The Washington herald., 1921-06-05

IN tne 10" GROUNDS at nignt saying,
'Willie-wsllo"
It's the venomous Kypootum.'
proclaimed another. 1T stings after
it's dead. and hollers after it's
buried"
IT'S the chief Of the hairy tribe,
said Photograph Davis. But it's
stone dead, now. boys"
Don't you believe it." demurred
Dry-Creek. It's only 'possumin'.
It's the dreaded Highgollacum fan.
tod from the forest. There's only
one way to destroy its life"
He led forward Old Taller. the
240-pound cow-puncher. Old Taller
placed the hat upright on the
ground and solemnly sat upon it
crushing it as flat as a pancake
Hackett had viewed these pro.
ceedings with wide-open eyes, Sam
Holly saw that his anger was rising
and said to him:
Here's where you win or lose
Judge. There are sixty votes on the
Diamond Cross. The boys are try
ing your mettle. Take 1t as a joke
and don't think you'll regret it,
And Hackett saw the point and rose
to the occasion.
ADVANCING 10 "hGT6 tnc SIdJcTf
of the wild beast were standing
above its remains and declaring II
to be at last defunct. he said, with
deep earnestness:
Boys. / must thank you for this
gallant rescue. While driving
through the arroyo that cruel mon
ster that you have so fearlessly and
repeatedly slaughtered sprang upon
US from the tree tops. To you
shall consider that l owe my life
and also. l hope, reelection to the
office for which l am again can
didate. Allow me to hand you my
card"
The cow-punchers, always so So
ber-faced while engaged in theii
monkey shines. relaxed into a grin
OF approval
But Phonograph Davis, his appe-
tite for fun not yet appeased, had
something more up his sleeve.
"Pardner." he said. addressing
Hackett with grave severity, many
a camp would be down on you fol-
turnin' loose a pernicious varmin'
like that in it: but bein' as we all
escaped without loss OF life. well
overlook 1t. You can play square
with us il you'il do it."
'How's that?" demanded Hackett
suspiciously.
You're authorized to perform the
sacred rights and lefts of matter
mony. air you not?"
well, yes" replied Hackett. "A
marriage ceremony conducted by me
would be legal"
"A wrong air to be righted in this
rh xyir
tuously. "A a-ristocrat have slight
ed a 'umble but beautchoos female
watts pinin' for his affections. It's
the jooty of the camp to drag forth
the naughty descendant of a hun
dred-or maybe a hundred and twen-
ty-five-earls, even so at the pint
of a lariat, and jine him to the
weepin' lady. Fellows! Round UP
Miss Sally and the Marquis; there's
goin' to be a weddin'."
This whim of Photographs was
received with whoops of apprecia-
tion. The cow-punchers started to
apprehend the principals of the pro-
posed ceremony,
Kindly prompt me-" said Hack
ett, wiping his forehead, though
the night was cool, how far this
thing is to be carried. And might
I expect any further portions of my
raiment to be mistaken for wild
animals and killed."
"The boys are livelier than usual
tonight" said Saunders. The ones
they are talking about are two of
the boys-a herd rider and the cook.
It's another joke. You and Sam
will have to sleep here tonight any
way; p'rhaps you'd better see 'em
through with 1t. Maybe they'll
quiet down after that"
The matchmakers found Miss
Sally seated on the tongue of the
grub wagon, calmly smoking his
pipe. The Marquis was leaning idly
against one of the trees under
which the supply tent was pitched.
Into this tent they were both
hustled, and Phonograph, as mas
ter of ceremonies, gave orders for
the preparations.
You, Dry-Creek and Jimmy. and
Ben and Taller-hump yourselves to
the wildwood and rustic flowers for
the blowout = mesquite'll do-and
get that Spanish dagger blossom
at the corner of the horse corral
for the bride to pack. You, Limpy,
get out that red and yaller blanket
of your'n for Miss Sally's skyirt.
Marquis, you'll do 'thout fixin'; no
body don't ever look at the groom"
During their absurd preparation
the two principals were left alone
for few moments in the tent. The
MARQUIS suddenly showed wild per-
turbation.
This foolishness must not go on
he said. turning to Miss Sally a face
white in the light of the lantern.
hanging to the ridge-pole.
why noty' said the cook. with an
amused smile. "Tt,9 INN for tha