The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1922-01-19
71171l5
"a School I eacherl
From Ohio
BY CALVIN HENDRICKS

4 "a
Paul Muir found Western life ex-
actly as he had expected to find it.
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 Falling
Brook, to seek amusement.
! The hotel was crowded on this par
ttcular evening and the bartender
tersely explained that the; cowboys
were in town and that a dance was
to be held. {:
Bessie looked up at Paul with a
flicker Of amusement and then went
on polishing the glasses.
II suppose you're looking forward
to good time, Miss Bessie" hazarded
Paul.
Il always enjoy myself" said
Bessie. @a1fa& ~
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. F-.< ~
MAY I have the pleasure of dance
with you?" he asked.
II 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 Paul's heart.
He led her back to her char and
took seat beside her. He noticed
then that the chair on either side was
empty. = '.-...
"Why won't they dance with you?"
he asked
| Bessie's eyes grew wide with aston
ishment. ''You don't knoW?'' she
stammered. "oh, thought yop were
so brave" - .-. r..
"But tell me,' he pleaded.
ASK Brown said Bessie, bluntiy-
Brown was the hotelkeeper. . -
Young felles,' said Brown, laying
/ his hand heavily on Pauls shoulder, i
admire your grit-if you knew what
you was doing. Clancy's in town and
he's as like as not to come to the
! dancer -. T. NJ. ..%.... .. y
II don't know anything about Clan
!! cy," said Paul. s..:~.. =.
| II guessed you didn't" answered
Brown. Now listen while I tell you,
and then clear out. Miss Bessie is
Clancys. girl, and he's the best shot
in Arizona. If he knew any man had
danced with her or spoken to her, ex-
cept in the most Urinary way, he'd
spit him as I'd spit a mad dog"
Thanks" said Paul brusquely, and
went back to Bessie -
II know now" he, said Il hear. Mr..
Clancy's in town and that he: might
object to my dancing with you. May
have another dance, Miss Bessie?"
The girl rose and something in her
eyes answered the plea in his. The
music started and they went whirling
over the polished floor.
| 1ucu 1lllO Iuc AOOM IACAC SIAONC q
little man. In his belt he wore two
revolvers. ~...,,<>.. ......, --
"Hello, Brown" he said with a ia
miliar 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 circled
round and round. The outlaw seemed
not to notice him. It was rot unit
the dance was ended that he caught
sight of Bessie. .s-- -
"Git out! he said to Paul, ant
pulled the girl toward him. Paul's ifs
shot out and the man dropped at hi!
feet. - ..-. F.
, The room became a struggling pan
demonium. Paul pulled Bessie through
the surging crowd. got her to the door
and led her to where his horse stoo(
. tethered. No one was following them
4 but inside the dance hall pandemo
still held sway. Paul swung his part
ner into the saddle. Then he mOunte,
behind her and in moment they wer
cantering across the plains under tn
= starlight. He drew her into his arms
Bessie" he said, i've only see1
you five times, but I've counted eac]
;, one. I love you, dear. am goin
= = to take you away with me. I've wol
you from Clancy"
ooh -Clancy!' she said, with
, 1]laugh. II never saw Clancy In my lif
= before" -.
% "But you were engaged to him." sal
Paul. ---..... X
20 Bessie crept closer to him. *.Let N
y tell you about that" she said. 'sYio
y don't know anything about me, but 20
~ trust me and believe in me. I was
. school teacher in Ohio. I had to com
II West for my health. I soon foun
- that Western men are just as brav
- and chivalrous as in the East. Ever!
h body wanted to marry me. saw tha
- 1 would have to leave unless I coul
n discover some way of stopping thes
!, attentions.
"Then Clancy began to be notoriou
r. and I thought of inventing that stos
IS about his being my lover. I neve
70 saw him in my life before tonigh
20 But it worked like charm. The1
re- wasn't man among them dared
RI speak to me, except in civil way, {
n. to dance with me until you came
10 John laughed and, bending over he
kissed her. - g.. --.