Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-22
PRINGLE.s Flat.

her son Dick rs he was driving up to the door
in new buggy. then at her daughter-in-law
Mrs Hope, whose honeymoon was al its full.
Il am so glad" said the young wife. ''what
lovely weather we have had ever since came
herei not at all what some OF my friends pre-
dicted when they said we ought TO spend our
honeymoon in the east"
Dick Hope at that moment sprang out OF his
buggy lightly, and calamity extended hand to
his wife.
"Nonsense," exclaimed Mary Hope. Il am
not such a helpless creature that can't get in
myself" and she stepped lightly into the buggy
with merry laugh.
Old Mr.. Hope. coming down from the stables
at that moment; eyed the horse. buggy and
harness Dick had expended seven hundred
dollars ON the turn-outl. then stood patting the
horses neck kindly. He was an admrer of ine
horses, and his Judgment was sought far and
wide on all points of horse1esh.
There's fine metal there, Dick"
al know il" said Dick proudly.
"Cheap at four hundred" said Mr.. Hone
Have you tried her YETI"
81 think she is good fortwo-twenty-on with
out an effort
"why. isn't that fast horse. Dick?" asked
his wife, whose curiosity was aroused.
"Just middling, "answ cred her husband. .We
have them out here faster than that"
at is fast" said his father. I'VE used to
think it impossible. but we've got so far on that
there's no telling what's i'm horse. 1 like this
mare very much If it was anybody else's.
"Come, now, what would you give, father?'
said Dick, banteringly.
=" It's all i'm the family, so I'm saved hum
dred dollars, at least"
" hundred more wouldn't buy her. father.
Just say to anybody that covets my new mare
won't take cent less than 800. Why, she
goes like the wind"
" That reminds me- Dick; you'd best take the
road round by brakes"
" And lose good half-hour," said Dick
=" Ihats long way round, father" said the
elder Mrs. Hope
"You take my advice" said her husband. 81
mean coming back. 1t doesn't matter going
If should blow, you'll find it safest"
Dick, who was adjusting a strap, looked Off
east and west, smiled in satisfied way and OBJ
| served 81 don't see any signs of storm"
"NOr ," said his father, ''but no one knows
anything about that wind here. I'll never for
get the sweep got twenty years ago coming
over Pringle's Flat"
'Thats where we are going isn't it. Dick?"
Mrs, Dick Hope looked the least trile anxious
as she turned to her husband. "Was it SO bad
Mr.. Hopper"
"Bad! Bad's no name for it. Why il blew nv
wagon as far as from here to the barn. blew the
horses off their feet, tore up trees, and lodged
me against a rock and saved my life"
THAT must have been terrible" said Mary
Hope.
"Don't let him brighten you" said Dick.
smilingly; lightning never strikes twice in the
same place. I'm all right you see. The only
time was blown away was when l went East
for you. Are we all ready now? Basket in.
mOther?'
Mrs. Hope nodded gaily. Dick lifted the reins
lightly. and away the new buggy with its happy
occupants sped over the prairie.
1t was early morning. The fingers Of the
dawn stretched upward, dssolving the shadowy
mist that hung over the prairie, and the line of
woodland that lay away of to the west like
the fringe OF neatly cut garment. The young
wife inhaled the perfumes eXhaled from the
flowers, filling the atmosphere with rich odors
There were lines upon lines of yariegated tints
above the horizon. Such sunrise Mary Hope
mad never looked upon except among the
mountains. There tints of crimson, amber and
gold, and all white pillars rolled maiestically-
| palaces more magnificent and stately than the
human mind could conceive
How grand" she said, as Dick looked smil-
ingly at her.
| As the red and golden glories stretched above
the horizon, light breeze sprang up, tanning
Mary Hopes cheeks caressiny her hair lightly.
and signing through tine thin shelvage of trees
that Dicks father had planted along the road
way before Dick was born. The god of day
wheeled his chariot alOft, radating, as only the
| summer sun can, the rarest tints of amber
| crimson and gold, until the purple glores, roll
ing aloft like great pillows, gradually arched
themselves into the resemblance of gateway.
through which Mary Hope caught, in fancy.
glimpses of the celestial city. She did not
speak, but sat perfectly quiet drinking in the
beauties of the most beautiful morning Dick
Hope had ever witnessed in the west.
"There is Pringle's Flat" said Dick, suddenly
pointing ahead.
"Surely We have not come seven miles vet
Dick?':
Scarcely How far is that ahead?"
els it mile Dick?"
Dick laughed loudly; 'sIt's near four"
81 don't understand it,"
"That's what the smart hunters from the
east say when they shoot and miss their game
It's the atmosphere. Mary"
" It's small place" said his wife, as she
looked forward to Pringle's Flat, lying a little
below Them Beyond it there was ribbon -of
molten gold, made by the suns slanting rays
falling upon the river, "And that is the river "
well be there in twenty minutes. said
Dick, ''when | want to introduce you to some
OF the incest people in this end of the state"
The people Dick referred to received the
young couple In manner that made Mary
Hopes cheeks glow with qualification. Her
husband was universally admired-as fine
specimen OF his kind as was ever produced west
of Pringle's Flat. The bride, during the two
hours they remained in the town. created rip
pie talk. There was something about Dick
and his wife that made people turn and look at
them: When they drove away, score of
friends waved good wishes and tossed kisses after
them.
Now for Dams Rock" said Dick, as he gave
his mare the rein, and cast a.backward glance at
PI1nge s Flat. Pretty, isn't it,"
Pretty" said his wife, 'Why, Dick, it's
lovely! See the light on the church windows: it
looks as though it really were on fire. The
houses are SO pretty, too"
Il am glad you like it. That me; do
you see that house above the church, to the
left?"
g 1t looks charming-the prettiest house
there"
'Glad you like it."
"Why, Dick?"
Its yours. bought it before went east
for you. Wen look inside of it when We re-
turn, if we have time"
That was Dick Hopes way.
The drive to Dams Rock occupied an hour.
"Now for a trial ofyOur strength" said Dick,
as he tied his horse to tree at the base of the
great rock and assisted his wife to the ground
where they were to lunch.
Must climb up there, Dick?"
"That's the prOgram-what we came out
for to-day. You've heard so much of the view
from Dams Rock that you want to see it for
yourself. Do you know you remind mesof Par
thenia fetching water from the spring."
"Parthenia tanned her husband didn't she
Dick? I'm glad your mother saved me this
trouble"
This was the lunch Mary Hope often recalled
in after years Dick persisted in forcing all
kinds Of dainties upon her, "Irish fashion," as
ot< c0sI oFf nn1 L Il