Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-06-10


into the hall one night:
A Spanish cavalier
Went out to rope steer,
Along with his paper cigar-r-ro!
"Caramba" said he.
"Manana you will be
Mucho bueno carne por miol"
He turned his head and looked up at
her suddenly searchingly. as there
anybody else in Bills way?" he de-
manded. 81 admit it's none of my
business, but"
Eyes, Caliph, there is some one else"
81 thought So" This rather vicious
ly. "I'm willing to gamble 100 to 1,
sight unseen, that whoever he is, he
isn't half the man Bill is"
"That," she replied coldly, SIS mat
ter Of personal opinion"
"And Bills clock is fixed for keeps?"
Eyes Caliph And he never had a
chance from the start"
"Why not?"
"Well, l met the other man first, Ca
llph."
"Oh! Do you mind telling me what
this other man does for a living2"
"He's a mining man, like Billy"
Gall right Has the son of a horse
thief got mine like Bill's? That's
something to consider, Dolores"
"He has a mine fully as good as
Billy's. Like Billy, he owns a half
interest in it, too"
"Hum-m-m! How long have you
known him?"
"Not very long"
"Be sure you're right-then go
ahead" John Stuart Webster warned
her. "DOn't marry in haste and repent
at leisure Dolores. Know your man
before you let him buy the wedding
ring. There's a heap of difference. my
dear, between sentiment and sentiment
tality."
I'm sure Of my man, Calph"
He was silent again, thinking rapid
ly. "Well, Of course" he began again
presently, while there was the slight
est possibility of Bill winning you, |
would have died before saying that
which | am about to say to you now,
Dolores, because Bill is my friend, and
I'd never double cross him. With ref
erence to this other man, however, |
have no such code to consider I'm
pretty well convinced I'm out of the
running, but I'll give that lad a race II
It's the last act Of my life. He's a
stranger to me, and he isn't on the job
to protect his claim, so why shouldn't
stake it If I can? But are you quite
certain you aren't making a grave mis-
take in refusing Billy? He's quite a
boy, my dear. know him from soul
to suspenders, and he'd be awfully
good to you. He's kind and gentle
and considerate, and he's not mohy
coddle, either"
81 can't help 1t, Caliph Please don't
talk about him any more. know
somebody who is kinder and nObler
and gentler." She ceased abruptly,
fearful of breaking down her reserve
and saying too much.
"Well, If Bills case Is hOpeless"-
his hand came cropping for hers, while
he held her with his searching, wistful
glance-"I wonder what mine looks
like. That is. Dolores, IL"
eyes, JOhnY
"Tve played fair with my friend" he .
whispered eagerly. "I'm not going to
ask you to marry me, but l want to
tell you that to me you're such very
wonderful woman l can't help loving |
you with my whole heart and soul"
81 have suspected this, John" she
replied gravely.
81 suppose so. I'm such an obvious
old fool I've had my dream. and I've
put 1t behind me, but IL just want
you to know love you; so long as
live, l shall want to serve you. When
you're married to this other man, and
things do not break just right for you
DOth-lf l have something he wants,
In order to make you happy, I want
you to know it's yours to give to him,
I-I-I-guess that's all, Dolores"
"Thank you, John. Would you like
10 know this man I'm going to mar
y"
Eyes, I think I'd nike to congratulate
he scoundrel."
"Then I'll introduce you to him, John.
first met him on a train ln|Death
valley, California. He was a shaggy
Did dear, all whlskers and rags.1but
lis whlskers couldn't hide his smile,
md ibis rags couldn't hide his man.
rood, and when he thrashed drum
ner because the man annoyed me, I
ust couldn't help falling in love with
I'm. Even when he flbbed to me ana
llsuuted my assertion that we had met