Evening star., 1934-01-07


neck" he ordered. "but II
you got somethin' real ladylike. Holly -
Saunders, my new hand here. nell
take that" Jim spoke slowly, but he
winked.
Red wrath surged over the morose.
clean-cut features of the tall young
stranger He downed his drink with
out a word sand strode of down the
street toward the livery stable.
"Where'd you git him. Jima"
queried Pete.
Police Court in Cheyenne. Lord.
he's sore at women He was settin' IN
a restaurant yesterday when half
shot hombre come in an gifts fresn
with q pretty girl So Holly ups an bashes
him over the head with ketchup bottle
ut sure made a mess an some of it goes. on
the girl an if she don't turn on Holly fur that
an for bein' too brutal! So the proprietor had
him arrested
Then when the Judge asks him. Did you hit
the gentleman with a ketchup bottleY Holly
ups with a real sassy, 7 didn't hit no gentle
man; hit dog SO the Judge says 10 days
But he let him of If he'd come out here to
gentle my hosses
Seems, too. that Holly was just gttin' over
bein' took fur ride by cute little trick that
got his roll an then sent him scrammtn'. So
take all, he's sure sore at women"
Pete guffawed. He won't be joinin' that
aomirn crowd that always trails your school,
rla'ams. then" he observed, "an' that reminds
me that one of the district schooldads wanted
! should tell you your new schoolma am from
the East would be here this afternoon"
Now, amt that nice!" growled Jim with
sarcasm. Me list gittin' home an here comes
another deiay!" Then he grinned. Tell you
what-IT git me a cayuse from the stable an
60 on home an leave this here lady hater to
fetch her out in the blackboard. Give him
chance to declare hisself right away"
IA /HEN Holly clattered up he was handed
w the news. well, Holly" said Jim sober
II, Il guess you're elected to tangle With women
after all Miss Lynn Lance. the new teacher.
arrives on the O'Clock this afternoon, an
cont see but what youn have to wait an fetch
her-out. III tell you how to git there"
Holly reared a dark and handsome but
belligerent head I'm vranglin no women!"
he pronounced. Take your DANCED jobi"
Now. Holly" Jim shouted. you don't want
to 60 back to Jail an lAy up with pasSel'a
lousy tramps ten days Don't worry about the
schoolma'am. We allus git homely hens. well
past broilin' age. She may squeal some at the
broncs but don't mind that"
Holly did not wish to consort with tramps
and he did wish to replenish the purse
raided by the cute little trick So when the
train pulled in he was lounging against the
station, his big hat over q surly face. A raw
boned woman with goose's nose and q hat
like . topknot descended. and his face was
almost evil as he approached her. "Hardy's
schO0lmaam?" he asked, lifting his hat.
"Yoo've made a mistake. young man." she
said. That's Jim Hardys teacher over there"
Holly whirled. One look gathered In q
slender figure. q pair Of blue eyes dancing IN
saucy face, and . glow Of reddish hair topped
by hat ike a graceful bird. Homely, huh?
Past broiling age. huh7
'Hardy's schoolma' amp" he asked CURLY,
his eyes on the suit case at her feet
"Yes. Are you Mr. HardY?" asked q lifting
voice.
mo. maam. Just q hand" Silently he
seized her suit cases and strode or leaving her
to follow with small heels clicking almost at
a run. As they passed the Saddle Horn, Pete,
summing himself outside, observed loudly to the
bunghole In . keg. MY. myi That brand
new woman hater backslid already! My!"
Holly was sure he heard giggle behind him.
At the stable he threw the bags into tie
blackboard, then climbed in and cramped tie
wheels. leaving Lynn to scramble In alone. He
gave the team their heads and tore through tne
town and out upon the prairie
II he missed thank-you- -ma'am he did not
know it. He saw small black pumps brace
themselves and small hands grope for anchor,
and heard . small voice ask plaintively, "Ycu
wouldn't turn me into just an accident would
you, Mr.. Hand?"
Il don't know the road. an got 70 get there
before dark. An my names Saunders. not
Hand"
oh. / beg your pardon. thought you said
Hand
Oh, smart, huh? He sighted another thank
you-ma am and took 1t in. The blackboard
lsaped, and then . pair Of slim arms react,,d
right out and circled his waist.
| Jolly stiffened. He wasn't having any of
I ] thati But he was slightly ashamed. So
presently he slowed down. and the little pv nps
came to rest and the small hands relaxef in