THE FEAST
JOYOUS whoops, loud and heartfelt, the to the door of the sheriff’s house in time to see their guests dismount. A perfect of their as the into a fire of jokes, and comments. Even the to know that something and was taking place, for they and and to prove that they were in with the of their and that thirty miles in less than three hours had not them. Bright colors prevailed, for the neck-kerchiefs in most cases were new and yet the original creases, while new, clean of and of metal the sunlight. Spurs and the clean looking appeared to have had a in the Limping Water. Blake had through the rooms of his ranch-house 300for decorations, and in the of a table he had a of of many and shades. These now from the of the and in one case a red was about the leg of a pinto, and the was not at all pleased by the decoration.
The the way to the house closely by Blake, the others in the order of their nerve. The Orphan was last, not from of courage, but of strategy. He that Helen would at the door to welcome each and if he was in the he would be passed on to make way for those him. Being the last man he to be able to say more to her than a of greeting. As he the steps she was into the room for something and he to one on the porch, well that she would miss him.
Bud his out the door and started to say something, but The Orphan for him to be and to disappear, which Bud did after exasperatingly.
The man on the was when he the light of skirts around the 301corner of the house. Sauntering to the he looked into the back-yard and saw Helen with a in her hands, the door. She him and stopped, as he to the ground and walked toward her. Her a red when he stopped her and took the tray, for his were and would not be subdued, and the thing she saw was the gold pin which out against the dark neck-kerchief. She was in her white dress, and the which she at her did not in its effect. Later her sister was to wonder if it was a that the and his neck-kerchief were so good a match in color.
She him and he a new and over him as he took the hand she out, the all the while in his other hand.
“Why aren’t you in the house paying your respects to your hostess?” she in and in earnest.
“The will but add to my when I do,” he replied, “for I will have had a 302then. As long as the are four and on not being together, how can I pay my respects all at once?”
“But there is only one hostess,” she laughingly corrected. “I am you are not very good at making excuses. You the need to make them before. You see, I, too, am only a guest.”
“We two,” he daringly.
“I am very to see you,” she said, leading away from plurals. “You are looking very well and much more contented. And then, this is so much than our meeting, isn’t it? No Apaches.”
“I’ve so that I like Apaches,” he replied. “They are so useful at times. But you mustn’t try to me to that day, not yet. It can’t be done, although I’ve to do it,” he her, making a of helplessness. “Sometimes an will the of a lifetime, making the days brighter, and yet, somehow, adding a touch of sadness. I have been a to myself since then, restless, absentminded, and for I know not what.” 303He paused and then slowly continued, “I must to to that day of all days when you an outlaw’s and your love for play and kindness.”
“Goodness!” she cried, for one meeting his eyes. “Why, I it was a terrible day! And you think differently?”
“Very much so,” he her as she her hand from his. “You see, it was such a new and to save a stage coach and then that it was a hospital with a doctor. I that Apache of being with his lead, for he might just as well have me a more to have dressed.”
“Yes,” she laughingly retorted, “it was almost as new an as starting on a long and peaceful and in the middle of a by Indians and an Indian who was at with one’s brother. And that after a terrible up for over an hour. Truly it is a day to be remembered. Now, don’t you think you should in and my sister-in-law?”
“Yes, certainly,” he responded. “But I the opportunity I must ask you if you 304will if I over and see you occasionally, it is on that ranch.”
“You know that we shall always be to see you you can call,” she replied, up at him. “We are all very in your and and all of us think a great of you. Are you satisfied on the Star C, and do you like your work and your companions?”
“Thank you,” he happily, “I will over and see you once in a while. But as for my work, it is delightful! The Star C is and my companions–well, they just can’t be beat! they are the finest, set of men that under one roof.”
“That’s very nice, I am that you so congenial,” she in sincerity. “James was sure that you would, for Mr. Blake is an old friend of his.”
“I’m very about this pin,” he said, his hand on it. “May I keep it for a while longer?” he asked with a note of in his voice.
