The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-04-28

Vlh'
an Take the Fellow sittin' Over
There"
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 find words.
"But say. hold on" he exclaimed
excitedly. 81 don't belong to this
bunch; don't even live In Ponca. I
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 Goes the man mean?" she
asked hurrfedly of the preacher, who
stood nearest. you said was to
choose and now ne refuses. Did this
one not come pledgedT
II am afraid not, my dear. I did
not know, but he claims otherwise.
He Is not a Ponca man."
She fronted Shelby, standing
straight. indignant her eyes flashing
coldly.
"And you won't marry meT'
I'll can't-that's ALL" he stam-
mered. "Oh, HI! What did you want
to pick me out forT
The girls eyes rested hard on his
face, then wandered slowly down the
line Of the others and her lips set
firmly.
"Well. then, this play has gone far
enough" she said shortly. "Pve been
square with you all, but 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 1t was the will o. God that
I have. Now I'm done. I picked my
man an there amt nuthin' else hero
I'd touch with pair Of tongs, so you
might as well save your breath and
get out. I don't want to talk any more
to any Of you"
"But, my dear child"
"Stop thati I'm no dear child; I'm
a woman; an this place Is mine, even
IL 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 night
air, his face burning as though on fire.
his mind In tumult Of emotion. He
had no sense of humor left, Just an
ill-defned feeling of modification and
regret. She had been justly indig-
nant and he felt profoundly sorry for
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-
ton after awhile. when those fellows
were all gone. Her burst Of anger
would die away and she would shed
tears of modification. It would be
nice thing then II ne could go back
there all alone and comfort her; ex.
plain how 1t happened and show her
how impossible 1t was for him to
marry.
He could see the men plainly
enough, outlined in the light, as they
descended the steps one by one and
then faded away in the darkness.
They were disconsolate, 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 impellIng
him forward and even while he chung
to the step for one final effort the door
slammed In his face and Shelby heard
the sharp snap OF lock.
swell, I'll be d-d" CALCULATED
Mac, his temper utterly giving way.
"If she amt Wildcat Lord, but I'd
sure pity the Teller who did marry
her. Come on, old buck, there is nc
use stayln' here. / wonder where
Shelby went?"