The Round-Up: A Romance of Arizona; Novelized from Edmund Day's Melodrama

by Marion Mills Miller, Edmund Day, and John Murray

  CHAPTER XVII

  A New Deal

  Bud Lane, returning to camp, saw the returned Sheriff supporting thedying murderer of Terrill, and listening to what was undoubtedly hisconfession. He stole away before he was observed.

  "It's all up with me," he thought. "Buck has told him. Slim hates mealong o' Polly. I'll get away from here' to-night."

  He met Polly by the mess-wagon.

  At once she saw that something had happened. Bud was deathly pale. Hetrembled when she spoke to him.

  "Why, what on earth is the matter?" she asked.

  "Nothing. I--" answered Bud, glancing about him, as if seeking some wayto escape.

  "You're looking mighty pale--are you sick?" persisted the girl.

  "Slim Hoover--he's back--" Bud could scarcely speak. His throat wasparched. Beads of perspiration stood on his forehead.

  "What!" cried Polly joyfully. "Is Jack with him?"

  "Listen here," exclaimed the young wooer. "Slim's heard about ourgoin' to get married, and he's sworn to shoot me at sight--" It was alame, halting explanation, but the best Bud could invent on the spur ofthe moment. He wanted to get away to have time to think.

  "I don't believe it!" replied Polly indignantly. "Why, Slim--"

  In his excitement Bud would not let her continue her defense of theSheriff.

  "It's so. He's plum locoed. The sun mus' have tetched his brains outin the desert," he explained, with rapid invention. "I don't want norun-in with a crazy man. I might have to shoot, an' Slim's been a goodfr'en' of mine. So I'm going to keep out of his way for a while. I'llride over to the railroad."

  Polly could not comprehend this strange behavior of Bud. Thinking tomake him tell her his trouble by taunting him with cowardice, she asked:

  "Say, look here, are you scared of Slim Hoover? Just let me handlehim."

  "No, no," expostulated Bud. "Can't you understand? We've been suchgood friends and--and--I can't pull a gun on him--"

  Polly was speechless with surprise.

  "Here he comes now," shouted Bud. "I'll hide in the wagon here--"

  "Don't hide!" counseled Polly. "Why?"

  Bud gave her no answer, for he had already disappeared under the coverof the mess-wagon.

  "I don't like that a little bit. Slim never acted locoed before. I'llhave to be mighty careful, I s'pose, for I think a heap of both Slimand Bud."

  Slim came up to the wagon with his face wreathed in smiles. "If itain't Miss Polly--" he yelled.

  Polly, having heard that crazy people had to be humored, ran to meethim, and threw her arms about his neck.

  "You dear, sweet, old red-headed thing!" she cried; "when did you getback? Where have you been? Where's Jack? Have you seen Echo?" Onequestion was piled upon the other by the enthusiastic girl--Slim hadtried to stop her talking that he might answer her, but he might aswell have tried to check a sand-storm. Out of breath and puffing, hefinally gasped:

  "Whoa! whoa! Yes'm. I've heard of them Kansas cyclones, but I ain'tnever got hit with one afore."

  Polly started all over again. "And Jack, did you find him?--tell meall about it."

  "See yeah," answered Slim, "I ain't goin' to say nuthin' to nobody tillI see Mrs. Payson."

  "Oh, pshaw!" pouted Polly; "not even me?"

  "Not even--what I've got to say she must heah first. I'm kinderstiff--if you don't mind, I'll set down a spell."

  Slim's face was drawn and worn. Although he had lost none of hisweight, he showed the effects of the siege of hard riding and fightingthrough which he had passed.

  The mental strain under which he had labored had also worn him down.Polly was more than solicitous for his comfort. Not only did she likethe Sheriff, but she was now fencing with him to protect her sweetheartfrom his wrath. She had concluded that Bud's charge that the Sheriffwas locoed and jealous was a cover to conceal some genuine apprehension.

  "You look tuckered out," she said.