“Why, yes,” she replied, “if you wish to. But only as long as you do not me, and you will not do that, will you? James has such 305confidence in you that I know you will not him. You will him in his own mind and in the minds of his and prove that he has not in judgment, won’t you?”
“If I am the total of your brother’s trouble, he will have a path of roses to through all the of his life,” he earnestly. “And I’m that you will again wear this pin as a of yours. Of you can borrow it occasionally,” and he whimsically, “but as as you is concerned, it is mine forever. It will and be mine on that condition, won’t it? My very own if I do not it?”
“If you wish it so,” she quickly, her with smiles. “And you will work hard and you will shoot a man, no what the may be, unless it is necessary to do it for the saving of your own life or that of a friend or an man. Promise me that!” she imperatively, pleased at being able to to him. “Men like you a promise,” she added impulsively.
“I promise to shoot a man, woman, child or–or anybody,” he laughingly replied, “unless 306it is necessary to save life. And I’ll work hard and save my money. And on Sundays, rain or shine, I’ll in and report to my new foreman.” Then a of his old came to him: “For I just about need this pin–knots are so clumsy, you know.”
She at the which the pin and laughed merrily, leading the way into the house.
As they entered Humble was the of his dog, to the of his companions, who added and voce.
“Why, here they are!” the in such a as to Helen’s with blushes. The Orphan hands with him.
“Yes, here we are, Sheriff, every one of us,” he replied. “We couldn’t be to away when Mrs. Shields put herself to so much trouble, and we’re all happy and proud to be so honored. How do you do, Mrs. Shields,” he as he took her hand. “It is of you to go to such trouble for a of lonely, like us.”
“Goodness sakes!” she cried, at his and pleased at the way he had her 307husband’s thrust. “Why, it was no trouble at all–you are all my boys now, you know.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Shields,” he slowly. “We will do our very best to prove ourselves of being called your boys.”
The The Orphan with a look of and to his sister Helen.
“He ain’t nobody’s fool, eh, Sis?” he whispered. “I’m how you up your mind to him with us!”
“Oh, don’t!” she in confusion. “Please don’t me now!”
“All right, Sis,” he in a whisper, her ear. “I’ll save it all up for some other time, some time when he ain’t around to turn it off, eh? But I don’t him a for the first–you’re the girl this of sun-up,” he said, with love and pride. “How’s that for a change, eh? Worth a kiss?”
She him and then left the room to to her in the kitchen, and he over to where The Orphan was talking with Mrs. Shields, his hand his and a in his eyes.
“Did you notice the new flower-bed right by the 308side of the house as you ran past it a while ago?” he asked, a to his wife.
The Orphan his memory for the flower-bed and not it, and smiled, not to admit that his attention had been too taken up with a flower than in earth.
“Why, yes, it is pretty,” he replied. “What about it?”
“Oh, nothing much,” the as he away. “Only we were of a flower-bed there, although I haven’t had time to at it yet.”
The Orphan and at the outfit, who were too and laughing to pay any attention to the across the room.
“James!” Mrs. Shields. “Aren’t you of yourself!”
“When you a mule,” said the sheriff, at his friend, “you want to look out for the kick. Come again sometime, Sonny.”
“James!” his wife repeated, “how can you be so mean! Now, stop and yourself!”
309“For a long time I’ve been puzzled about what you resembled, but now I have your for it,” easily The Orphan. “Thank you for me straight.”
The and his head: “I’m an old fool,” he grumbled, and to tell Helen of the fencing.
Mrs. Shields herself and her husband into the to look after the dinner, and The Orphan over to his just as Jim looked out of a window. Jim quickly, his a from ear to ear.
“Hey, Bud!” he called eagerly. “Bud!”
“What?” asked Bud, at the hail.
“Come over here for a minute, I want to you something,” Jim replied, “but don’t let Humble come.”
