Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-06-09
51IIEIGGG
A School Teacher
From Ohio
By CALVIN HENDRICKS

Copyright. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.
Paul Muir found Western life ex-
actly as he had expected to find 1t.
The picturesque cowboys with their
chaps and spurs he had always known
to be legend. Nevertheless, a great
deal of the wild frontier spirit still
survived In this corner of Arizona.
Paul had gone West for his health.
He was well now, but the country
had grown into his heart and he con-
templated settling there. He had
bought five hundred acres of irrigated
land. Sometimes, though, the appall-
ing loneliness drove him into Failing
Brook, to seek amusement.
The hotel was crowded on this par
ticular evening and the bartender
tersely explained that the cowboys
were In town and that d dance was
to be held.
Bessie looked up at Paul with q
flicker Of amusement and then went
on polishing the glasses.
81 suppose you're looking forward
to a good time, Miss Bessie" hazarded
Paul.
II always enjoy myself" said
Bessie.
Later In the evening Paul entered
the dance hall and seated In her chair
and looking listlessly upon the dancers,
was pretty Bessie. Paul strobe to-
ward her.
MAY have the pleasure of dance
with your" he asked.
~ think you are the only man
among this crowd" she said, and they
swept in to the dance.
Bessie danced divinely. A new and
strange feeling crept into Pauls heart.
He led her back to her chair and
took a seat beside her. He noticed
then that the chair on either side was
empty.
"Why won't they dance with your
he asked.
Bessie's eyes grew wide with aston
ishment. you don't known she
stammered. "Oh, l thought you were
so brave"
but tell me-" he pleaded.
Brown was the hotelkeeper.
young feller," said Brown, laying
his hand heavily on Paul's shoulder, II
admire your grit-if you knew what
you was doing. Clancys in town and
he's as like as not to come to the
dance"
81 don't know anything about Clan
cy," said Paul.
81 guessed you didn't" answered
Brown. Now listen while tell you
and then clear out. Miss Bessie II
Clancy's girl, and he's the best sho
In Arizona. If he knew any man haC
| danced with her or spoken to her, ex
cept In the most Urinary way, he't
spit him as I'd spit a mad dog"
Thanks" said Paul brusquely, ant
went back to Bessie.
II know now" he said II hear Mr.
Clancy's In town and that he might
object to my dancing with you. May
have another dance, Miss BessleW
The girl rose and something In her
eyes answered the plea In his. The
music started and they went whirling
over the pollShed no0r.
Then Into the room there strobe a
little man. In his belt he wore two
revolvers.
Hello, Brownl /" he said with fa-
mliar nod. He walked into the thick
Of the crowd and touched girl upon
the arm. She surrendered herself to
him, and he led the dance again.
Paul watched him as they circed
round and round. The outlaw seemed
not to notice him. 1t was not until
the dance was ended that he caught
sight of Bessie.
Cit out !" he said to Paul, and
pulled the girl toward him. Pauls fist
shot out and the man dropped at his
feet.
The room became a struggling PAN
demonium Paul pulled Bessie through
the surging crowd got her to the door,
and led her to wnere his horse stood
tethered. No one was following them,
but inside the dance hall pandemonlum
still held sway. Paul swung his part
ner into the saddle. Then he mounted
behind her and In a moment they were
canterlng across the plains under the
starlight. He drew her into his arms,
Bessie" he said, 1--WE only seen
you five times, but I've counted each
one. | love you, dear. | am going
to take you away with me. I've won
you from Clancy"
"Oh-ClancyW she said, with
laugh. II never saw Clancy In my life
before"
but you were engaged to him." said
Paul.
Bessie crept closer to him. Let me
tell you about that" she said. "You
don't know anything about me, but you
trust me and believe In me. I was
school teacher in Ohio. l had to come
West for my health. l soon found
that Western men are just as brave
and chiyalrOus as In the East Every
body wanted to marry me. saw that
would have to leave unless l could
discover some way of stopping these
attentions.
"Then Clancy began to be notorious
and thought of inventing that story
about his being my lover. never
saw him in my life before tonight.
But II worked like charm. There
wasn't a man among them dared to
speak to me, except in civil way, or
to dance with me until you came"
John laughed and, bending over her,
kissed her.
I'm going to take you into Gold
mine, sweetheart" he said. There's
a preacher there--and then we're 60
Ing home"
"Home," Bessie repeated, and there
we're tears In her eyes as their lips
met for the second time.