The Holbrook news., 1921-04-29

cape rom the community with all that
 money, nor snapped up by some mer- cenary stranger.
 i During the next half hour Shelby
 managed to interview at least half 1 dozen whom he considered eligible
 bachelors or lonely widowers, artfully
 selecting those known to be of some
 what sportive disposition, to whom
 such a proposition as he had to offer
 might naturally appeal. A few Of
 these treated the suggestion profanely 1;
 others were rather evasive, but the
 majority thus Automatically approach
 ed eyinced sufficient interest to yield
 much encouragement. His wares had
 been brought to good market and Old Dads girl, rendered particularly at tractive by a dot" running up into the thousands, would find plenty of eager suitors. Now that the rumor of her eligibility was being privately circulated from mouth to mouth, any unnecessary delay would only render the affair more complicated.
 He would report at once the sue cess of his mission and urge his CO., conSpirators to immediate action. It would sure be a fine sight to see these fellows lined up while that girl looked them over deliberately making a choice. Suddenly his gaze rested on young man, dejectedly hanging over the end of the bar, arguing with bartender, who only shook his head impassively. Shelby moved along un- til he ranged up beside the fellow.
 What's your name?"
 Joe MackIin''
 "They call you Kid don't they, round here?"
 Sure; mostly. What are yer drivin' at, anyhow?"
 "Why, this. I got ranch over on the Cottonwood, an come in here to pick up cow-hand. I got a half breed, but I need another. That's where I stand"
 'WhatH it pay?"
 Forty dollars. You got horse?"
 ''Well, the critter looks like one; turned out in Powell's corral, but ain't got no money to pay fer his feed. Yer'll have ter blow me some coin.''
 "All right; here's ten and I'll pay Powell for the horse keep. You show up here sober at ten tomorrow, or else I'll leave you here; that's straight"
 He strode away across the big crowded room and opened door at the further end. Stepping across the he closed the door behind him and faced Mccarthy and the ex- preacher from Buffalo Gap, both of whom glanced up expectantly. Shelby leaned back against the wall and con- templated the two, chewing on the butt of cigar.
 We'll he said bluntly. "the cards l are stacked, gents; now. all you got to do is to play your hands,"
 'What do you mean? The boys are for it?"
 Hungry and snapping. I talked to quite a bunch. The one thing I'm afraid of is that some galoot may take a notion to hunt the girl up before | we can get things into shape. That's why I hurried in here. We got to pull the affair tonight"
 The preacher spread his hands, way ing the suggestion aside.
 'No, no; that really wouldn't be i decent, so soon after the funeral. The poor girl must be given opportunity to mourn in peace"
 "Shucks It will give her something else to think about. Anyhow, that whole bunch will be after her by What do you say. Mac?"
 'T don't see no objections. The sooner it's cleaned up the better and here won't be no hard feelin's among he boys if we don't give 'em any time o mill around"
 You aim to run the bunch in on Ter with no notice?"
 "No; that's up to the preacher. He invented this game and has got to take ,are of that end of it. don't know lothin' bout females and don't aim o learn. We'll leave the girl to this gent from Buffalo Gap. Let him nosey right over and talk it out with Ter straight. He can put it sorter Say we give him an lour an then shoot the bunch over to he shack; that ought to be long lOA illAh SCl 6lIl i1lO he right frame of mind, if she's ever ,oin' to he. Maybe she'll take it all fight and maybe she won't You 'eady to try your luck, Dominie?"
 There is no question in my mind,' le answered solemnly, "but that this s the proper method of procedure. am therefore resigned to do my part shall undertake the mission in the nigh spirit of my calling"
 "WeIl," said Mccarthy who had ,een writing industriously. There's the ist of gazabos I've made out. There lint no angels among 'em, but she Iure ought to pull a prize out O that punch, if she looks 'em over."
 The preacher got to his feet.
 'Tis as the Lord wills" he said 'I go humbly forth to do ny part"