  "Well, I 'low as maybe I am. Been in the saddle for two weeks. Kin Ihave a cup of coffee?"

  Polly began to mother him. This appeal for bodily comforts aroused allher womanly instincts. She made him sit down and poured the coffee forhim saying: "You sure can. With or without?"

  "I'll play it straight," grinned Slim.

  "I reckon you'll have to, anyway. Here you are."

  Slim took the cup with a "thankee."

  He drank long and deeply. Then he paused, made a wry face, and dancedhis feet up and down, as a child does in anger or excitement.

  "What's the matter?" asked the girl, with a laugh.

  "If this yeah's coffee give me tea, an' if it's tea give me coffee."The Sheriff put down his cup with a shrug of the shoulders.

  "It's the best we've got," replied Polly. "Sage-brush got it."

  "Oh, that's it. I thought it tasted like sage-brush. How's Bud?" hesuddenly demanded.

  Polly glanced nervously at the speaker.

  "All right, I s'pose." She tried to be noncommittal.

  Her nervousness almost betrayed her.

  "Ain't you seen him lately?" Slim insisted.

  Polly peeped into the wagon before she answered the question. "Yes--Isee him every once in a while."

  In an effort to change the subject of conversation, and get him awayfrom all thoughts of Bud, she asked: "Say, Slim, what's a boudoir?"

  "A what whar?" stuttered Slim.

  "A boudoir," Polly repeated.

  Slim was puzzled, and looked it. Then a new thought lighted up hisface.

  "You don't mean a Budweiser, do you?"

  Polly, deeply serious, replied: "No--that ain't it--boudoir."

  Slim ransacked his memory for the word. "Boudoir," he continuedreflectively. "One of them 'fo' de wah' things we ust to have down inKentucky?"

  An explanation was demanded of him, and he proceeded to invent one."Well, first you get a--get a--" Polly had fooled him so many timesthat he became suspicious in the midst of his creation, and asked:

  "Look a here--you're sure you don't know what boudoir is?"

  "Why, of course not," answered Polly simply.

  Slim was relieved by her reply.

  "All right," he resumed, crossing his legs, as if the position wouldhelp him better to think. "A boudoir is a see-gar."

  "A see-gar?" echoed Polly, distinctly disappointed. Bud's offer toduplicate the boudoir was now reduced to the proportions of "two fer anickel."

  "Yep," assured the Sheriff. "They are named after a Roosian--one ofthem diplomat fellers."

  "What's a diplomat?" Polly was finding Slim a mine of information, butall of the sort that needed plenty of expansion.

  Slim chuckled, and with a twinkle in his eye drawled: "A diplomat is aman that steals your hat and coat, and then explains it so well thatyou give him your watch and chain. Sabe?"

  Polly did not understand. She felt that Slim was laughing at her, butshe could not see any fun in his remark. To end the discussion,however, she said: "I sabe."

  Polly sauntered away from the wagon. As she passed Slim, he tried toput his arm about her waist. She skilfully evaded him. The Sheriffjoined her in the shade of cottonwood. "You know I've been thinking alot of you lately, Miss Polly?"

  "Only lately?" she asked mischievously.

  "Well, yes--that is--"

  This conversation was becoming too personal for Bud, who in an effortto hear all Slim had to say moved incautiously in the wagon. Slimheard him.

  "Who's in that wagon?" he cried, moving toward it. "Show Low asleep?"

  "No. Buddy," said Polly, thinking she might as well confess thedeception first as last, and using the childish nickname of her loverin order to soften Slim's anger against him.

  "Nobody," repeated Slim, not fully convinced that he was mistaken, butstopping in deference to Polly's apparent denial.

  "Who do you s'pose," asked Polly pertly, taking courage when she foundthat Slim did not continue his investigation. "You ain't after anyBuddy, are you?
"

  "No, but I'll just take a look in here, 'cause I got somethin'particular to say to you, Miss Polly, an' I don't want no listeners."And he moved forward again.

