The Adair County news., 1922-02-28

by stood before her tOngue-tied, unable
to find words of greeting, painfully
conscious of his own 'awkwardness.
The embarrassment, however, was but
for the instant, for the preacher had
been waiting his entrance, eager to
begin the ceremony.
What occurred during the next few
moments was never wholly clear In I
Shelby's mind. He did mechanically
whatever he was told, but without
comprehension. He remembered walk
ing between rows Of curious faces, oc-
casionally recognizing a familiar
countenance, clear across that crowded
parlor to the further wall, which
seemed to be decorated profusely with
sprays Of evergreen. He seemed to
recall that the girl Joined him, stand
ing at his left, and that she had ad-
vanced to his side guided by Dan Nc
Carthy. 1t was all vague, misty, un-
certain, and the next moment all he
saw was the fieshy figure Of the Buff
falo Gap preacher standing there i'm
mediately before him, his hands up
lifted and his sOnOrOus voice uttering
words that sounded like a prayer.
Then Dan came forward again and
he felt her hand resting in his, real
izing how soft and small it was He
remembered a question was asked him
and he answered ives" and then he
seemed to hear her whisper a similar
response. The preacher said some
thing, using some strange words, and
turning once to face the silent crowd
pressing close In upon them; then he
lifted his hands solemnly and Shelby
caught the sentence, 81 pronounce you
husband and wife and whom God
hath Joined together, let no man put
asunder."
There was an explosion Of breath,
a faint clapping Of hands, an instant
buzz of tongues. He felt that he must
have shaken hands with a thousand
people; was pushed here and there
by the efforts made to reach him and
finally, bewildered, his mind in
whirl, found himself once more out
in the hall, Obsessed with a desire to
escape. He possessed no idea as to
what had become OF the girl; no doubt
she was somewhere back there In the
crush, but he. at least. was free, and
would wait for her to Join him out
side.
He stood there alone, staring down
at the team of broncos and the heavily
laden blackboard uncomprehendingly
Yet slowly 1t all came back and his
mind began to arouse from blank
stupor. His attention was attracted
by the approach Of horseman trot-
ing steadily up the deserted street to-
ward the hotel. The rider was a cav
airy soldier In uniform, powdered
with dust, his horse showing evidences
Of hard travel.
Shelby watched his coming curious
ly, his memory still lingering upon the
scene within. The man drew up at
the hotel, dropped his rein over the
horses head, swung stifiy to the
ground and advanced up the steps
He glanced aside at Shelby's motion.
less figure, took a step toward the
door and then wheeled suddenly.
"Say, amt your name ShelbyT'
The dazed bridegroom turned and
looked into the face confronting him
his mind swapping back into Quicl
recognition.
Sure. Well, thunder, you're Snau
messy of the Sixth. Whatre you do
ing here"
The TWO clasped hands firmly.
Thought I knew you, Tom, when
] first came up the steps, but wasn't
quite sure till got a side view. Must
be six years since you left US, amt iti
What am doing? Oh, they've showed
us up here from Arizona and I've been
up at the Reservation watchin' 'em
ghOst-dance an am headin' now for
Collins to tell the old man the news
Some fun goin' to be pulled off pres
entity"
"YOu mean the Sioux are goin' on
rampage ag'in?"
Sure thing, unless l miss my guess
an ] reckon ! ought to know Injuns
by this time. It'll either come this
fall or next spring. I figure they'll
| never hold in over winter. OF Sittin
Bull has got the game in his hands
an you know that OF devil, l reckon
81 have reason to. Any troops uI
there?"
mo; the Injun agent don't believe
there's goin' to be any trouble; says
it's just a few young bucks who are
raisin' HI. He don't know what is
goin' On. But I been among 'em an
the whole outfit is blood-mad. I seer
two of their ghOst-dances myself bach
in the hills an 1 tell you they NEAR
business. You livin' here nowr
mo, out on the Cottonwood"
"What-north? Say, old man, tha
amt goin' to be no healthy place fel
a white, If those devils break loose
they'll make that country sure. Go
much of an outfitY'
"a bunch of cattle an two herders.
mot enough to put up fight. Well
II I was you, Tom, I'd run those cow
over into the Bad Lands an lie gu
there awhile. Well get the Injuns, O
course; but there is bound to be som
KILN first, unless I'm crazy. I've go
to go in and get something to eat"
He started to turn away, but Shelb,
ha1