National Republican., 1877-04-15
in A MOMENT OF PERIL.

the Old Red Ranch, as IL was called-thirty.
Tho Forest family had pitched upon II quite
by accident, when they had migrated from the
old country ten years before. Mr.. Forest had
purchased a vast tract of uncultivated land on
the Red river, and had settled there, like the
patriarchs Of old, with his wife and children,
his men servants and maid servants, his
focks and herds, and everything that was his.
Since then everything had prospered with him.
Wide ranges Of prairie, magnificent sweeps Of
forest and wood, green hills aud dales, be-
loneed to him. He was literally and truly
monarch Of all he surveyed. His family con-
slated Of his wifc, three grown-up sons and
ono daughter, Naneie, a sweet, mischievous,
dark.eyed damssl Of eighteen, whose capaci-
ties for flirting and mischief were as fully de-
veioped rs any town bellies. One would not
have imagined that there was much scope for
these special accomplishments In the wids of
Texas; but there was not q young fellow
within fifty miles Of Forest Hill who WAS not
In love with Miss Nancio's beau1 veu1, and not
one but would have ridden twice the distance
for kind word or sign Of favor from the
somewhat capricious but always charming
young beauty.
The Northcotes-distant relatives of the
Forests--were the owners Of tho Red Ranch
settlement, place one degree more civilized
than Forest Hill, inasmuch % ID boasted ono
shop and post ONCE. Young Fred. North
most devoted slaves, and as such was tyran-
nixed over quite Numerically. Tho young
fsllow Was always finding his way ever TO
Forest Hill on some pretext or other. He had
SPOKEN his wishes plainly enough long before,
but Miss Nancie was iirt. She would not
cay "yee," but she did not say 'no;" and
meanwhile Fred was kept 10 suspense, chatting
and impatient enough, and yet bound hand
and foot to his willful, charming lady love,
and perhaps, man ifhs, loving her all the
hwas brilliant morning In April-summer
weather In the far West, the sun already
blazing nercely, and promising . tropical
Nr. Forest and young Fred Northeote, who
had been spending . day or two st Forest Hill,
porch OF the long, low farmhouse. Fred was
. brown-faced, blue-eyed young fellow, strong
and athletic. He looked very handsome IN
his careless backwoods costume of knicker-
bockers and gaitors, striped blue and white
shirt, light loose jacket, and broad brimmed
son mustache and bright keen eyes. 4 black
horse of great beauty, deep chested, strong
limbsd, was standing beside him, paving the
ground and tossing his handsome head under
his masters caressing hand. Hotspur was an
English horse, almost thorough bred. For
speed and endurance, nor, in Fred's opinion,
for beauty either. Mr.. Forest was speaking.
"Tell your father, Fred, that cannot an
swer for that timber merchant, Dobson. He
asked me to make inquiries about him, aud
report says he is slippery customer, aud not
can right, sir; I'll tell him." returned
Fred, who was on the point of taking bis de-
parture homewards; "and will come back
on Thursday and tell you the result" he
added, as an sfterthought.
"Very well, lad; We shall be glad to see
you. By.the-by, I hear the prairie has been
on fire away by the North Forks. Mind you
do not ges caught. The wind sets right from
there, and It Ia Just the weather for Hres."
emo fear" laughed the young fellow, Is he
put one foot IN the stirrup; 'T've run many .
race With prairie fire before now. Goodbye,
''Cousin Fred, cousin Fred, want to 60 to
the Red Ranch-you must wait for mep' cried
pretty, lmperious voice Just IS Fred's horse
had made . step forward. and tall slight
girl came running down tho versndah step,
her nut:brown hair shining lke FURNISHED
gold IL the sunlight, bright color in her fair
Fred was down instantly, his face assuming
An expression Of surprise. Not half an hour
before he and Nsncie had had high words, and
thst she should voluntarily seek his escort
now was somewhat unaceountable. But most
of Miss Nsncio's caprices were uuaccouutable
tIt Is too hot, child, !" inserposed her father
.Thirty miles in this blazing sun-it would
"Ob, no, IL would not !" urged Nancie, her
dark eyes sweet and willful. at will not huri
me. Let me 60, dsddy-do. can ride Miss
Gus look at the young msn-"Fred will take
care Of me-" H-..t .
Mr.. Forest raised ono or two more objec
tions, but Nancio-a spoiled pet and darling
-overruled them all, and finally, a. she al
ways did, got her own way; and In half ar
the maple-woods which clothed the risint
ground all about Forest Hill.
Nancie and her chestnut mare Miss Molly
were Q picture to look at. The girl was
perfect rider, and, in her close atting habit OF
Ent gray eio.h, sGe only tnns suitable pistO, TO-
at the throat, and her sioad- -brimmed straw
hat, looked her very best, and knew 1t, too.
"This Is an unexpected honor" began Fred
as they quilted the shade Of tho trees, an,
, entered on the dry, crisp grass OF the oPel
prairie. -,
Nancie, with 0 toss Of her bright young head
att suited my convenience to come. eIpec
to find some letters at tho settlement which
wish to get for myself"
"sixty miles Is long way TO rae Tor letter
which could have brought with me on Thurs
. day." remarked Fred, with o somewhat In
credulou, smile. 81 do not suppose they ar
Of such vital consequence"
81 have no wish 70 make you my postman,
retorted Miss Nancie; "and 1t is not Of th
slightest consequence what you suppose o
DO not suppose"
probably not" allowed Fred, trying Il
ook cool. ''You take care no one shall hav,
avery exalted opinion OF hiuself or his opln
ems either where you are, Nancie."
"0f course" returned Nancie, calmly. "S
am glad your penetration has discovere
hat I came to please myself, not you."
Fred disdained to answer, except by mos
Unnecessary cut Of the whip on Hotspur'
glossy flank. The quarrel between the tw
lad been In progress some days. Arisin
originally In o most trivial dispute about
psebud which Nancie had bestowed on one Q
der admirers, II had gone on from bad
worse, till the two were at daggers-drawI
Tred unwisely thought the storm had blow
aver when Nancie Insisted on riding with bill
% the Red Ranch, but he soon found out h
mistake. Ono or two attempts he made ,
econciliation were promptly nipped 10 II
bud. Nancie was as peryerse and contr
tictory as she we'll could be, aud at last Ere
' 30 grew resentful, and, ceasing to try to VI
der with fair words, rclapsed into silence
lis turn. In this unsocial style the two presst
4. IN mile after mile, till the sun was high In Il
leayens and half their journey over.