The Raymer enterprise., 1921-04-28

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 flrd words.
"But say. hold on" he exclaimed
excitedly. II 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 bewilderment. which. judging from
the expression Of her eyes. was al.
ready verging on anger.
"What does the man meanT" she
asked hurriedly Of the preacher, who
stood nearest. "You said was to
choose and now he refuses. Did this
one not come pledged?"
II am afraid not, my dear. I did
not know. but he claims otherwise.
He Is not Ponca man."
She fronted Shelby, standing
straight, indignant, her eyes flashing
coldly.
"And you won't marry me7
I'll can't-that's ALL" he STAN.
mered. "Oh, hi! What did you want
to pick me out forT'
The girls eyes rested hard on hs
face. then wandered slowly down the
line Of the others and her lips set
firmly.
swell. then, this play has gone far
enough" she said shortly. "Tve been
square with you all, but I amt going
to be made fool Of no longer. Now Il
is time for you gents to get out O here
pointed out the fellow I'd take an
there amt another one O. the bunch
I'll even look at. I amt so crazy
bout gettin' married; It's only because
he said It was the will o God that
have. Now I'm done. picked my
man an there amt nuthin' else here
I'd touch with a pair Of tongs. so You
might Ms well save your breath and
get out. don't want to talk any more
to any Of you"
"But, my dear child"
"Stop thatl I'm no dear child: I'm
woman; an this place Is mine. even
II 1t 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 nigh,
air, his face burning as though on fire
his mind In tumult Of emotion. He
had no sense Of humor left, just an
ill-defined feeling Of modification and
regret. She had been Justly indig
nant and he felt profoundly sorry fol
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.
tion after awhile, when those fellows
were, all gone. Her burst Of anger
would die away and she would shed
tears Of modification. II would be
a nice thing then II he could 20 bach
there all alone and comfort her; ex'
plain how 1t happened and show hal
how impossible II was for him u
marry.
He could see the men plain,y
enough, outlined In the light. as the,
descended the steps one by one and
then faded away In the darkness
They were a dlsconsolste, discounted
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 impellinl
him forward and even while he clunl
to the step for one final effort the dool
slammed in his face and Shelby heard
the sharp snap Of a lock.
"Well. I'll be d-dl" calculates
Mac. his temper utterly giving way
"If she aln't wildcati Lord. but Tt
sure pity the feller who did marry
her. Come on. old buck, there ID nc
use stayin' here I wonder where
Shelby wentr