
pretty but for the pathetic droop at
the corners Of her mouth and the re-
.bellious, sullen look in her eyes. The
preacher spread his hands in disap-
probation of her remark.
"Oh, no, my dear" he protested.
II merely labored with you and urged
this upon you as the better course. !
even made II the subject OF prayer
that we. might. he. .diyInely guided. II