Bud and looked: “Jimminee!” he exulted. “Don’t that look sumptious, though? This is where we shine, all right.” Then turned: “Hey, fellows, come over here and take a look.”
As they around the window Humble that something was in the wind and he them. What they saw was a long table two trees, and it was with a 310white cloth and for a feast. Bud from the and Humble to a window that had anything and told him to put his against the glass, which Humble did after an argument.
“Feel the pain?” Bud asked.
“Why, no,” Humble replied, looking at his finger. “What’s the with you, anyhow?”
“Nothing,” Bud. “Think it over, Humble,” he advised, away.
Humble again put his to the and then snorted:
“Locoed chump! Prosperity is making him nutty!” When he he saw his friends laughing at him and making grimaces, and a light in upon him.
“Yes, I did!” he cried. “That joke is so old I it years ago! Spring something that hasn’t got and a step, will you?”
Jim laughed and a dance, but was squelched.
“You heathen!” Blake in horror. “This is Sunday! If you want to wait till 311you to the ranch–suppose one of the was here and you say that!”
“Gee, I all about it being Sunday,” Jim, looking to see if any of the were in the room. “We’re regular barbarians, ain’t we!” he in self-condemnation and when he saw that no were present. “We’re regular land pirates, ain’t we?”
“You’ll be to play yet, or have a race,” Humble with malice. “You ain’t got no and did have any.”
“Huh!” Jim belligerently, “I won’t try to learn a Chinee cook how to play and out of my pay, anyhow! Got enough?” he asked, “or shall I tell of the time you into Sagetown and asked––”
“Shut up, you fool!” Humble ferociously. “Yu’ll if you say too much!”
“’Skun’ is good,” Jim. “Got any more of them new to on us?”
Helen had been to and past the window and Docile Thomas here put his into words, for he had been at her, but now his broke.
“Gee whiz!” he in a to Jack 312Lawson. “Ain’t she a regular hummer, now! Lines like a thoroughbred, like a and a what is a winner! See her hair–fine and dandy, eh? She’s in the two-forty class, all right!” he enthused. “Why, when this country up to what’s in it the will have to put up a around this house and guard. Everybody from Bill up will be this way to talk with the sheriff. No wonder The Orphan has got a in his bonnet–lucky dog!”
“She can take of my pay every month just as soon as she says the word,” Jack replied. “But you look away once in a while? Suppose you shift your sights! You, too, Humble,” he said, on the latter.
“Me what?” asked Humble, without and without shifting his gaze. “What are you talking about?”
“Look at something else, see?”
“Shore I see,” Humble. “That’s why I’m looking. Do you think I look with my shut! Gee, but ain’t she a picture, though!”
“She is, but give it a rest, take a vacation, you chump!” Jack. “You’re at 313her like she had you hoodooed. Come out of your trance–wake up and make a of some other way. Don’t all the time at her. Mebby Lee Lung has killed your dog!”
“If he has we’ll need a new cook,” Humble with decision.
“Come on, boys! Don’t start milling!” the sheriff, entering the room. “Dinner’s all and waiting for us. And I you have all got your best with you, Margaret to see her food taken of lively. If you don’t clean it all up she’ll think you don’t like it,” he said, at Blake, “and if she once that in her it will be no more for the Star C.”
There was much in the crowd, and the came fast.
“I ain’t had anything good to eat for fifteen long, years!” Bud. “When I through you’ll need a new table.
“Same here, only for thirty years,” Jim hastily. “I just couldn’t sleep last night for about the my was to have to-day. I’ll my gun on my performance if the is heavy, all right. I’m 314not on speed, and I’m a from Stayersville.”
“Well, I won’t be among the also rans, you can on that,” laughed Silent. “I don’t very much, but I’m high.”
“I’ll it’s good!” Humble, “I’ll it’s good!”
“D––n good, you mean!” Jack. “Hey, fellows!” he cried, “did you what Humble said? He said that he’d it was good!”