  At this juncture Polly began to ply her arts as a coquette. Lookingshyly at Slim, she murmured, "Are you sure you are not after ANYbody?"The emphasis on the last word was so plain that a shrewder love-makerthan Slim would have been deceived.

  "Eh? What's that?"

  Polly turned her back to him with assumed bashfulness. Slim's couragearose at the sight. "Well, I reckon this is a pat hand for me, andthat's the way I'm a-goin' to play it, if I've got the nerve."

  Slim smoothed down his tangled hair, and brushed off some of the dustwhich whitened his shoulders. "Look yeah, Miss Polly--"

  Then his courage failed him, and he stopped. Polly glanced at him, tohelp him over the hard places. Slim was greatly embarrassed. "Myheart is right up in any throat. Well, I might as well spit it out,"he thought aloud.

  Again Slim started toward the girl to tell her of his love, and againhis courage failed him, although Polly was doing her best to help him.

  "Look yeah, Miss Polly, I've been after somebody for a long time now--"

  "Horse-thief?" asked Polly coquettishly.

  "No, heart-thief," blurted Slim.

  "Stealing hearts ain't no harm."

  "Well, just the same, I'm goin' to issue a writ of replevin, an' tryfor to git mine back," laughed Slim.

  He was about to slip his arm about her waist when she turned and facedhim. The action so disconcerted him that he jumped backward, as if thegirl was about to attack him.

  "Where is it?" asked Polly.

  Slim, deeply in earnest, replied: "You know it's hid. You know justas well as I kin tell you."

  Polly became remorseful. She realized how much Slim was suffering, andshe was sorry that her answer to him would be a disappointment.

  "Please don't say any more, Slim,"--as she stepped away from him. Slimfollowed her up, and, speaking over her shoulder, said: "I can't helpit. You've got my feelin's stampeded now, an' they sure has to run.I've had an itchin' in my heart for you ever since I first knowed you.You come from Kentucky--well, I was kinder borned up that waymyself--in Boone County, an' that sorter makes--well, if it did, what Iwant to know is--"

  Slim hesitated, and nervously hauled at his chaps.

  "Will you be my--"

  Frightened at his boldness, he clapped his hand over his mouth.

  "Can I be your--" he began again.

  Angry at himself, he said under his breath: "I'll never get this damn'thing out of my system." In his earnestness he doubled up his fist andshook it behind the girl's back. Suddenly she turned, and found hisclenched hand directly under her nose. She started back in dismay.

  "Excuse me," humbly apologized Slim. "I didn't mean for to do that,ma'am--deedy, I didn't--I was only--that's--well, I reckon I'm a littlebit--"

  Slim looked directly at the girl for the first time. She was trying torestrain her hearty laughter. Slim's face broadened in a grin."You're a mighty fine piece of work, you are, an' I've got an 'awfulyearnin' to butt into your family."

  Polly was greatly moved by Slim's sincerity.

  "Don't, please don't!" she pleaded. "Why, I've known all along thatyou love me, but--"

  "But what?" he asked, when she hesitated.

  "I've always liked you real well, and I've been glad that you liked me.I don't want to lose your friendship, though--and, oh, please forgiveme, please do." Polly was very repentant, showing it by the tones ofher voice and in her eyes.

  Slim was puzzled at first. Then it came to him that the girl hadrefused to marry him. "Oh! I 'low you-all ain't a-goin' to say youlove me, then."

  "I don't believe I am." Polly smiled through her tears.

  Slim paused, as if steadying himself to meet the full force of the blow.

  "Mebbe it's along of my red hair?"

  "It is red, isn't it?" Polly smiled kindly.

  Slim ran his fingers through his locks, and looked at his fingers, asif expecting the color would come off on his hands. "Tain't blue," hesaid.

  Another thought came to him. "Freckles," he asked laconically.

  Polly only shook her head.

  "There's only one cure for freckles--sandpaper," grinned Slim.

  "But it isn't freckles," replied the girl.

