Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-07

being partners. In France, year or
two age, they iueaid have called them
selves "buddfes.y The relationship is
the same, though it appears under an
other name, The two men were
named Jack Mills and Bud Loupel. If
YOU hired one, you hired BOTH If one
was fred. the other quit. If you
licked one. the other licked you: and
il one became involved in a shooting
ARRAY. the other was apt to be some
in his hand and an eye out for posi-
BILE sharp practice by allies Of the
party Of the second part. The fore
his generation. assigned the two to
tasks At which they could work to-
gether: and they stayed with that out
At for q length Of time that was con-
sidered extraordinary in those tenn
pestuous days. That is to say. they
labored In the vineyard for the o K o
for a matter of a year and a half. At
the end of that time Jack Mills was
twepty-one and Rud Loupel was
twenty-five.
AS they did their work jointly. so
and 1t came to pass on certain day
that they rode away to town with full
pockets and lively plans for the even
ings Immediately before them. Jack
Mills. always the gayer spirit Of the
two, pulled his gun at the edge of
above him. At the same time he emit
ted certain shrill sounds and spurred
his horse to the gallop. Bud was
more given to certain sobriety and
decorum: he did not shoot and he did
not yell. But his horse kept close be-
side the others. They swung into the
wide and dusty main street with hats
tapping. horses racing like jack rab-
bits, holsters pounding against their
thighs. They swept up the street to-
.iStn 40
same instant, and ierked their horses
to sliding. tail-grinding stop with
single movement of their bride
hands.
She was the daughter of Old Man
Ross. the storekeeper. and she had
just come home from the east The
rattle Of the shots had brought her to
the door of the store and she stood
here when the two cowboys discov-
cred her. She looked at them; they
stared at her. Then Jack Mills
swung boldly to the ground and
walked toward her. grinning in his
pleasantly likable way He swept his
wide hat low. and he said: "Ma'am,
TIM Jack Mills of the Hourglass.''
THE girl, though she had lived long
in the east, was Il daughter Of the
west. She was amused and not dis
pleased. for Jack was easy enough to
look at She smiled. and this en-
boldened Bud Loupel. who was al
ways conservative. TO initiate his
partners example. He, too. dismount-
cd and stepped forward. and Jack
Mills bowed again to the girl and told
her: Furthermore. ma'am. this here
is my bashful friend. Bud Loupel. The
cat has got his tongue. but he's a nice
little Fellow. Now you know every
body worth krswing"
Jeanne Ross. s:ill very much amused
asked: who we're you shooting att"
lat the mar in the MOON said Jack
Mills. But J missed him a mile"
She laughed and said she was glad
of that. I'D hate not to be able to
see him up there once in a while" she
iold Jack.
Just to prove he amt hurt" he as
sured her. It'll ride in and point him
our TO you when the signs is right.
She shook her head. looking from one
s1an to the other, withdrawing a lit
lie into the doorway. Jack marked
even then. that her eyes rested long
cst on Bud Loupel. i've studied as
tronomy my own self" she said, and
while he was still crushed by that she
hacked into the store and disappeared
The two mounted in silence and con-
,inued more demurely down the
street. In front of Brady's they hitched
.heir horses. tramped dustily inside
ma touched elbows at the bar. The
.,r.t drink was taken without speech
he second followed IL.
After Il while Bud Loupel said
Jack
HUN
Me, you know what / aim TO do
Mills grinned. II don't know. blu,
I'm waiting
II aim said Bud Loupel. TO qui'