The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-10-12

either pay you for the Sod gram
or withdraw the offer and work /
out some way with the customers
As for your horse. that. too. be
longs TO YOU That Is. unless yol
wish to make a gift Of the ANNA
10 Bella. but Il ! we're you Id no
do that unless you kept q hattie
on the whole matter. Finally. sir
am going to beg your pardon.
beg your most humble pardon
Dent I've seen through q lot thes.
last few DAYS. and I've done som,
thinking as went along. Tv'
made few resolutions"
Hunter looked at the man. n,
was doing a better job than Hunter
had dreamed. For instance -
I've decided to ease up on tn,
pill business and work at IN,
daddy job a little better. To my
mind you have been a true sport
/ %@1NNAs ASa We tfGH AOIhcQ NJ
my job, trying to rear my children
as best you can; and l have &c
take my hat off to you in your
determination to protect Junior
You're a better man than am,
sir"
Hunter was red with both pleas
ure and embarrassment. Triumph
in the face of true sportsmanship
is never the thing one dreams of
in burning rage and desire for re-
venge.
He and Ballard shook hands.
and the man went and got into his
waiting limousine and was whisked
back to town.
Hunter went slowly to the office.
There he telephoned Squire Doo-
little. Il have a little chore for
you, Judge" he said. you'll be
there in about 80 minutes Okay."
He hung up. went down. and backed
out his car. He hunted around for
Red. He found her on the front
porch. Hello" he grinned. How
about a ride ?"
you taking me for a ride ?"
Something of the sort. Wait
here till l bring my car"
Mines right out here. How
about just going with me ?"
you might not want to 90
where I'm going
where's that ?"
"Doolittle's store"
Sure" she laughed. Il was go
ing there, too"
They went and got into her car
and soon they were going along a
gently rolling country road through
an azure day.
Am riding FREELY in the horse
show. Hunter?"
"Tll tell you yes or no in about
Is minutes"
She gave him a questioning look.
and then laughed with odd merri-
ment Then 1t will be yes. whst1l
you wsger?"
Let me see" he unused. What
do ! have TO put on the barrel
head7"t
YOURSELF"
"Okay. Ill bet me against you"
They came TO the little rustic
store. Squire Doolittle. with one
suspender. sat on the porch wait
ing. Red and Hunter got out and
ran up the steps.
well, Judge" Hunter said.
here we are"
Yes" Red laughed. here we
really are, Judge"
Squire Doolittle laughed the
mellow laugh of an old man who
still remembers the habits of the
young heart. He looked from one
to the other of them.
"W-well. now. folks" he drawled.
I've got a dockymint in one Of
my hip pockets. Lemme see now"
He took out large envelope from
his night pocket. This here Is a
wedding license what I bought
just as you directed me TO. Hunter.
It's a fust rate license and it'll do
the job"
He reached into his other pocket
and brought out another envelope.
Now he grinned at Bella Ballard.
Miss Red, l done just exactly
what I told you I'd do. went 10
the cot house & other day. when
you said you was laying bet, and
brought this pair Of licenses TO
marry you by. They seem TO be
fust class prime marriage licenses.
One Is writ out to Bella Ballard
and Hunter Dent, and the other is
writ out TO Hunter Dent and Bella
Ballard. Whichever one ! use 10
marry you two by. the other loses
his barrelhead. Which shall 1t
be ,"
Red looked at Hunter. Hunter
looked at Red.
"Ahl" they both said at the same
time.
You'll have to get Sam. or Mrs
DooHttle 10 witness" Hunter sug-
gested.
'Iu 20 20 the house and fetch
the little lady"
Squire Doolittle moved off 10 get
his 300-pound wife. Hunter and
Red collapsed into each others
arms.
i win" Hunter said.
NO, win," Red half-lsughed
and haf-wept-
They stood = moment there IA
the bland afternoon ana kissed
Then Squire and Mrs. Doolittle
came. In a few moments Red said,
7 do" and Hunter Dent said. j
f