  Slim looked at his hands and feet. "Maybe it's fat?" he hazarded. "Oh,I know I'm too fat! It beats all how I do keep fat."

  Slim looked into his hat and sighed. "Well, I suppose we don't getmarried this year, do we?"

  "No, Slim," said Polly gently.

  "Nor any other year to come?" Slim was still hopeful.

  "That's the way it looks now."

  Slim put on his hat and tried to walk jauntily to the fire, whistling abit of a tune. The effort was a sad failure. "Here's where I get off.I'm in sure bad luck. Somebody must have put a copper on me when I wasborn. I 'low I gotter be movin'."

  "You won't hate me, will you, Slim?"

  The Sheriff took the girl's hands in his and kissed them. "Hate you?"he almost shouted. "Why, I couldn't learn to do that; no, siree! Notin a thousand years."

  Polly slapped Slim on the back. "I'm glad of that," she cried. "Braceup. You'll get a good wife some day. There's lots of good fish in thesea."

  Slim glanced at her ruefully. "I don't feel much like goin' fishin'jest now. Would you mind tellin' me if I lose out on this deal alongof somebody else a-holdin' all the cards?" Slim waited for Polly'sanswer.

  "Why, don't you know?"

  "No," he said simply.

  "But he told me--"

  "Who is it?" he insisted.

  "No--if you don't know his name, I won't tell you," decided Polly.

  "Mebbe it's jest as well, too," assented Slim. "I don't think I'd feelany too friendly toward him."

  Slim moved toward the wagon. The action was purely involuntary, but itfrightened Polly so that she cried aloud.

  Slim grasped at once the reason for her fear. "Is the feller in thatwagon?" he shouted.

  "You wouldn't do him any harm, would you?" cried Polly.

  "Is he in that wagon?" Slim repeated angrily.

  Polly caught hold of his arm.

  "What's he hiding for?" he demanded.

  Slim pulled his gun and covered the opening. "Come out, you coward,"he shouted. Polly caught Slim by the right wrist, so he could not fire.

  Bud leaped from the wagon, drawing his gun as he did so. "You sha'n'tcall me a coward," he shouted to Slim.

  Polly ran behind Bud, and, reaching her arms about his waist, held downhis hands, depressing the muzzle of his revolver. Slim danced up anddown in the excitement with his revolver in his hand. Polly keptcalling on both of the men not to shoot.

  "Let him alone," shouted Slim excitedly. "Let him alone, Miss Polly.He's only four-flushin', and I ain't gun shy."

  "Now, look a yeah, sonny," he cried to Bud, "if that squirt-gun ofyours goes off an' hits me, an' I find it out--well, I reckon I'll haveto spank you."

  Bud tried to break away from Polly, begging her to "Let go."

  The girl laid her hands on his shoulder, gazing pleadingly into hisflushed face. "Don't, don't," she cried; "it's all right. Slim knowsall about it. He knows I love you, and he wouldn't hurt any one that Ilove, would you, Slim?"

  Polly smiled at the Sheriff, completely disarming him.

  Shoving his gun back into the holster, Slim grinned, and said: "Ireckon I wouldn't."

  "We've been engaged forever so long now, waitin' for Bud to get rich,and now--and now it's come."

  Her face radiated her happiness. Bud showed his alarm, motioning herto be silent, but Polly rattled on: "Bud's been saving and saving,'till he's got over a thousand dollars and--" Slim could not containhis indignation at the deception practised by the boy.

  "You derned thief," he shouted. Then he plainly showing his annoyanceat his lack of repression.

&nbs
p; Bud's hand dropped to his gun. "You--" he began, but Polly stopped himwith a gesture, looking from one to the other of the men, dazed andfrightened.

  "A thief. Bud a thief? What does it mean? Tell me," she gasped.Turning to Bud, she demanded: "Bud, you heard what he said?"

  Dropping his head, fearing to look at either of them, he mutteredsullenly: "He lied."

  Slim checked his first betrayal of his anger and kept himself well inhand.

