Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1921-01-26
The Right Side
By EVELYN LEE

ris had last met Ross Warren, and 1t
was with something more than ordi-
nary curiosity that she greeted him
on the public street.
''rhey told me he had grown into
regular fire eater" babbled Myrtle to
her mother and sisters. II observed
no trace of 1t. He is as dignitied and
gentle, and far more handsome than
ever"
Half the people Of Wycherly shared
the impression as to this "hre-eating
feature. When Warren went West
to join relatives on ranch In
remote section, the local newspaper
had kept tab on the various develop
ments in his new experience. 1t was
natural that these should be colored
extravagantly, and there were many
descriptions of instances where War
rem had taken part in battles with
rustlers and bad men generally. Ac-
cording to popular rumor he had be-
come species Of f1stic champion and
ready shot. He had returned to
Wycherly, his departure much de-
plored, and his record approved by
his recent rough-and-ready but appre-
ciative fellow citizens of the wild and
woolly ranch lands. It would have
seemed quite natural, therefore, II
Warren had appeared In town on a
madly cavorting mustang, arrayed In
buckskin, Iong-haired, gun-belted, and
shooting up the place as a matter OF
regular usage. On the contrary, i'm
| macuIately attired, self-possessed, re-
| luctant to boast or even to allude to
his frontier experience, Warren ap-
peared to wish to be regarded as
simple, commonplace individual.
"He's q distinct disappointment,u
observed Bert Allen, an old-time boy
rival of Warren, when both were en-
ulative to hold first place in the es-
stimation of pretty Myrtle. "Our
crowd expected he would bring some
fun and excitement along with him,
such as challenging Big Pete, cham
| pion lightweight of the athletic club,
or cleaning out Dan Carson and his
/ gang down at the flats"
"We fight out West because we have
! to do 1t to maintain our rights" War
rem remarked one day. .Those who
do 1t from malice or natural perversity
generally die soon."
"He's afraid, that's what's the trou-
BILE" sneered Bert Allen. Wants to
pose as cowboy ladies' man. When
he isn't hanging around with Ned
Norris, he Is waiting chance to meet
his sister. I would like to see his
mettle tried. Maybe he wouldn't seem
so heroic a character after getting
mauled by common mechanic like
Dan Carson"
Bert Allen had got the fighting idea
in his mind and could not get it out of
It. He was an arrant craven himself,
and proceeded to plot and maneuver
secretly. Carson was bully, but all
the same was endowed with great
| physical strength and some pugilistic
science. When fired up with liquor he
was ready for almost anything reck-
less and desperate. Bert tainted him
with the loss of local prestige as
"cock. of the walk since Warren had
returned, slipped him a ten-dollar bill
and limited that he expected to get
that much moneys worth out Of see
ing the cowboy hero put out Of COM ].
mission, once for all.
The bully proceeded to put himself
in the way Of Warren, and boosted
publicly his motive. Warren paid no
more attention to him than II he was
a troublesome fly. Then the specious
Bert suggested: MAKE an excuse to
roll him about his Norris friends"
and the next day as Warren and Ned
Norris came down the street Dan
lurched against the latter.
"Who you showing !" he growled, and
dealt the lad brutal blow that sent
him spinning to the sidewalk.
The fire that instantly famed in
Ross warren's eye might have warned
the rufian, but he was fired up with
drink and took a momentary inaction
on the part of Warren as hesitating
cowardice. Then Warren acted. Out
shot his fist. 1t was like mallet
telling an OK. Dan Carson went fiat
with thud. Warren turned to assist
the bruised and bleeding Ned to his
feet.
"Look out!" shouted man across
the street in alarming accents.
Dan Carson had staggered to his
feet and had drawn weapon. War
rem sprang in front of Ned. There
was a sharp report, he felt singing
sensation in his arm, but he had saved
the lads life. Dan Carson was taken
in charge by an officer, and Warren
hurried to the nearest physician.
The company of faithful Ned Nor.
ris at his hotel while Warren was re-
covering from his wound, grateful, al
most tender messages from Myrtle,
flowers, fruit--Ross Warren knew
that he had the best friends in the
world.
The day when he again called at the 4
Norris home, his arm still bandaged
but fairly on the convalescent list,
Myrtle welcomed him with fervor
that told him his love was not in vain.
She took pains to change her posi-
ton so as to be on his right side.
'You needn't be solicitous about my
hurt arm" said Warren. ut is nearly
healed"
"Oh! 1t wasn't that" began Myrtle,
but paused confusedly.
Wise, willy, loving maiden! 1t was
indeed not that, for an hour later,
when Warren had expressed his hearts
sentiment, that perfectly well arm en-
| a,e< lo