Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1924-04-18
The dude
Wrangler
YCaroline Lockhart
Copyright, Doubleday, Page & Co.
Copyright, Doubleday, Page & Co.
Continued from previous Issue)


The animal seemed to be conscious
only of it's fleeing victim. When she
ran, her flight appeared to excite and
enrage it further, for it bawled with
anger. The fluttering petticoats were
a challenge, and the steer was bent
on reaching and destroying the
strang object with the weapons ma
ture had given it. 1t was accustomed
to horsemen and had no fear of them,
but it saw menace in the little old
woman screaming just ahead, so it ig.
nored Candy and Wallie, and they
could not swerve it.
Helene wrung her hands in fren-
zy as she watched their futile efforts.
Wallie always carried rope on his
saddle, why didn't he use it? Was he
afraid?
She cried out sharply as Aunt Liz
zie stumbled and pitched headlong.
Between exhaustion and terror that
paralyzed her she was unable to get
up, though she tried. The steer, fam
ing eyed, was not less than so yards
from her.
Candy in advance of Wallie was a
little ahead Of the steer, Shaping at it
with his bridle-reins. Wallie behind
had been crowding its shoulder. But
nothing could divert it from it's pur-
pose.
Helene was about to turn her head
away when she saw Wallie lay the
reins on his horses neck and lean
from the saddle.
His purpose flashed through Hell
ene's mind instantly. Then she cried
aloud-incredulously:
He's going to try THAT" And
added in frightened whisper. "He
can't do it! He can never do it,"
Wallie's horse, which had been run
ming at the steers shoulder, missed
his hand on the reins and Jagged a
little, so that the distance between
them was such as to make what he
meant to attempt seemingly impossi-
BILE For a second he rode with his
arm outstretched as if gauging the
distance, then Helene grew rigid as
she saw him leave the saddle.
With his teeth grinding, Wallie
fought it in desperation, trying to give
the twist that drops the animal. Its
breath in his face, the froth from it's
mouth blinded him, but still he chung
while it threw him this and that way.
He himself never knew where his
strength came from. Suddenly the
steer fell heavily and the two lay
painting together.
Helene drew the back of her hand
across her eyes and brushed away the
tears that blurred her vision, while a
lump rose in her throat too big to
swallow. Gentle Annie" of The Co.
lonial veranda, erstwhile authority on
Battenburg and sweaters, had accom-
plished the most reckless of the dare
devil feats of the cow-country-heh had
"bull-dogged' steer from horseback.
Business which had to do with the
cache they had lifted from Tucker de-
tanned Pinkey in town longer than ex-
pected. He returned in the night and
did not get up when the triangle jan
gled for breakfast. In fact, it was
we'll into the forenoon when he ap-
peared, only to learn that Miss Eye
ster had gone off with old Mr.. Pen
rose to look at an eagles nest
"What did he do that fort" Pinkey
demanded Of Wallie.
II presume he wanted her com
pany," Wallie replied, composedly, en-
tertained by the ferocity of Pinkey's
expression.
lis he dude or is he duder that
he has to go guidin' people to see
sights they prob'ly don't want to look
att"
"She seemed willing enough to go"
Wallie answered.
Pinkey sneered
"Mebbe I'd better git me blue suit
with brass buttons and stand around
and open gates and unsaddle fer 'em. .
Wallie regarded his partner calmly.
"Pinkey, you're jealous"
Jealous! Me jealous of an old Me-
thuselah that don't know enough to
make mark in the road?"
Pinkey stamped off to the bunk.
house and slammed the door behind
him.
where's Pinkey?" The question
was general when it was observed
that his chair was vacant at dinner.
still reposing, 1 imagine" Wallie
answered, humorously.
Mrs Budlong commented:
"a night ride like that must be very
fatiguing.
"Oh, very" Wallie winked at him
self figuratively, thinking that the 9!
per cent alcoholic content Of one O.
Mr.. fuckers bottles undoubtedly &C
counted for his WEAKNESS.
Perhaps one of us had better awak
en- him." Miss Eyester suggested. "Ht
should eat something"
EFFORT Hort HOri" Mr.. Kick.