The Adair County news., 1922-02-14

the scratch. I naturally can't marry
her myself, seeing as how I've got a
wife and five kids already, but I'll do
the next best .thing-Tll cough up
enough coin to give the fellow who
will give her a chance ter make good.
She's goin' ter have cash ter back
her."
How much?"
"What's the figure, Dan%
1.-TWO thousand, besides the FIVE
hundred already subscribed. That's
more'n some O. you ducks ever saw"
"Say, Mac, what was the plan? Cut
the cards for furst chance"
''No; this is spOrtin' proposition,
with everyone havin' a fair show"
explained the saloonkeeper. "We
sorter picked you boys out as the most
likely runts round town and intend
ter line you up an then let her pick
out the one she takes fancy to. It's
only fair she has chance to take the
duffer she'd rather have"
There was confused murmur of
voices, some reckless, others mutter-
ing opposition, but it was evident the
proposition rather appealed to the ma
| jority, who saw in it chance for some
unusual fun and excitement, with only
a vague probability of being caught.
Shelby slipped in a word.
"Pll bet five to one," he said quietly,
that she turns down the whole gang
"Ter HI she will Not after she
gets one glimpse o. Cowan. She'll
think he owns the town."
"That's it, boys! Come on, you
fellers the bunch O. us don't run nc
risk. She'll copper on COwan an il
she misses him them sideburns O. Ar
chibald's will sure get her goat"
els this yere two thousand sure
thingY' 1t was Cowan who asked
somewhat anxiously. "It amt got nc
string tied to itf'
A yell greeted the question, punctu
ated with various remarks.
"Takin' it seriously, old man."
| "Goin' to start an opposition storeT
81 guarantee the sum-" said Nc
Carthy, "every last cent of it. Who
ever the girl chooses, when he marries
her, I'll pay him the money. That's
fiat an you boys know whose talking.
There was a surging forward indi
cative of readiness. Evidently the
proposition had caught on, and the
bunch was eager to learn the result.
LEAD us to it, Mac" someone cried
gayly, "gittin' married is my Ions
suit"
"AlI right, boys" and McCarth!
glanced at his watch. 81 reckon th'
preacher ought ter have her ready fo
the delegation by this time. How
about it, TomT'
They moved slowly out, jostlini
each other, and indulging in hOrs
play and rude jokes, none taking tn
affair seriously, but eager to learn hov
h would terminate.
Mccarthy led the way, directl,
across the main street, and down tn
path past the dance hall, which b.
this time was in full blaze. Beyon'
they were plunged into darkness, bu'
could see ahead of them the fain
| CLEAN of light through the window
of Calkins' shack One or two sought
to drop out, but Shelby collared then
promptly, so that the entire bunch
finally lined up behind Mccarthy as he
raped on the closed door. The preach
er opened it, his round face beaminG
benignantIy in the glare of the single
oil-lamp within, his bulk absolutel!
blocking the entrance. Beyond, those
close at hand had vague glimpse OF
the girl, who stood back against the
wall, staring toward them with wide
open eyes. The Buffalo Gap maj
smiled blandly in welcome, impressed
by the. number of faces he saw, anC
stepped heavily aside.
"Come right in, gentlemen" he ex
claimed, gesturing impressively will
one hand, "our accommodations are
! not extensive, as you will perceive
yet ample, trust. Just circle about
the wall thereto the left, please
You have explained the circumstances
Mr.. Mccarthy"