  "Oh, Slim," pleaded Polly, "say you didn't mean it."

  Simply and sadly Slim answered: "I didn't. I reckon as how I'm somejealous, an'--an'--I lied."

  His voice dropped, and he turned aside, stepping away from the youngcouple.

  Polly was still in doubt. Slim's actions were so strange. It was notlike this big-hearted, brave Sheriff to accuse a man of stealingwithout being sure of his charges. Then Slim's accusing himself oflying was entirely at variance with his character. "I'm sorry," shesaid. "Please forgive me. It was all my fault. I didn't know thatyou--"

  Slim held up his hand to silence her.

  "Wouldn't you mind leavin' us together a bit," he requested. In answerto Polly's frightened glance, he continued: "There hain't goin' to beno trouble, only me an' him's got a little business to talk over.Ain't we, Bud? Eh?"

  Slim led Polly toward the corral, glancing at Bud over his shoulderwith a reassuring smile. "Just you step out yonder a bit and wait," hesaid to Polly.

  "Now, you won't--"

  "Can't you trust me any more?" he asked sincerely.

  Grasping him by the hand, she looked him fairly and fearlessly in theeye, saying: "I do trust you. I trust you both."

  As the girl strode out of ear-shot, Slim, absent-mindedly, kept shakingthe hand she had held. Awakening suddenly to the fact that his handwas empty, he looked at it curiously, and sighed. Turning quickly, heslapped his hat on his head, hitched up his chaps, and stepped up toBud, who stood with a sneer on his lips.

  "So you're the man that Polly loves," he said. "She's a good girl, andshe loves a thief."

  Bud turned on him fiercely, drawing his gun. "Take care!" he warned.

  "You won't shoot. If you meant to shoot, you'd 'a' done it long ago,when you pulled your gun," exclaimed Slim coolly.

  "I might do it now." Bud held his gun against Slim's breast.

  Slim threw up his hands to show he was not afraid of the boy. "Goahead. Squeeze your hardware. I reckon I'm big enough to kill," hesaid.

  Then he took Bud's hand and gently slid the revolver back into theholster. The action broke down Bud's bravado. All barriers fellbefore the simple action.

  "It's all up with me," he said brokenly.

  Slim sympathized with the boy in his trouble.

  "Buck, he told me. Buck, he 'lowed you had your share of that money,"he explained.

  The boy drew the money from his pocket and handed it to Slim,remarking: "Here it is--all of it, I never touched it--I was goin'--"Bud was about to lie again, but he realized the futility of morefalsehoods. "Take it," he added.

  Slim counted the money and slipped it in his pocket.

  "Bud," he said to that young man. "Me an' you have been pretty goodfriends, we have. I learned you how to ride--to throw a rope, an'Bud--Bud--what did you take it for? I know you didn't murder Terrillfor it, but what did you keep the money for?" He asked the questionwith anger and annoyance.

  Slim had seated himself by the fire. He spoke to the boy as he wouldto a comrade.

  "Can't you see?" the boy asked. "Polly. I wanted to make a home forher--and now she'll know me for what I am, a thief--a thief."

  Bud buried his face in his hands, the tears trickling through hisfingers, although he fought strongly against showing his weakness.

  Slim rose and stepped to his side, laying his hand on the boy'sshoulder. "Mebbe she won't have to know. Buck, he's dead, and onlyyou and I know."

  Bud looked at the speaker in amazement. A lovable smile crept overSlim's face. "I'm goin'," he said, "to slip you a new deck, an' giveyou a fresh deal. That was part my money that was stole. I never cameback at the county fer it. Buck, he's paid half. I'll let 'em allthink it was the whole. I'll put in a thousan' I have at home, that Iwas savin' to buy in with the Triangle B, in case I don't git electednex' time. So, Bud, I'm going to lend a thousan' o' this to you, justto give you a chance at that little home."

  "You're the whitest man I ever knew!" cried Bud.

