The St. Johns herald., 1921-05-12

in the situation, there was no expres- sion of it visible. She retained an ap- pearance of sullen indifference, which was almost insolent.
 '''There ain't no, more of 'emT
 '"No; this is all."
 And 1 got to pick from theseT
 The preacher nodded his head, as she glanced inquiringiy in his direc- tion. The pent-up breath came in 8 sigh from between her lips.
 "WelI, if I've got to, I have, I sup pose, and, so far as I can see, 1t don't make no difference. I'll take the fel- low sittin' over there on the window; the one with the pink shirt"
 Shelby was upon his feet instantly, so thoroughly startled by this sudden denouement as to scarcely find words.
 But say, hold onP' he exclaimed excitedly. q don't belong to this bunch; don't even live in Ponca. just came along to help out"
 The girl looked from face to face in bewflderment, which. judging from the expression of her eyes, was al- ready verging on anger.
 What does the man mean% she asked hurriedly of the preacher, who stood nearest. You said 1 was to choose and now he refuses. Did this one not come pledgedT.
 'I am afraid not, my dear. did not know, but he claims otherwise. He is not a Ponca man." She fronted Shelby, standing straight. indignant, her eyes flashing coldly.
 And you won't marry meT
 Fl can't-that's all" he stam- mered. "Oh, h-l! What did you want to pick me out for?'
 The girls eyes rested hard on his face, then wandered slowly down the line of the others and her lips set firmly.
 "Weu, then, this play has gone far enough" she said shortly. "Pve been square with you all. but I ain't going to be made a fool of no longer. Now it is time for you gents to get out O here. ! | DOlQLGu there ain't another one O the bunch I'll even look at. I ain't so crazy bout gettin' married; it's only because he said it was the will O God that have. Now I'm done. I picked my man an there ain't nuthin' else here I I'd touch with a pair of tOngs, so you might as we'll save your breath and get out. I don't want to talk any more to any of yOu."
 "But, my dear child"
 "Stop thatl I'm no dear child; I'm a woman; an this place is mine, even if it is a shack. You get right out O here, the whole kit an caboodle of you"
 Shelby was the first to slide forth through the half-open door, glad enough to escape into the cool night air, his face burning as though on fire, his mind in a tumult of emotion. He had no sense of humor left, just an ill-defned feeling of modification and regret. She had been justly indig- nant and he felt profoundly sorry for the part he had played. By heavens [ She was some girl; no mere wishy- washy creature to be laughed at and ignored. He'd like to tell her so. Per haps he would; there would be reac- ton after awhile, when those fellows were all gone. Her burst of anger would die away and she would shed tears of modification. It would be a nice thing then if he could go back there all alone and comfort her; ex- plain how 1t happened and show her how impossible it was for him to marry.
 He could see the men plainly enough, outlined in the light as they descended the steps one by one and then faded away in the darkness. They were a disconsolate, discomhted
 bunch. with downcast faces and silent lips. The preacher and Mccarthy came last. the former still talking, his voice imploring, but evidently to no purpose for something behind kept impelling 3 him forward and even while he clung ? to the step for one final effort the door slammed in his face and Shelby heard the sharp snap of lock. !, "WeIl, I'll be dNdP calculated Mac. his temper utterly giving way : "If she ain't a wildcatI Lord, but I'd 2 sure pity the feller who did marry ! ! her. Come on, old buck, there is nc , use stayin' here. I wonder where l x1opf1 1S