The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1922-06-16
+ School Teacher
From Ohio
r. 4ALvIN HENDRICKS

II
| The picturesque cowboys with their
| chaps and spurs he had always known
l TO be a legend. Nevertheless, a great
I deal OF the wild frontier spirit still
| survived I'm this corner OF Arizona.
Paul had gone West for his health.
He was we'll 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 lonelihess 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 q dance was
/ to be held
Bessie looked up at Paul with
| flicker of amusement and then went
! on polishing the glasses.
| al suppose you're looking forward
| to n good time, Miss Bessie" hazarded
Paul.
L 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 a dance
with your" he asked. 49,
! FL think you are the only man
among this crowd" she said, and they
swept In 10 the dance.
| Bessie danced diyinely. A new and
| strange feeling crept into Paurs heart.
He led her beck TO her chair and
took 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, thought you were
so brave"
But tell me-" he pleaded.
ASK Brown said Bessie. bluntly.
Brown was the hotelkeeper.
Young Teller" said Brown, laying
his hand heavily on Paul's shoulder. Il
admire your grit-if you knew what
you was doing Cancy's In town and
he's as like as not to come TO the
lance."
Il don't know anything about Clam
cy," said Paul.
81 guessed you didn't" answered
Bro N. Now listen while l tell you,
and then clear out Miss Bessie Is
Clancy's girl. and he's the best shot
In Ari ona. If he knew any man hal
| danced with her or spoken 10 her. eX-
cept in the most Urinary way, he'd
spit him as I'd spit mad dog"
Thanks" said Paul brusquely, and
went back 10 Bessie
81 know now,' he said. At hear Mr..
Clancy's In town and that he might
object to my dancing with you May
| | have another dance, Miss Bessiel"
The girl rose and something i'm her
eyes answered the plea in his. The
music started and they went whirling
over the polished floor.
Then into the room there strobe a
little man. In his belt he wore two
revolvers.
Hello. Brown he said with a IA
mlliar nod. He walked into the thick
Of the crowd and touched a girl upon
the arm. She surrendered herself TO
him, and he led the dance again.
Paul watched him as they clrcled
round and round The outlaw seemed
not to notice him. II was not until
the dance was ended that he caught
sight of Bessie.
|
pulled the girl toward him. Paul's fist
shot out and the man dropped at his
feet.
J The room became q struggling pam
demonium Paul pulled Bessie through
the Surging crowd. got her TO the door.
and led her to where his horse stood
tethered. No one was following them,
but inside the dance hall Inndemonium
still held sway. Paul swung his part
ner into the saddle Then he mounted
. behind her and in moment they were
I 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-Clancy she said, with a
laugh. II never saw Clancy In my life
before"
But you were engaged to him." said
1 Paul
: Bessie crept closer to him. LET me
2 tell you about that" she said. you
4 don't know anything about me, but you
4 trust me and believe in me. | was a
: school teacher I'm Ohio. / had TO come
2 West for my health. i soon found
: that Western men are just as brave
D and chivaIrOus as in the East Every
V body wanted 10 marry me. saw that
| would have TO leave unless / could
discover some way of stopping these
attentions.
"Then Clancy began 10 be notorious
!, and / thought of inventing that story
Z about his being my lover. never
& saw him In my life before tonight.
{, But il worked like a charm. There
= wasn't a man among them dared 10
{, speak TO me. except In a civil way, or
{, 10 dance with me until you came"