Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 March 1909 — The Round-Up A "Romance of Arizona [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Round-Up A "Romance of Arizona

Novelized from Edmund Day's Melodrama

By JOHN MURRAY and MILLS MILLER

SYNOPSIS. Chapter I—Returning with gold from the mines to an Arizona ranch to claim Echo Allen, his promised bride, Dick Lane is attacked by Apaches led by Buck McKee, a renegade. After spending six months in a hospital Lane writes to hlB friend Jack Payson, owner of the Sweetwater ranch, to tell Echo he is coming home. He tells Payson he has $3,000 to pay a mortgage placed by Jack on his ranch to help him. ll—Colonel Jim Allen, owner of the Bar One ranch, is father of Echo and father by adoption of Polly Hope, Dick and Bad Lane. Polly and Bud are sweethearts. In Dick’s absence Echo falls in love with Jack, realizing that her love for Dick was merely friendship. Dick is believed to be dead, owing to the return of McKee with a lying story. Bud “chums” with McKee despite the warnings of Slim Hoover, the fat and popular sheriff. Echo and Jack become engaged. 111. — Echo declares to Jack after the latter suppresses Dick’s letter, fearing to lose her, that she will be true to her promise to Dick if he returns. Bud quarrels with Jack about Echo, the boy championing his absent brother’s cause. IV—Aided by Buid, McKee murders Terrill, the station agent, stealing from him $3,000 of county money. McKee suggests to Bud that Dick may still be living. V—The boys gather at the Allen ranch for the wedding of Echo and Jack. VI and Vll—McKee plans to to throw suspicion of Terrill’s murder on Jack, and he and Bud go/ to the Allens’ for the wedding. Mckee raises a disturbance and is put out. VIII— All ready for the wedding. IX— Dick turns up at the Allens’ Just as his sweetheart is married to Jack. Only Allen and Jack see him. Jack is tempted to shoot his friend, who pays the $3,000 to him and returns to the desert. X—The cowpunchers send for a piano as a surprise for Echo, now married to Jack. CHAPTER XI. VS Echo galloped across the prairie in the glorious morning air / \ the sunshine, the lowing of k the cattle on the hills and the songs of the birds in the trees * along the Sweetwater bad banished all depressing thoughts, and her mind dwelt on her love for Jack and (he pleasantness of the lines In which her life bad fallen. Only one small cloud had appeared on the horizon. Jack had not shared with her his confidences In the business of the ranch. He told her he did not want to worry her with such cares. True, there were times when he was deeply abstracted, but In her presence his moroseness vanished quickly. Carefully as he had tried to hide his secret, she bad, with a woman’s intuition, seen beneath the surface of things and realized that something was lacking to complete her happiness. As Echo turned toward home a song sprang to her lips. Polly spied her far down the trail. “Boys, she’s cornin’,” she shouted to the men, who were at the bunk house awaiting Mrs. Payson’s return. As they passed the corral they called to Jack and Allen to join them In the living room to prepare for the surprise for Echo. The party, quickly reassembled. “Good land,” shouted Allen, “get somethin’ to cover the pianny with!” The punchers rushed in confusion about the room in a vain Bearch. “Ain’t there a plagued thing we can cover that pianny with?” cried the demoralized Allen, renewing his appeal. Polly came to the rescue of the helpless men by plucking a Navajo blanket from the couch. Tossing one end of It to Show Low, she motioned to him to help hold it up before the instrument like a curtain. “Stand in front of it, everybody,” ordered Mrs. Allen, who had left her cake baking and hurried in from the kitchen. "Polly, spread your skirts—you, too, Jim.” Allen ran in front of the piano, holding out an Imaginary dress in imitation of Polly. “Which I ain’t got none,” he cried. Parenthesis Jumped In front of the piano stool, trying vaihly to hide it with his legs. “Parenthesis, put your legs together,” Mrs. Allen cried. “I can’t, ma’am,” walled the unfortunate puncher. He fell on his knees before the stool, spreading out his waistcoat for a screen. Mrs. Allen helpdd him out with her skirts. “Steady, everybody!” shouted Jack. “Here she is!” yelled Sagebrush as the door opened and the astonished Echo faced those she loved and liked. Echo made a pretty picture framed in the doorway. She wore her riding habit of olive green, from the hem of which peeped her soft boots. Her hat, broad, picturesque, typical of the southwest, had slipped backward, forming a background for her pretty face. An amused smile played about the corners of her mouth. “Well, -what is it?” she smiled Inquiringly. The group looked at her sheepishly. No one ventured to answer her question. “What’s the matter?" she resumed. “You’re herded up like a bunch of cows In a norther.” Sagebrush began gravely to explain,.

