Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1877-09-22

ners. But meet me At willis's Halfw,
carriage. Don't be astonished il con
alone, but only be ready for me quick.
anna.
And her messenger brought HI
lovers answer, written hastily upon
scrap of her own note, and simply sa,
ing
All right, and all ready. RICHARD.
Anna was dressed and in good spirit
when her father rode away at nigh
and very soon Thomas drove the ligl
wagon round to the door and helped he
to her seat, quite delighted with he
gracious friendliness, for his Cousin Al
ma was not always ready to show hir
much favor.
twas glorious moonlight night ever
leaf and twig showing against the whit
snow. They rode gayly along for a mil
or two, and Anna took special pains
make herself agreeable, until she though
it was about time to set her plan work
ing. Suddenly, on pretense of arrans
ing the rug, Anna stopped over an
dexterously dropped her muff into tn
snow. She gave slight scream.
sob! I've dropped my muff, and
was new, Christmas present frOr
father. Do please get out and get it.
can hold the horse"
Unsuspicious and obliging, Thoma
handed his deceitful little cousin tn
reins, and sprang out to get the mufl
Quick as thought, Anna drew the rein
tightly, caught the light whip from it
socket, gave the swift horse cut, an,
sent it flying down the road as light a
an arrow, while poor Thomas, not com
pretending her game as yet, ran shout
ing after them. But he was soon lief
far, far behind, while on flew the ba,
horse, guided by Annals steady touch
until she drew it up, reeking with foam
under the long shed at Willis's. An
other carriage was there, and in tn
Anna recognized Richard
fast gray mare. He came forward a
once.
"Is it YOU, Anna?"
"Yes, Richard" she said, springins
out. "Tell the boy to blanket my
horse; he's all in a sweat, and keep hin
here till Cousin Tom comes for him
He'll be here soon, fancy. Are YOU
ready?n
"Yes, all ready. Jump into my car
rage, quick, Anna. Wen explain a
we go along. You'll go to Westfielt
with me, dear?'
Anywhere you please, Dick, only
let us be quick. Fathers at the Cor.
ners."
Dick put her into his carriage, gave a
lew brief orders to the astonished groom,
and was far on the road in q minute
more.
Long Mr.. Gracey waited at the dance,
out neither Tom, Richard nor Anna
came. At last, convinced something
vas wrong, he mounted his horse and
'ode back, meeting Thomas halfway
rom Willis's with his news. Thomas
vas for an instant puzzled, but the old
gentleman vowed nobody should go af-
er her or bring her back; she had
made her own bed and she might lie on
1 for all he cared, whether she found it
or not.
So home went the cid father, and
lursed his wrath until the next morn
NC, when note was brought from
Anna, begging Thomas's pardon for the
avalier way in which she was obliged
o desert him the night before, saying
hat Richard and herself were married,
nd gone home to Father LandOn's, and
Tere waiting to know if they might
ONE over and ask their parents for
iveness. znH a Dlr a.rg
Now Mr.. Gracey did know when to
make the best of a thing, and he adj
hired his daughter the more for the
ill and spirit which equaled his own.
So, after Tuning and fretting awhile,
e said:
"Well, give in. She's a match for
lie. Real Graeey pride that! Wife,