The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-11-22

the Occasion.
grace. No speaker could have aske
a better audience. He had been we
heralded and expectation was at keel
est pitch. And no speaker ever bette
improved his opportunity. The speec
ended while the audience was sti
hungry to hear more-a trick tha
many a less brilliant speaker migt
well copy. He turned back to tn
table and raised his hand. The tw
long rows of youngsters stood in anvil
wardly decorous expectancy. The 10y
tones of the solemn grace fell softl
impressive; the minister resumed hi
seat; a deep breath swept down tn
two rows of hungry urchins and-the
festival was on.
A good length Of the candles in the
windows had burned away when Jack
sauntering aimlessly in the crowd
found himself, for the first time that
evening, face to face with Texie, where
she leaned over Mrs. Mason's chair.
The girl looked up and smiled. He
was raking over his scant stock OF
words for one that would fit the occa-
sion-words being about the hardest
| things he had to reckon with-when
the young preacher, suave and affable,
by odds the most popular man in the
house, Joined the group.
Through the mind of Jack Warhope
flashed a comparison between the
preacher and himself. The compari-
son showed dead against him. For the
first time in his life he was half
ashamed of his ungainly clothes, of
the great limbs, the massive chest and
shoulders - the "six-foot-three" of
bone and Drawn upon which the Flat
woods had exhausted its utmost mag
ination, its ultimate romance, when 1t
bestowed the title: Big Jack.
Of a truth, the comparison between
the two men could not well have been
more striking. The young preacher
was a very handsome man. The beard
and spectacles, the mass of hair fall
ing about his ears, seemed to invest
him with an air of exquisite mystery
an air that has such power to compel
the attention of women.
The young woodsman, on the other
hand, with his uncouth and ill-fitting
clothes, though far from plain, owed
whatever attractions he possessed to
his magnificent physique, a bold regu-
larity of features, and an honest, open
frankness-a mans man.
With a jerky, elaborate bow to
Jack, the young preacher turned to
Texie.
II was just hunting for you, Miss
Texie. They want you at the punch
bowl"
The girl must have known the
woodsman was about to speak to her.
His face was as easy to read as the
signs of spring. She glanced at him;
dropped her eyes; laughed-a trife
~uneasily he thought, knowing her so
well-and walked away beside the
minister.
The woodsman stood looking after
them, a queer of emptiness in
his breast-a man nursed by nature,
untaught to juggle with the hearts
emotions.
The voice of the gray-haired gentle
in the rocking chair recalled
his straying thoughts.
Aren't they a ine-looking coupler"
she was saying.
"Uh-huh.'
CAS- l look back over the years since
we came to Buckeye, 1 remember that
you and she have always been play
My dear husband SO often
used to speak of the beautiful com
panionship between you. Long associ-
alton with one so sweet and innocent
must have had a most enrolling influ-
upon you"
ut didn't hurt me none"
Dear me! but you are laconic this
evening, my lad. Do you always speak
With such Spartan brevityT
She might as well have said it In
Jack was frowning hard in an
to make out her meaning when
Ieke Pollok, officiously omnipresent,
stopped at the old lady's chair.
The woodsman was saved. He
walked away in the crowd, while Aunt
liza, a few seats away, never back
ward about airing her views, leaned
yer toward the ~postmaster's wife and,
n hoarse half-whispers, laid down her
astly positive opinion on the very sub
ect he had just escaped discussing.
"Ain't it a burnin' shame the way
'exie lets the new parsOn carry on
With 'er, an leavin' Big Jack out n
he cold!-an' him wo'th any two O.
he parsOn, the best breath e ever
She'll rue it. Mark my
,ords, Hammer Pollok, she'll u it."
Jaw, shucks, Aunt Liza, you're jist
salous FIR Big Jack, him bein' about
s. much, an Uncle Nick %a-teachin'