Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1921-03-25
BY PETER Is. KYNE

teeth. He was properly thunder
struck-so much so, In fact, that for a
moment he actually forgot her pres
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. "Yeu 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. might as 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 I had
the mine in operation. Poor boy. That
was a frightful song-and-dance you
gave him."
81 suspected you were the match
maker in this case. must say think
you're old enough to know better, Ca
liph John"
'sYou did, Ell? Well. what made You
think so?"
She chuckled. ooh, you're very OBJ
vious-to a woman"
81 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"
"pm on the sick list" he pleaded,
sand 1t isn't sporting Of you to discuss
me. You're healthy-so let us discuss
you. Dolores, do you figure Bills case
to be absolutely hopelessT'
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 couture was Just SO
and returned to his side, singing softly
a little song that had fioated out over
the transom of Webster's room door
into the hall one night:
A Spanish cavalier
Went out to rope a. steer,
Along with his paper cigar-r-rol
"CarambaT' said he
''Manana you win be
Mucho bueno carne por miol'
He turned his head and looked up at
her suddenly, searchingly. SIS there
anybody else in Bills way?" he de-
manded. 81 admit it's none of my
business, but"
eyes. Caliph, there is some one else"
II thought So" This rather vicious
ly. 'Tm willing to gamble 100 to /,
sight unseen, that whoever he is, he
isn't half The man Bill is"
"That," she replied coldly, "is a mat
ter of personal opinion"
"And Bits clock is fixed for keeps?"
Eyes, Caliph. And he never had a
chance from the start"
why not7"
well, met the other man first, Ca.
liph."
"Ohi Do you mind telling me what
this other man does for living7"
Hes mining man. like Billy"
"All right Has the son Of q horse
thief got mine like Bill's2 That's
something to consider, Dolores"
HE has q mine fully as good as
Billy's. Like Billy, ne owns a half
interest in It, too"
"Hum-m-ml How long have you
known him."
mot very long"
BE sure you're right-then go
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 sentiment
tally"
I'm sure Of my man, Caliph."
He was silent again. thinking rapid
~. "Well. of course" he began again
presently, while there was the slight
est possibility of Bill winning you. |
would have died before saying that
which / 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 a race If
It's the last act of my life. He's q
stranger to me, and he isn't on the Job
TO protect his claim. so why shouldn't
] stake 1t II cam But are you quite
certain You aren't making a grave mis-
take in refusing Biliyf He's quite a
boy. my dear. ! know him from soul
TO snspenders. and he'd be awfully
good to you. He's kind and gentle
and considerable. and he's not a molly
eoddle. either"
II can't help t. Caliph. Please don't
talk about him any more. / know
somebody who Is kinder and nobler
and Eeutler." she ceased abruptIv
Hazzz 0sk sr,e 3o,u,, h. -.