  "I reckon I ain't colored, 'cept a little red mite on top," laughedSlim. He disliked any show of feeling by the boy over the offer he hadmade.

  "But I can't take your money," Bud protested.

  "Yes, you can," assured Slim. "You pay it back when you get on yourfeet again. I'm going to take your word."

  Slim's generosity overwhelmed the boy. "Take my word!" he cried.

  Slim laid his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Yes," he declared,"You've made your first bad break, but you've had your first lesson.An' you ain't going to forget it," he added emphatically.

  "And Polly?" he faltered.

  "There ain't nobody going to tell her." Speaking sternly to Bud, headded: "You make her a good husband."

  Bud seized the Sheriff's hand, wringing it warmly. "I will, Slim; Iwill," he promised.

  The wait had been too long for Polly. She returned before Slim calledher, saying: "I'm tired of waiting on you-all. Haven't you finishedup that business yet?"

  "Yes, ma'am, it's finished," replied Slim.

  "Did Bud tell you about it?" inquired Polly.

  "He told me. Seems like you two are going to get married."

  "Uh-huh," laughed Polly happily. "And, oh, say, will you stand up forBud?"

  "I reckon Bud can stand up for himself now, with you to help him,"answered Slim emphatically.

  "We'll run over and tell the boys you're back," shouted Bud.

  Slim took the hands of the young people in his own big ones. "I'm rightglad you two are going to hitch up," he said. "I am dead sure you'llmake a even runnin' team."

  Polly glanced shyly at Slim. "Bud won't mind if you kiss me," shehinted. Slim grinned sheepishly. In his embarrassment he rubbed onefoot on his other leg. "Well--I ain't--never--that is--" he stammered,"Bud, if you-all don't mind," he boldly asserted, after his bashfulnesshad waned, "I reckon I will play one little bet on the red."

  The Sheriff never did anything in a small way. The kiss he gave herfull on the lips was a resounding one.

  Bud took Polly by the hand, and silently led her to the house. Slim satdown on a keg behind the fire. Taking some loose tobacco and a film ofrice-paper from his pocket, he deftly rolled a cigarette, and lightedit with a brand from the blaze. With a sigh he removed his hat. He wasthe picture of dejection. For several moments he sat in deep thought.Then, with a deep in-drawing of his breath, and a shrug of theshoulders, he cried: "Hell! nobody loves a fat man."

  CHAPTER XVIII

  Jack!

  When Polly told the boys in the corral that Slim had returned and waswaiting for them at the mess-wagon, they dropped their work and madefor him with wild whoops and yells. Slim smiled as he heard the coming.

  Show Low made a running jump, throwing his arms about the Sheriff'sneck. Parenthesis and Sage-brush each grabbed a hand, pumping up anddown emphatically. The others slapped him on the back. All talked atonce, asking him the news, and whether Jack had returned.

  "Did you nip it up with the 'Paches," asked Parenthesis.

  "Talk, durn ye, talk!" shouted Show Low, "or we'll hang out your hide."

  Slim shook the hands of his comrades, in turn, affectionately.

  For each he had his own, particular form of greeting. "No, boys," hesaid, when the group became more orderly, "I ain't a-goin' to say aword 'till I see Mrs. Payson first."

  Polly had ridden at once to the house to tell the joyful news of Slim'sreturn to Echo, who hurried at once to the boys about the wagon.

  Parenthesis spied her riding down the trail. "She's comin' n
ow," hecried.

  "Boys," requested Slim, "would you mind herdin' off yonder a bit?"

  The cow-punchers strolled over to the cottonwood, leaving Echo to meetSlim alone.

  "Where is he?" was Echo's tearful greeting.

  "Well, ma'am, there's a man out yonder that's been through fire andbrimstone for you!"

  Echo stared over the prairies. Then Jack was still searching for Dick.Slim had failed to find him. "Out yonder," she moaned, wringing herhands.

  "Wait a minute," says Slim. "He says to me, says he: 'Break it toher, Slim; tell her gentle--an' if she wants me--call, and I'll come.'Ma'am, Dick Lane is dead."

