Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-11-11

the same lures that caught Scotty. Cow
town Saloons. the burning thirst fol-
lowed by mounting hilarity; dance halls
steamy with body heat n reeking of
cheap perfume; the inside Of the towns
cooler" when, blazing with high pow
cred whisky, he had potvaliantly tried
to wreck some "madame's" furniture:
the road to the ranch at last, broke, sick,
self-pitying.
Sure, he'd been a wild onel Wise, too.
Mattresses had admired his bold eyes,
Dance hall girls had tried to trap him
into marriage. Farmers daughters-the
good. sweet, careful ones-had wept over
the necessity OF sending him on his way,
Once he had fed from a shotgun in the
hands OF a too reckless girls father. But
all that was In the dimming past. Pom
dering, not on Scotty, but on himself. he
said aloud.
"Doin's like that don't git you moth
in'l"
'They sure DON'T" Verne agreed.
1t was Just about ten years ago, Hick-
ey's thoughts continued the theme, that
he'd given up the devil. On the day that
he'd run smack into Janet Cooper, be-
hind the railing Of the cattle company's
office In Tanning; smiling, cool eyed
young n as fresh as a daisy In May
coppery hair catching the sun through 6
west window, shirtwaist immaculate, 6
cowbay hat, scarf banded, waiting on the
desk as she covered her typewriter.
Coin ridin'?" he a challenged.
Eyes. Were you looking for some one?'
II was lookin' for Bates, but / XIII
walt for him till tomorrow" He hac
felt the thinkle Of Ice in her voice, anc
he liked the tonic chill.
You're Mr.. Hickey?" and at his nod
Mr.. Bates left word he'd meet you al
the De Soto-whatever that it," Sht
seemed to dismiss him with her smile
I'D ruther go ridin' with you"
"Ohl" She settled the hat on he
head, and coming to the swing gate IL
the railing waited for him to step aside
rs that sol"
IT sure wouldl" But he had stooc
aside, nor dared to follow as she walked
out, slim and 1.-THE and firm Of carriage
to noun her pony at the sidewalk
edge.
She had conquered hin in those tive
minutes. Afterwards, when they haC
had the conventional introduction Jane
insisted on, he was by turns humble ant
violent, but steadfast in his wooing
Janet learned much Of his history dur
ing the humble moods, supplemented
by casual talk with company cowboys
and found 1t picturesque and appealing
She thereupon proceeded to wake tn
devil in Joe by fits Of scorn and dis
approval, alternating with tantalizinI
spells of coquetry n amused admira
ton. One day. hopeless. desperate, h
had flared.
you red headed cross between al
icicle an a Wildcat I'll be damned Il
hell and back again If I ever ask you t.
go out with me again"
She gave him q smile, half ruefUl
wholly enchanting. Then maybe I'll as
you, joe" She looked contritely into hi
stormy black eyes, learned slightly to
ward him. In his arms. giving kiss TO
fierce kiss, she whispered: I've dreame,
OF this-all my lifel Joe. sweetheart,
love you" Then, incoherently: 'Th
Oar
ling Joe, I want to be with you Away,
in the beloved outdoors" Her surrende
was sweet, thrilling. unconditional.
Joe took her to the company's Mort
Pasture camp house, the three room DO
In the midst OF q twenty thousand acr
plain, Immediately after their marriage
She had kept the cliff sheltered nest i'm
maculate, a spot OF pleasantness notabl
among riders for q hundred miles arounC
She had kept herself sweet, alluring, fol
lowed through Chicago mail order cata
logs the latest thing in fashion, bobbin
her coppery hair when bobbing becam
the rage. Tts cooking and choring. tn
rising before dawn, the last small task
performed long after dark. the hardship
OF ranch life she took with q cheerfl
indifference marvellous to Joe Her pat
sion was the outdoor work Of the me
who handled the cattle. On a gent
horse. n breeches. boots. flannel shii
and the cherished two gallon hat Oh