The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-14
A SACEBRUSH CINDERELLA
By Max Brand

| English, Jac. you san't rope me l | see the shadow of the moose fyin over my head an I'm going to duck l out from under.' | She turned away with a far-off sor- row in her face
 There's tears in your eyes," A pathetic smile quivered an in- stant at the corners of her lips. Honest, aint you jest throwin' a
 q thought you would understand me, Carrigan."
 He was breathing hard. She re- membered caption which had been | flashed on a Maude Merriam screen. T thought you were big enough to My God!" whispered Carrigan. l 'What?"
 '"The ropes on mel"
 "Carrigan. why do you play with me like thiS?"
 Me play with your" ''Yes. Is it fair?'' The keen eyes searched her intent ly. She felt as the duelist felt when down his heel. The violin started a run.
 "The Carrigan CutI" she cried.
 He went through with it automati- cally.
 No one can dance with it," she whispered, as the hand of Ben Craig fell on Carrigan's arm, and as she moved away with the solemn-faced ~" CAChClS ShS SdW dH SldHu- ing as Dave Carey had done, with the far-away look, like a man who says farewell to everything that matters in his life. their eyes fixed upon one object on the dancing floor, came together at a corner of the hall. She drew closer They started forward at the same time, then stopped and glared at each other with bitter understanding
 "Maurie," said Carey gently, take my tip. Don't bother Miss Silvestre no more tonight. It won't bring you
 Maurie smiled from the deeps of his pity. xH
 "Jacqueline." he said, with marked emphasis, has found one man who understands her."
 Carey shook his head slowly. He spoke carefully. as one would explain a difficult problem to 9 child. Jac was making the second circuit of the hall with Craig. She had reached the point: But don't westerners as a rule call each other by the given name, MT. Craig?"
 She's had a sad life, Maurie," said vision in greens You, with your bringin' up, you couldn't understand how to take to a swell girl like"
 He stopped, stifening, and changed of face.
 q guess that'n hold you, Maurfe. Did you see her smile at me?"
 Smile at you?" said Maurie with unutterable scorn. why, you poor She smiled at me like that before. They've tried to-to-bury her in the West, but she's found-'
 "One real man!"
 Mel" said Maurie.
 The music stopped.
 Maurie, aside from bein' little thick in the head, you're a pretty straight feller in most ways. I don't want to see you make no fool out of yourself.''
 The smile of big Gordon came from an infinite distance, from a height Of almost sacred compassion. Jacqueline and me- he said soft ly, i've understand. She's led a sad what the hel1i''
 For as the dancers returned to their chairs, Harry During, lurching across line. He had found it difficult to get dancing partners that evening and for consolation and excitement he had retreated to the bar and attended seriously and conscientiously to the matter of quenching his thirst. That thirst was deep-Seated and it had taken him 8 long time to reach the 1 seat of the dryness. Now, however, done his duty by his parched insides, 1 and he started toward the door to take | horse and ride home. On the way a | vision crossed his path-a vision in green with floating mist of dainty coloring over her shoulders. He | paused to admire. He remained to | stare.
 If he had been sober he would have resumed his course with a shrug of | the shoulders. But he was not sober | There was a swelling within him. | Reason was gone, and only instinct remained. But the eyes of instinct | are far surer than the eyes of reason. | He moved closed with a shambIing 1 step. He leaned over his sister.
 Its Jaci"
 He burst into Homeric laughter. Ben Craig rose slowly, a dangerous man and known man in the noun Even through the rnists of "red-eye," Harry During sobered a little under the crushing pressure Of the hand which fell on his should CTS; He pointed, grinning for sym pathy.
 "Look!' he said, "Ain't it funny? That's my sister. That's Jac!"
 Gro Be Continued Tomorrow Copyright 1922-Thompson Feature
 SerVice.)