Cheyenne record., 1921-06-23

teeth. He was properly thunder
struck-so much so, in fact, that for
moment he actually forgot her pScs=
ence the while he pondered this most
incredible state of affairs.
II see It all now. It's as clear as
mud" he announced finally. "You re-
fused poor old Bill and broke his
heart. and SO he went away and hasn't
had the courage to write me since. I'm
afraid Bill and both regarded this
fight as practically won-all over but
the wedding march. as one might put
It. I might az well confess hustled
the boy down from the mine Just so
you two could get married and light
out on your honeymoon. figured Bill
could kill two birds with one stone
have his honeymoon and get rid Of his
malaria, and return here in three or
four months to relieve me, after had
the mine in operation. Poor boy. That
was q frightful song-and-dance you
gave him."
II suspected you were the match
maker In this case. must say think
you're old enough to know better. Ca
liph John"
"You did. eh1 Well. what made you
think so7"
She chuckled. "oh. you're very OBJ
vious-to a woman"
" forgot. that you reveal the past
and foretell the future"
"You are really very clumsy, Caliph.
You should never try to direct the des-
tiny Of any woman"
sTm on the sick list" he pleaded.
"and It isn't sporting Of you to discuss
me. You're healthy-so let rs discuss
You. Dolores, DO you figure Bus case
to be absolutely hopele@r
absolutely, Caliph."
"Hum-m-mi"
Again Webster had recourse to med.
itation, seeing which, Dolores walked
to the pier glass in the corner. satisfied
herself that her coiffure was Just 80
and returned to his side. singing softly
q little song that had doatsd out over
the transom Of Websters room deer
into the hall one night:
A spanish cAvansr
Went out to rope steer.
Along with his paper cieaf-s.sOi
'-Carambal said he.
"Nanana you win b
Nucho bueno cafns por mioi"
He turned his head and looked up at
her suddenly, searchingiy. us there
anybody else In Bill's way7" he de-
manded. II admit its none Of my
business, but"
"Yes, Caliph. there is some one else"
II thought So" This rather vicious
ly. "rm willing to gamble 100 to I,
sight unseen. that whoever he Il, he
isn't half the man Bill ia"
THAT" she replied coldly. els mat
ter Of personal opinion"
"And Bins clock = fixed for keepsr
"Yes, Caliph. And hs never had
chance from the start"
"why notf'
|. 'well, I met the other man first. Ca
liph."
.ohi Do you mind telling me what
this other man does for livingf'
"He's q mining man, like Billy"
"All right Has the son Of q horse
thief got q mine like Bill'sf That's
something to consider. Dolores"
.He has a mine fully As good as
Billy's. Like Billy, he owns a half
interest in 1t, too"
"Hum-m-mi How long have you
known himf'
"Not very long"
"Be sure you're right-then 60
ahead" John Stuart Webster warned
her. "Don't marry in haste and repent
at leisure, Dolores. Know your man
before you let him buy the wedding
ring. There's heap Of difference. my
dear, between sentiment and sentimen-
tality."
"I'm sure Of my man, Caliph."
He was silent again. thinking rapid.
ly. swell, Of course" he began again
presently. while there was the slight
est possibility Of Bill winning you.
would have died before saying that
which 1 am about to say to you now.
Dolores. because Bill is my friend. and
I'd never double cross him. With ref
erence, to this other man, however, !
have no such code to consider. I'm
pretty well convinced I'm out Of the
running. but I'll give that lad q race II
it's the last act Of my life. He's a
stranger to me. and he isn't on the Job
to protect his claim, so why shouldn't
I stake 1t II I cant But are you quite
certain you aren't making grave mis-
take in refusing Billyf He's quite a
boy, my dear. I know him from soul
to suspenders. and he'd be awfully
good to you. He's kind and gentle
and considerate. and he's not molly.
coddle. either"
II can't help 1t. Caliph. Please don't
talk about him any more. I know
somebody who Is kinder and nobler
and gentler." She ceased abruptly,
fearful Of breaking down her reserve
and saying too much.
swell, If Bits case is hopeless
his hand came cropping for hers, while
he held her with his searching. wistful
glance-.I wonder what mine looks
like. That IL. Dolores, III
"Yes, Johnr'