North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-07-11

sured him how little Mr.. Willis was to me.
At last, / bad nearly made up my mind
to desperate thing; nothing less indeed,
than to seek the intercession of his cousin,
my friend Belle. would tell her how
much loved Mr.. Harrison. and beg her to
inform him in some sly feminine way. that
/ should msver marry Mr.. Willis, and
that we were not engaged" However,
l neglected to do this, just one day too
long.
1t was Monday-thc last day of our
intended stay at the Falls Mr.. Willis in
vited me to ride. / had no courteous re.
fusal al hand, and consented to 90 with
him. Indeed, / had half promised hin,
some days before. There was New York
friend of his staying at the Falls, who had
with him favorite horse--a fiery, hand
some animaI--and Mr.. Willis had repeat
edly invited me to ride behind him. /
could put off the ride no longer, Of course
did not much like the vicious manner
which the horse, at starting, laid back his
ears and bounded away but 1 said moth
ing. We had not been riding many min,
utes, ere the animal chose to take fright at
the Tapping of line full of newly washed
clothing, ,,in the door-yard off house near
the river bank and, taking the bit in his
teeth, he ran away. Our road lay along
the bank--safe enough, certainly, for a
ride with horse under control; but de-
cidedly not the best place for runaway,
because there was spot, not over half a
mile distant, where the chances were
frightfully great tina. VIC should be thrown
over the precipice and killed. At the rate
we were now going, we should reach that
dangerous place very soon,. William
Willis looking ahead, comprehended the
danger, and his face blanched.
"Good God p he crien, "ifs deaM"
With that he threw up the reins, and
jumped out of the buggy, striking a rock,
and breaking bis -bone-as ! found
aftcrward.
As for me, kept my seat. If it should
become necessary for me to jump, then I
would jump, but / was determined not to
take that venture till it was inperatively
demanded, by the imminency OF the dan
ger at hand. So long as there was pos
sibility that the horses progress might be
arresteds:I held TO that hope; because
when horse is running furiously down a
smooth road, there is no choice between
jumping spots, I'LL the crisis is at hand.
While I sat, clinging firmly to the seat,
and looking out sharply ahead, for the dan
gerous place must now be drawing near,
a man--it was Mr.. Harrison-sprung with
astonishing agility at the horses head,
from among some trees at the roadside,
caught the bit. jerked it back, and actually
tore the animals lips, SO that blood flowed,
so energetic was the action. There was
no resisting the iron will, backed by the
iron nerve. The runaway came to a stop.
Mr.. Harrison drew him to the side ofthe
road, and examined the harness and bug
gy carefully.
"Nothing broken" said he. "A very
narrow escape, Miss Monroe. / saw you
coming, and had just time to get nv wits
in order. There. don't thank me :; didn't
know it was you, and should have done
Just the same for any one else"
"But you ale hurt?" said I, noticing
that he limped. ...-.
ayes, the horse trod on my foot"
"Oh. how unfortunate Shall / get
out 2"
"No." said he ''that is, it is unneces-
sary that you should. Sit still and get rest
ed. He will run no more to day,I promise
you." He came around, and placed his
lamed foot carelessly on wheel of the
buggy and spoke in his usual calm TONE
"When horse hss had fine, lively run
like that, he is inclined to be quiet for the
rest of the day. You can drive him back
in perfect safety. Butt did not know you
were fond Of taking drives alone by your
self, Miss Monroe
81 was not riding alone" said /, "my
driver jumped out"
"And left you r. said he, astonished.
"Yes."
"He ought to be horsewhipped May |
ask the towards name ?"
"His name," said l. us William Willis.
Mr. Harrison stared, amazed.
"Willis! beg your pardon, Miss Mon
roe." This very coldly. 81 should not
have spoken in those terms, ifI had known
that your companion was your He
stopped, and bit his lip. ...- ..
"My fanee, you would say" I made
quick response. "But he is not my ts'snee
Mr.. Harrison. ! would sooner marry q
woman than such coward" -
Ispoke with some heat, and he looked
up at my excited face with his dry smile.
"Will you marry me, Miss Monroe p
"Yes," said !. ~.-..g 49,.
And I did. -.,.. ........
1t was queer place for . proposal. was
it not? But my husband is not like other
men. He always has his 'oits about him.