Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-13

morrow, said Fred. ''YOU can't oct
ready, and, besides, tomorrow we are
going to brand the cattle, and we will
all ride over to the ranch, Alice. Mary,
you and |, and you can see what YOU
have said you would not miss for ANY,
thing"
Tom could make no reasonable ex-
cuse, so it was arranged that they
should go. He hoped Mary would not
go; but she, fearing Alice or Fred
would suspect the true state of affairs,
concluded to 90, and rode UP to the
door at the time appointed.
She greeted Tom as usual, there be-
ing nothing unusual as to her appear
ance, except the feverish flush of her
cheek and the sparkle of her eye.
Each carried, slung at the saddle
bow, heavy navy revolver Tom
''knew he couldn't hit a mountain with
that thing" but Fred insisted that it
might be of use, so he agreed to s'trans-
port it.
When they arrived at the ranch, the
cattle were being driven into the cor
raj, most of them having been corral
ed.
Tom rode up to within few rods of
the entrance, and thoughtlessly dis
mounted from his horse.
The cattle which are herded on the
plains of Texas are nearly as wild and
untamed as buffaloes. The herders,
whose duty it is to keep them within
bounds, are mounted on horseback, and
never dismount near the herd. The
strange creatures have a dread of a
man and horse together, but a man on
foot is an object which eXcites them to
such an extent that for a man to dis
mount near herd is almost certain
death.
So the moment that Tom touched
the ground a thick-necked, heavy, cur
ly-headed bull gave tremendous bel
low, and dashed from the herd towards
him.
Tom turned to mount, but before he
could place his foot in the stirrup, the
frightened pony gave terrified scream,
and broke from his hand and fled.
The great bull stopped moment,
paved the ground, snorted again, and
came on with a rush.
Tom made a tremendous leap to
dodge him, but he was caught fairly
by the terrible horns and thrown far
into the air. The great beast stood
ready to toss him again when he fell
Fred drew his revolver, but dropped
it in his haste.
Alice was too frightened to do any
thing, and stood waiting to see him
tossed by those cruel horns, when there
were two sharp reports, and the bull
fell upon his knees.
Mary Hilton rode deliberately up to
within short distance, and cooking
the heavy weapon, her hand was as
steady as if cut from marble as she sent
a ball crashing through the animal S
massive skull. Steady were her nerves
as she rode homeward, while the I'M
conscious form of Tom was carried by
Fred and one of the herders.
Only when she had dismounted from
her pony to walk to the house did her
strength give way, and she fell in a
dead faint
Through the long months that fol-
lowed while Tom lay helpless, she
watched beside him, bringing slowly
| back the life into his shattered frame.
| While she watched beside him, placing
cooling bandages on his bruised and
broken arm, or passing her hand over
his burning brow, she learned to know
| how much he was to her.
What would she do without Tom?
| Suppose he should die?
Terrified for moment at the
I thought, she stepped noiselessly to the
bedside; he was breathing calmly, and
there was every mark which betoken-
ed improvement.
For moment she stood locking at
him, then-blushing, obeying an I'M
| comfortable impulse-she bent down
and pressed kiss upon his lips. Plac-
ing her lips to his ear, she whispered:
Get we'll, Tom, for me. l love
YOU"
And turning quickly, she fled from
| the room.
Later in the day she sat watching
him, and suddenly he opened his eyes,
and smiled as if he knew her. From
that hour his improvement was rapid.
One day, as he lay reclining on a
sofa, and Mary read to him from Long
fellow, they fell to discussing ''Evange-
line, " and having talked for some time,
each sat silent and thoughtful.
Finally Tom spoke.
MARY, III was the HfSG Tune ne
had ever called her 'tMary'-'I want
to tell you something. One day-one
of those when everything was black
and dark-I dreamed. [ fancied [
looked up and two dark eyes were
bending over me, and kiss was press
ed upon my mouth. And somebody
whispered to me i love you, Tom, and
L thought it was you. Mary, cannot
my dream come true? Will it come
| trGe?''
Mary blushed, hesitated, finally rose
from her seat went over to him, and
kneeling beside him, she hid her face
on his shoulder and answered:
Yes, Tom, it will"
And it did.