“Horray for Humble, the of the Star C,” laughed Docile.
“Me for the pie!” Charley. “Here’s where I square on Blake for it in all these months about the he over here.”
“There ain’t no pie,” the in surprise.
“What!” Charley in alarm. “There ain’t none for me! Oh, well, you can’t me in daylight, for I’ll up on else. I ain’t going to left, all right!”
“Don’t wake me up,” Joe Haines. “Let me on in peace and plenty. Grub, 315real, grub, what is grub! Oh, joy!”
Mrs. Shields into the room and then paused in when she saw that the had not moved toward the feast.
“Land sakes!” she cried. “Aren’t you boys hungry, or is James up to some of his again!”
“You talk to her, Bud,” Jim eagerly. “I’m so I can’t.”
“Yes, go ahead, Bud!” came and in whispers.
“Well, ma’am,” Bud, his throat, around to be sure that the was him backing, and uncomfortable, “we was just up a–a––”
“B, C, D,” Jim in a whisper.
“We was just up a of thanks, Mrs. Shields,” he continued, his into the of the Jim. “You up!” he whispered. “I’m one hundred and now without the saddle!” Then he continued: “We all of us are about this, so we don’t know what to say––”
316“That’s right,” Jim, his arms across his stomach. “You’re it, all right.”
Silent and Jack Jim to the and Bud unruffled: “But we want to thank you, ma’am, from the bottoms, the very of our for your to a what ain’t had anything to eat since the war, and very little it. Joe Haines, here, ma’am, was just saying as how he was a-scared that it is all a dream––”
“I didn’t neither!” Joe in a whisper, looking very self-conscious. He was to the to join Jim and the speech on.
“He is it is a dream, ma’am, and I know we all of us have more or less about it being true. But, ma’am, we are to out all about it. We’ve thirty miles to see for ourselves, and I don’t you’ll have any about our being left at home when you up the left in the path of the after the is over. The boys want to give you three if it is Sunday, ma’am, for your to them, and I’m one of the boys!”
317“Hip, hip, horray!” the crowd, forward.
“Good boy, Bud!” they cried.
“I’m proud of you, Buddie!” Charley, him on the back.
“I didn’t know you had it in you, Bud!” Silent. “It was a speech, all right.”
“We’ll send you to Congress for that, some day, Bud,” Jack Lawson. “You’re all right!”
“I once had a piece of pie, a piece of pie, a piece of pie,
I once had a piece of pie, when I was five years old,”
sang Charley as he toward the door.
“Good! Go on, Charley, go on!” his joyously.
“Now I’ll have another piece, another piece, another piece,
Now I’ll have another piece, that’s two all told.
Good bye, Lee Lung, good Lee Lung,
Good bye, Lee Lung, we’re going to you now!”
“Again on that Lee Lung, altogether–it me right!” Bud, and the to the to Lee Lung was and properly to in sincerity.
The ladies laughed with delight, and Mrs. Shields to her husband, who and 318escorted The Orphan to a seat near the of the table, where he was by Helen and Blake.
“Grab your partners, boys,” the cried, pointing to the chairs. There was a of belts and on the ground, and after much all were seated.
The arose: “Boys, Mrs. Shields wants me to tell you how pleased she is to have you all here. She has sorry about you and she has at the of a Chinee cook––”
“Which same we all do–it’s chronic,” Jim to laughter.
“She wants you to make yourselves at home,” the sheriff, “learn the of the land around this range and the leading here, she that when any of you come to town you have got to pay us a visit and see if there is a piece of or cake to eat you go to that cook. And Tom says that he’ll fire the man who renigs––”
“I’m going to the hereafter!” Bud, at Joe.
“Not if I can shoot first, you don’t!” 319the carrier. “I was just a-wondering if it wouldn’t be to come in twice a week for it of once. We might more letters.”
“We’ll for your job next year,” laughed Silent.
“Before I you to eat,” the sheriff, “I––”
“Wrong word, Sheriff,” Humble. “Not coax, but force.”
