The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-10-18
IL Anna found i: chance tto Isend her .ioy,eeI
a*httle note, which contained Z Only these

|:vnff3a :'t - i,.:.i.@t %st ,5&s II! .:iiOli Z
Desr Riehard:> 1'Sca,in cannot eq, t. III tie
Corners. But meet nil; at Willsau Half
way House about eight O'Clock with a
fast horse and chaise, Don't, be aston
ished i'll come alone, but only be ready
for me quick;IT!. x. ..:.;.Iet,:,l. Anna. - -
And her messenger brought her lovers
answer, written: hastily upon Al scrap
of her own note, and simply :saying:4< ~.
All right, and all ready. =, Richard.
+" Anna was dressed and in good spirits
when her father rode away at night. and
very soon Thomas drove the light chaise
round TO; the door and helped her TO 'hef
seat, quite delighted with her gracious
friendliness, for his cousin Anna vas not
always ready to show him much favor.
It was Z glorious moonlight night,
every leaf and twig showing against the
white NOV. .s15 i9z75@ls.;o,F t1I.'2 II :.
lhey rode gaylyialong for a mile or
two, and Anna; took. special pa;ns to
make herself agreeable, until she thought
1t was about time to set her plan work
ing. =: 80, :! >: -
Suddenly, on pretense of arranging the
rug, Anna, stopped over and dexterously
dropped her: muff into the snow: y :
She gave light scream. -,
:: "Oh! I've dropped my muff, and it wa&
new, q Christmas present from father
Do Do please please get out and get it. J. can hold
| Unsuspicious and obliging, Thoma.
handed his deceitful cousin the reins, and
sprang out to get the muf. ...,
Quick as thought, Anna drew the reins
tightly, caught the light whip from its
socket, gave the swift horse cut, and
sent it flying down the road as light as an
arrow, while poor Thomas not comprc-
hending her game as yet, ran shouting
after them.
But he was soon left far, far behind,
while on few the bay horse, guided by
Annals steady touch, until she drew it up,
reeking with foam, under; tho long shed
at Willis. =.
Another chaise was there, and in the
moonlight Anna recognized Richards fast
gray mare.
He came forward at once.
lis it you, Anna2'
"Yes, Richard,'' she said, springing out
Tell the 10y to blanket my horse; he's
all in sweat, and keep him here till
Cousin Tom comes for him. He'll be
here soon, I fancy. Are you ready?"
"Yes, all ready. Jump into my chaise
quick, Anna. Well explain as we 60
along. You'll 60 to Westield> with me,
dear?"
"Anywherc you please, Dick, only
let us be quick. Fathers at the Cor.
ners."
Dick put her into his chaise,. gave a
few brief orders to the astonished groom,
and was far on the road in q minute
more.
Long Mr.. Gracey waited at the dance,
but neither Thomas, Richard or Anna
came.
At last, convinced something was wrong
he mounted his horse and rode back,
meeting Thomas half way from Willis's
with his news.
Thomas was for instant pursuit, but the
old gentleman vowed that nobody should
60 after her or bring her back; she had
made her own bed and she might lie on
it for all he cared, whether she found it
comfortable or not.
So home went the old father and nursed
his wrath until the next morning, when a
note was brought from Anna, begging
Thomas's pardon for the cavalier way in
which she was obliged to desert him the
night before, saying that Richard and
herself were married and gone home to
Father Landon's, and were waiting to
to know if they might come over and ask
her parents forgiveness.
Now Mr.. Gracey did know when to
make the best of thing, and he admired
his daughter the more for the spirit and
will which equaled his own.
So, after fuming and fretting awhile,
he said: ..,
"Well, I give in. She'sa match for me
Real Grace pride that! Wife scare up
your fattest turkey and III go and bring
them home to dinner" '"T