Re got only as Tar as ‘"Tills here 'bein’ a birthday” when Echo Interrupted Urn: “Ohl Then It’s a birthday party?" Once stopped, Sagebrush could not get started again. He cleared his throat with more emphasis than politeness. Striking the attitude of an orator, with one hand upraised and the other on his hip, be hemmed and hawed until beads of perspiration, trickled from his temples. Again he nerved himself for the ordeaL “Mebbe,” he gasped. Then he opened and closed his mouth, froglike, several times, taking long, gulping breaths. At text, looking helplessly about him, he flgjmted, “Oh, shucks, you tell her, Jackipne pushed him toward Echo. Jack rested his hand on the table add began, “We’ve $ surprise for yoo—that is, the boys have”— “What Is It?” asked Echo eagerly. “You’ve got to call it blind,” broke In Sagebrush. “Guess it,” cried Fresno. “A pony cart,” hazarded Echo. “Shucks, nor said Show Low at the idea of presenting Echo with anything on wheels. Echo then guessed, “Sewing machine.” Sagebrush encouraged her. “That’s somethin’ like It. Go on, go on.” “Well, then. It’s a”— Sagebrush grew more excited. Hs raised and lowered himself on his toes, backing toward the piano. “Go it; you’re gettin’ there,” he shouted. “It’s a” k — Again she hesitated, to be helped on by Sagebrush with the assurance: “She’ll do it Fire away. It's a”— “Go on* Sagebrush In Ms enthusiasm backed too far Into the blanket screen. His spurs became entangled. To save himself from a fall he threw out his hand behind Mm. They struck the polished cover of the Instrument slid off, and Sagebrush sat down on the keys with an unmistakable crash. “A piano!” cried Echo exultantly. “Who done that?” demanded Show Low angrily. Parenthesis from his place on the floor looked at the mischief maker in disgust “Sagebrush r he shouted. “Givin’ the hull thing away,” snarled Fresno. Show Low could contain himself no longer. Going up to Sagebrush, he shook his fist In Ms face, saying: “You’re the limit You ought to be herdin’ sheep.” The victim of the accident humbly replied, “I couldn’t help it” Mrs. Allen smoothed out the differences by declaring: “What’s the difference? She wouldn’t have guessed, not in a million years. Stand away an’ let her see it” Fresno swept them all aside with the blanket “Oh, isn’t it beautiful-beautiful r cried Echo. j “Who—what—where”— she stammered, glancing from one to the other, her eyes finally resting on Jack. “Not guilty!” he cried. “You’ll have to thank the boys for this.” With happy tears welling up eyes, Echo said: “I do thank them. I do, I do. I can’t tell how delighted I am. I can’t say how much this means to me. Oh, I thank you! I say It once, but I feel It a thousand times.” She seized each of the boys by the hand and shook it heartily. “Would you like to have another selection?” asked Fresno, relieving the tension of the situation. “Nor’ shouted the punchers unanimously. Fresno looked very much crestfallen since he considered that be had made a deep Impression fay his first effort

"Mrs. I’ayson’s goln’ to tut us out a tune,” announced Sagebrush. Echo seated herself at the piano. Jack' leaned against the Instrument, gazing fondly Into her eyes as she raised her face, radiant with happl< ness. Allen had taken possession qf

