The Dolores star., 1924-07-25

thef and when doubts assailed her Zen
found In that fact y very considerable
comfort. Y.D. was q shrewd man;
a man who seldom guessed wrong. Zen
did not admit that she was allowing
her father to choose a husband for
her. but the fact that her father con-
CURED In the choice strengthened her
In 1t. Transley had in him qualities
which would win not only wealth, but
distinction. and she would share in the
laurels. She told herself that 1t was
a delightful outlook: that she was a
very happy girl indeed-and Won
dered why she was not happier!
Particularly she laid it upon herself
that she must now. finally, dismiss
Dennison Grant from her mind 1t was
absurd to suppose that she cared more
for Grant than she did for Transley.
The two men were so different; 1t was
impossible to make comparisons. They
occupied quite different spheres in her
regard. To he sure. Grant was very
likeable man. but he was not eligible
as husband, and she could not marry
two, In any case. Zen entertained no
girlfsh delusions about there being
only one man in the world. On the
contrary, she was convinced that there
were very many men in the world, and,
among the better types. there was.
perhaps, not so much to choose be-
tween them. Grant would undoubted-
ly be good husband within his
means; so would Transley, and his.
means were greater. The blue-prints
of the new house in town had not been
without their effect. 1t was n differ
ent prospect from being a foreman's
wife on n ranch. Her father would
never hear of 1t. =.
So she busted herself with prepara-
tions for the great event, and what
preparations they were! Zen" her
father had said, "for once the lid is
off. Go the llmit." She took him mt
his word. There were many trips to
town. and activities about the old
ranch buildings such as they had never
known since Jessie Wilson came to
finish Y.D.s up-bringing, nor even
then. The good word spread through
out the foothill country and down over
the prairies. and many lazy cloud of
dust lay along the November hillsides
as the women folk of neighboring
ranches came to pay their respects
and crafty their curiosity. Zen had
| treasures to show which sent them
home with new standards of extrava-
| gance.
Y.D. had not thought he could be-
| come so worked up over simple mat
t.,- nv.
the edge of memory. but even after
making allowances he could not recall
| that his marriage to Jessie Wilson had
been such an event in his life as this
| 1t did not at least reflect so much
| glory upon him personally. He basked
In the reflected glow of his daughters
beauty and popularity as happily as
the big cat lying on the sunny side Of
the bunk-house. He found all sorts Of
excuses for invading where his pres
ence was little wanted while Zen's
finery was being displayed for admira-
tion. Y.D. always pretended that such
invaslons were quite accidental and
affected fine Indifference to ALI this
"women's fuss an feathers" but his
affectations deceived at least none Of
the older visitors.
As the great day approached Y.D.'s
wife shot bomb-shell at him. "What
do you propose to wear for Zen's wed.
ding?" she demanded.
whats the matter with the suit ]
go to town in"
"Y.D.." said his wife, kindly, there
are certain little touches which you
overlook. Your town suit Is all right
for selling steers, although 1 won't say
that 1t hasn't outlived its prime even
for that. To attend Zen's wedding 1t
is-hardly the thing"
ITS been a good suit" he protest
ed. ut is
1T has. 1t is also venerable suit
But really. Y.D., 1t will not do for this
occasion. You must get yourself new
suit, and white shirt"
"What do l want with a white
shirt?'
"It has to be-" his wife insisted
you'll have to deck yourself out in a
new suit and white shirt and collar"
Y.D. stamped around the room, and
III u ihohhShl siippeu Jul. All looI
nonsense" he contided to himself, on
| his way to the bunk-house. Its all
right for Zen to have good clothes
| didn't tell her to go the limit ?-but
| as for me. t amt Inc that's gettin
married, is 1t? Standn' up before all
them COW punchers In a white shirt y
! The bitterness of such disgrace cut
| the old rancher no less keenly than
| the physical discomfort which he fore
cast for himself, yet he put his own
desires sufficiently to one side to buy
suit of clothes, and white shirt and
collar. when he was next In town.
1t must not be supposed that Y.D
admitted to the salesman that he per.
sonally was descending to any such
garb.
(To BE CoNTINUED.)