“I am going to ask you to a little, and drink a toast to the man who saved the stage, to the man who saved Miss Ritchie and my sisters and who this dinner possible. This would be from a happy day but for him. I want you to drink to the long life and of The Orphan. All up!”
The of was in the which from the of the outlaw’s new friends, and he sat and embarrassed with a timidity, his crimson.
“Speech!” Jim, the others joining in the cry. “Speech! Speech!”
Finally, after some urging, The Orphan slowly to his feet, a playing about his lips.
320“It wasn’t anything,” he said deprecatingly. “You all would have done it, every one of you. But I’m it was me. I’m I was on hand, although it wasn’t anything to make all this about,” and he into his seat, and uncomfortable.
“Well, we have different ideas about its being nothing,” the sheriff. “Now, boys, a toast to Bill Halloway,” he requested. “Bill couldn’t here to-day, but we mustn’t him. His and it possible for our friend to play his hand so well.”
“Hurrah for Bill!” Silent, to his with the others. When seated again he looked at his and to Bud.
“Real sweet cider!” he exulted. “Good Lord, but how time past! I’d almost what it was like! It’s been over twenty years since I any! Ain’t it fine?”
“I was what it was,” Humble, a of in his voice as he refilled his glass. “It’s sweet cider, and good, too!”
Charley was with the and he had a inspiration: “Speech from Joe! 321Speech for the pieces of and cake he’s to get!”
“Now, look here, boy,” Joe replied. “I’m the carrier. I don’t have to go on duty, lead religion round-ups, go to or make speeches. As the books say, I’m exempt. All I have to do is cows, the and eat and cake once a week,” he said, at Bud, who and groaned.
“Good boy, Joe!” Humble, his excitedly. “You’re all right, you are, and I’m your deputy, ain’t I?”
“No, not my deputy, but my delirium,” Joe.
“Glory be!” Silent as his plate was passed to him. “Chicken, chicken! Mashed potatoes, and and gravy! And here comes corn, and jelly and mother’s bread. And tomatoes? Well, well! I we ain’t going to be well fed, and happy, eh, fellows? My won’t know what’s the matter–it’ll think it died and to by mistake. Holy smoke! It my eyes. What, jam? Well, I’m just going to close my for a minute if you don’t mind; 322I want to from the shock. This is where I live again!”
Humble in at the him and a long of and content.
“Gee!” he softly, a far-away look in his eyes. “Look at it, just look at it! Just like I used to when I was a little in Connecticut–but that was a long time ago. Well,” he exclaimed, up and his boyhood, “there’s one thing I hope, and that is that Lee my dog. Then I can shoot him and square for all these years of what he’s out to me!”
“Hey, Tom!” Charley, “why can’t we a of out on the ranch, and have a garden? Why, we have eggs every day and on holidays!”
“No wonder Tom to to town,” laughed Silent. “Gee whiz, I’d walk it for and cake and coffee!”
“Walk it!” Jim. “Huh, I’d crawl, and on my head, my together and every mile! Walk it, huh!”
Merriment the 323and when the had off the fast and furious, in wit, and counters, and in against the Humble, who soon found, however, a new and in Miss Ritchie, who took his part. Her was so as to more than once put to his tormentors, and the had been he was her and and was to sing her at every opportunity, and to make opportunities.
At The Orphan’s end of the table all was serene. He, Helen, Blake and the much to talk about, and all the while Mrs. Shields the four in a way, and the of her husband’s wit, for he was to with The Orphan and to his sister, much to her confusion. She was very happy, for here at her were her husband and the man she had would him, laughing and joking and the best of friends; and the table a of big-hearted boys, her boys now, were having the time of their lives. They were good boys, too, she told herself; a rough, but 324at the heart, and every one of them a friend. How good it was to see them eat and them laugh, all happy and mischievous. The of the had been finished, and now the Star C and The Orphan were one in spirit.