the best rocking chair. Mrs- Allen sat at the table, and the boys ranged themselves about the room. Their faces reflected gratification. They watched Echo expectantly. Echo played the opening bars of “The Old Folks at Home.” Before she sang Fresno, holding up his right Index finger, remarked to no one in particular, “I washed that finger.” The singing deeply affected her little audience. Echo had a sweet, natural voice. She threw her whole soul Into the old ballad. She was so happy she felt like singing; not lively airs, but songs about home. Her new home had become so dear to her at that moment Mrs. Allen, as usual, began to cry. Polly soon followed her example. There were tears even In the eyes of some of the punchers, although they’' blinked vigorously to keep them back. When she repeated the chorus Sagebrush said to Fresno, “Ain’t that great?” That worthy, however, with the JealovAy of an artist and to hide his own deeply moved sensibilities, replied, “That ain’t so much." Jack had become completely absorbed in the music. He and Echo webs oblivious to surroundings. His arm had slipped about his wife’s waist, and she gazed fondly Into his face. Sagebrush was the first to notice their attitude. On his calling the attention Of the boys to their happiness these quietly tiptoed from the room. Polly signaled to Mrs. Allen and followed the boys. Josephine awoke Jim as If from a dream and led him slowly out, leaving the young couple In an earthly paradise of married love. When Echo finished she turned In surprise to find themselves alone. “Was It as bad as that?" she naively asked Jack. “Whatr “Why, they've all left us.” Jack laughed softly. “So they havu. I forgot they were here,” be said, looking fondly down at his wife. Echo began to play quietly another ballad. “I’ve always wanted a piano," she said. “You’d have found one here waiting If I’d only known It,” he chided. “You’ve given me so much already,” she murmured. “I’ve been a big expense to you.” Jack again slipped his arm about her waist and kissed her. “There isn’t any limit on my love,” he declared. “I want you to be happy”— “Don’t you think I am?” laughed Echo. “I’m the happiest woman on earth. Jack, and it’s all you. I want to be more than a wife to you. I want to be a helpmate, but you won’t let me.” A wistful expression crept over Echo’s countenance. “Who says so?” he demanded playfully, as if be would punish any man who dared make such an accusation. Echo turned on the stool and took his hand. “I know It,” she said, with emphasis. “You’ve been worried about something for days and days. Don’t tell me you haven't.” Jack opened his lips as if to contradict her. “We women learn to look beneath the surface. “What Is it, Jack?” she continued. Jack loosened his wife’s hand clasp and walked over to the table. “Nothing. What should I have to worry about?" He spoke carelessly. , .“The mortgage?" suggested Echo. “I paid that off last week,” explained Jack. Echo felt deeply hurt that this news should have been kept from her by her husband. “You did, and never told me?” she chided. “Where did you get the money?” she inquired. “Why, I” Jack halted. He could not frame an excuse at once nor invent a new lie to cover his old sin. Deeper and deeper he was getting Into the mire of deception. Echo had arisen from the seat “It was over $3,000, wasn’t It?” she insisted. “Something like that,” answered Jack noncommittally. “Well, where did you get it?” demanded his wife. “An old debt—a friend of mine—l loaned him the money a long time ago, and he paid it back—that’s all.” Jack took a drink of water from the olla to Mde his confusion. “Who was it?” persisted Echo, “You wouldn’t know if I told you. Now, just stop talking business.” “It isn’t fair,” declared Echo. “You share ad the good things of life with me, and' I want to share some of your business worries. I want to stand my share of the bad.” Jack saw he must humor her. “When the bad comes I’ll tell you,” he assured her, patting her hand. “You stand between me and the world. You’re like a great big mountain standing guard over a little tree in the valley, keeping the cold north wind from treating It too roughly.” She sighed contentedly. “But the mountain does it aIL" Jack looked down tenderly at his little wife. Her love for Mm moved him deeply. “Not at all,” he said to her. “The little tree grows green and beautiful. It casts a welcome shade about It, and the heart of the mountain is made glad to its rocky core to know that the safety of that little tree Is in Its keeping.” Taking her In his arms, he kissed her again and again. “KUalng again!” shouted Polly from the doorway. “Say, will you two never settle down to business? Tbere’s Bud Lane an’ a bunch of others just come into the corral. Maybe they want you. Jack.” Jack excused himself. As he stepped out on the piazza he asked Polly, “Shall I send Bad in?” “Let him come in If be wants to. Pm not sendln’ for him.” Polly spitefully turned up her nose at him. Jack laughed as be closed the door.

Echo reseated herself at the piano, fingering the keys. “How are you getting on with Bud?” she asked the younger girl. “We don’t get qn a little bit,” snapped. “Bud never seems to collect much revenue, an’ we just keep trottin’ slow-like. Wish I was married an* had a home of my own.” “Aren’t you happy with fattier and mother?" Polly glanced at Echo, with a smile. “Lord, yes," she replied, “In a, way, but I’m only a poor relation! Your ma was my ma’s cousin’s cousin or somethin’ like that” Echo laughed. “Nonsense,” she retorted. “Nonsense. You’re my dear sister and the only daughter that's at the old home now.” “But I want a home of my own like this,” said Polly. “Then you’d better shake Bud and give Slim a chance.” Polly was too disgusted to answer at once. “Slim Hoover shucks! Slim doesn’t care for girls. He's afraid of ’em,” she said at length. “I like Bud with all Ms orneriness,” she declared. “Why doesn’t hs some to see you moi;e often?” “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because he’s never forgiven you for marryin’ Jack.” “Why should be mind that?" she asked, startled. “Well, you know," She answered between stitches, drawing the needlo through the cloth with angry little Jerks, “Bud he never quite believed Dick was dead.” (To be Continued)

“I want you to be happy."