Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1921-01-28

lou are Tedl!y very CiuuiSy. Suhp"- |
You should never try to direct the des-
tiny of any woman"
"Tm on the sick list" he pleaded. |
"and IT 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 hopelessr
Absolutely. Caliph.'
"Hum-m-m."
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 so
and returned to his side. singing softly
little song that had foated out over
the transom Of Wehster's room door
into the hall one night:
A Spanish cavalier
Went out to rope a steer.
Along with his paper cigar-r-ro!
"Caramba." said he.
"Manana you will be
Mucho bueno carne por mio!"
He turned his head and looked up at
her suddenly, searchingly. us there
anybody else in Bills wayT he de-
manded. 81 admit It's none Of my
business, but"
"Yes, Caliph. there is some one else"
81 thought So" This rather vicious
~. I'm willing to gamble 100 to ].
sight unseen, that whoever he is. he
isn't half the man Bill is"
THAT" she replied coldly. "is mat
ter of personal opinion"
"And Bills clock is fixed for keepsT
"Yes. Caliph. And he never had a
chance from the start"
"why not?"
"Well. I met the other man first. Ca
liph."
"Oh. Do you mind telling me what
this other man does for living?"
sHes mining man. like Billy"
"AIl right! Has the son Of horse
thief got a mine like Bill's? That's
something to consider. Dolores"
"He has a mine fully as good as
Billy's. Like Billy. he owns a half
interest in it, too"
"Hum-m-m! How long have you
known himT'
mot very long"
BE sure you're right-then e.
ahead John Stuart Webster warned
her. Don't marry in haste and repent
at leisure. Dolores. Know your mar
; before you let him buy the wedding
ring. There's heap of difference. my
! dear, between sentiment and sentimen
taiity."
: ~rm sure of my man. Caliph."
; He was silent again. thinking rapid
. ". swell. of course" he began agaiT
'3vspUsNUnffy U BIZ winning you.
would have died before saying tina
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 10 consider. Tn
pretty well convinced I'm out Of tn,
running. but I'll give that lad race I
It's the last act Of my life. He's {
stranger to me. and he isn't on the jol
to protect his claim. 30 why shouldn't
I stake II n I can? But are you quite
certain you aren't making a grave mis-
, take in refusing Billy! He's quite {
. boy. my dear. know him from son
to suspenders. and he'd be awful!
good to you. He's kind and gentle
and considerate. and he's not q molly
coddle. either"
II can't help It. Caliph. Please dom
talk about him any more. I know
somebody who is kinder and noble
and gentler." She ceased abruptly
fearful Of breaking down her reserv,
and saying too much.
"weIl, n Bilrs case Is hopeless"-
his. hand came cropping for hers. Will,
he held her with his searching. wistfu
glance wonder what mine look
like. Tint is. Dolores. IL"
Yea Johnr 1-
'Txe played fair NTH my friend" h,
whispered eagerly. I'm not going Il
ask you to marry me, but want Il
tell you that to me you're such q yer.
wonderful woman I can't help iovini
you with my whole heart and soul"
II have suspected this. John" sh'
replied gravely.
IL suppose 90. I'm such an 0bviou
old fool. I've had my dream, and rv'
put II behind me. but III just wan
you to know love you; 80 long rs
live. shall want to serve you. WheI
you're married to this other man. ant
things do not break just right for yol
bofh-if I have something he wants
! I'm order to make you happy. wan
you to know it's yours to give to him
: HI-I-guess that's all. Dolores"
Thank you. John. Would you lik'
to know this man I'm going to mar
ryr
"Yes. think I'd like to congratulate,
the scoundrel."
Then I'll introduce you to him. John
first met him on a train In Deatl
valley. California. He was q shagg,
old dear. all whiskers and rigs. bu
his whiskers couldn't hide his smile
and his rags couldn't hide his man
hood, and when he fhrashed a drum
mer because the man annoyed me.
just couldn't help falling In love witt
him. Even when he fibbed to the AM
disputed my assertion that we had me
I before"
'Gooc land of love-and the calve
get ioose!" ne almost shouted as h,
held up his one sound arm TO her. 81,
dear. my dear"
: "Oh sweetheart" she whispered lay
ing. her hot cheek against his. "ft'i
IN kou vou an long IN saw n buf low,