  Echo shuddered. "Dead," she repeated. "By his--"

  "No, no," interrupted Slim; "not that way. Indians. Jack found Dick,an' the Indians found 'em both. When I come up with the soldiers fromFort Grant they was havin' the derndest mixup with Indians you ever didsee. Both men were bad hurted, an' Dick--well, ma'am--I leaned overhim jest in time to hear him say: 'Tell her I know she was true--andnot to mind.' Then he gave a little ketch of his breath, and droppedback into my arms."

  Echo sighed. The tragedy of the desert was very real to her. In themany months that the two men had been away she had lived through itwith them in poignant imagination.

  "Great-hearted Dick," she said. "I was not worthy of his love. AndJack, where is he?"

  "Wait a minute--he wants to know if you can forgive him--if you willtake him back."

  "Slim!" was the only word Echo uttered, but the volume of love itcontained told him everything.

  "You needn't say nothin' more--I see it shinin' in your eyes," criedSlim.

  "Jack! Jack!" he shouted, "you derned idiot, come a-runnin--"

  Payson hurried up from the arroyo within which he had been waiting.

  "Echo, I have not altogether failed in my mission. I have not broughtDick Lane back, but I hope I come from him bearing something of hisloyalty and simple faith. If you ever can learn to trust me again--ifyou ever can learn to love me--" he said to Echo humbly.

  "Don't be a derned fool, Jack," blurted Slim; "can't you see she ain'tnever loved no one else?"

  "Echo, is it so?" asked Jack eagerly.

  Slim grinned. Going over to Echo's side, he gave her a slight push,saying: "Go tell him."

  "Jack!" was her only cry, as her husband enfolded her in his arms.

  * * * * * * *

  With the next election for sheriff in Pinal County, William HenryHarrison Hoover had no opposition, for Buck McKee's nomination for thatoffice of one Peruna, formerly of the Lazy K outfit, was not ratifiedfor several reasons, the chief of which was that W. H. H. Hoover, aliasSlim, had, just previous to election, officially declared that the saidPeruna was deceased, having come to his death in the jail-yard of PinalCounty, by a sudden drop at the end of a new hempen rope, which did notbreak, as Slim, before the ceremony, had assured the apprehensivePeruna it would not.

  The sudden and successive removals of its two most honored andinfluential members, Buck McKee and Peruna, greatly demoralized theLazy K outfit, and the demoralization was completed by the perniciousactivity of the reelected Sheriff in interfering with the main purposeof that industrial organization, which was the merger of the Sweetwatercattle-business through a gradual amalgamation of all brands into theLazy K. One by one the captains or cavaliers of this industry soughtmore congenial regions, where public inquisition into such purelyprivate concerns as theirs was not so vigorously prosecuted.

  It must not be thought that the social graces and persuasive abilitiesof Sheriff Hoover were confined to the conduct of legalizednecktie-parties and the dispersion of outlaws. In its extended accountof the "Lane-Hope Nuptials," the Florence Kicker devoted much of thespace to the part taken by the "best man" in the ceremony, "our genialand expansive boniface of the new county apartment hotel." And soonafter it recorded that the same Sheriff Hoover had induced the"charming Miss Wiggins, sister of our deputy sheriff, to be his partnerfor life, as she had been for the dance at the Lane-Hope nuptials,described in our issue of June 15," and that "the happy couple receivetheir friends--which we are instructed our readers is an 'invite' tothe entire county--at their future home, the new county jail, on theFourth of July."

  And in a "local" paragraph of the issue containing the latter notice,the editor of the Kicker remarks:

  "Remember the Sheriff's Round-up on the Fourth. As ( ), our friendfrom the Sweetwater with the 'all round understanding,' says:'[right curly brace symbol, i.e. "brace"] up,Slim; all the boys will be there to [right-pointing finger] you a few; you'llsure see * * * [Updater's note: stars].'"