The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-11-16
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there was still an hour to spare be.
fore the light would be sufficient to
run Miles Canon, he lit his pipe and
strolled up to the village. The
ground was now white, for consid-
cradle snow had fallen during the
night: the day promised to be ex-
tremely short and uncomfortable.
'Poleon, however, was impervious
to weather Of any sort; his good
hunor was not dampened in the
least.
The fellow held the girl for an
instant and helped her to regain her
equilibrium, exclaiTning. with a
laugh: Say! What's the matter
with you. sister! Can't you see
where you're going?' When Rou-
letta made no response the man
continued in an even friendlier tone,
We'll, can see; my eyesights
good, and it tells me you're about
the best-looking dame I've run into
tonight" Still laughing, he bent his
head as if to catch the girls answer
Eth? ! don't get you. Who d'you
say you're looking for?"
'Poleon was frankly puzzled. He
resented this mans tone Of easy ia
miliarity and, about to interfere, he
was restrained by Rouletta's appar.
ent indifference. What allied the
girl? 1t was too dark to make out
her face, but her voice, oddly
changed and unnatural, gave him
cause for wonderment. Could it be
-'Poleon's hali-formed question
was answered by the stranger who
cried, in mock reproach: Naughty
Naughty! You've had a little too
much, that's what's the matter with
you. Why. you need q guardeen.'
Taking Rouletta by the shoulders, the
speaker turned her about so that the
dim half-light that filtered through
the canvas wall Of the tent saloon
shone full upon her face.
'Poleon saw now that the girl was
indeed not herself; there was a
childish, vacuous expression upon
her face; she appeared to be dared
and to comprehend little OF what
the man was saying. This was
proved by her blank acceptance OF
his next insinuating words: "Sav,
it's lucky | stumbled on to you. |
been up all night and so have YOU.
Spose we get better acquainted.
What?" .-.
Rouletta offered no objection ia
this proposal; the fellow slipped an
arm about her and led her away.
meanwhile pouring confidential
murmur into her ear. They had
proceeded but few steps when
'Poleon Doret strobe out of the
gloom and laid a heavy hand upon
the man.
"My fried" he demanded.
brus9uely, "were you takin' dis
"Eh?" The fellow wheeled sharp
". Whats the idea? What is she
"Shc amt not'in' to me. But I
NO good"
Rouletta spoke intelligibly for the
f'rs' time: I've no place to go--no
place to sleep. I'm very-tired."
There you've got it," the Il rl's
selt-appointed protector grinned.
We'll, ! happen to have room for
her in my tent" As Doret's flu
gers sank deeper into his flesh tho
mans anger rose; he undertook to
shake off the unwclcome grasp.
gu leggo! You mind your own
business"
"Dis goin' be my biznesse," 'Po-
leon announced. "Dere's somct'i ing
fonny bout dis"
Don't get funny with me. got
as much right to her as you have"
'Poleon jerkcd the man of his
feet. then flung him aside rs if he
were unclean. His voice was hoarse
with disgust when he cried:
Get out! Beat it! BY Gar! You
alma fit for touch decent gal. You
spik wit her again, l. tear you in
two piece!"
Turning to Rouletta he said:
Man selie, you lookin' for your
Miss Kirby was clasping and I'm.
clasping her fingers, her face was
strained, her response came in q
nutter so low that 'Roleon barely
caught it:
""Danny's gone gone Dad,
he's No use fighting it, It's. the
drink-and there's nothing l can
do" ~
1t was 'Poieon's turn to take the
girl''by the shoulders and wheel her
about for better look at her. face.
A moment later he led her back into
the saloon. She was so oddly ODE.
dent, 50 docilc, SO unquestionsn4,
that he realized something was
greatly amiss. He laid his hand
against her flushed cheek aud fouhd
i to be burning hot, whereupon lie
hastily consulted the nearest by
stsnders. They agreed with him
that the girl was indeed iH-mose
than that, she was half dejirious.
"Sacre! Watts She dom roun'
saloon lax dis?" he indignantly de-
n,anded. "How come she's gettin'
up :diffore daylight, eh?" #
1t was the" bartender who made
plain the facts: She amt been 10
bed at Ill, Frenchy. She's. been up
all night. ridin' herd on old Sam
Kirby. He's drinlsin', understand?
He tried to get some place for her
to stay, along about midnight, bnt
there wasn't any. She's been settin'
there alongside of<the stove for the
last few hours and / been sort Of
keepin' an eye On her TOR Sans
a1ke.v
Deret breatl,ed an oath. Oats
nice fader she's gotl i wish ! let
i'm drown"
"Oh, he amt exactly to blame.
He's on q bender-like to Of killed
a Teller in here. >Somebody'd ought
to. take careof this siritill he sobers
ap." ILL.,. /.