The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-09-03

selves, but the ladies and children who
are travelling along the road"
"They are in love with danger" re-
piled Pinkey. "Both are reckless as
to consequences, and the advice
OF parents or friends is not needed"
Scarcely had she spoken ere the clat-
ter of hoOfs was heard coming up be-
hind them, and Walter had only time
to seize the rein of Pinkey's horse and
hold it from running away when two
or three farmer boys, mounted on half
broken colts. dashed by. Seeing that
the young lady's horse was frightened
they yelled like Indians.
81 never before saw such ill-man-
nered young men," said Walter.
Pinkey laughed and explained that
such was the custom of the country.
"Then l wonder you are not afraid
to venture ont on horseback"
''Oh, am used to it," she said.
''Are you never frightened"
'No, sir"
will not your horse run away7"
''He might"
would you not be thrown from the
saddle?''
Il hardly think SO. 1 never was
thrown"
''YOu are an excellent horsewoman. :"
'.All girls raised in this portion Of
the country are so considered" she au-
swered.
'.But you do not approve of such
conduct?''
"No, sir; it is too rude to meet the
approval of any one; especially on our
way to church,
From every cross road and forest
path they met old folks. young folks
and children on their way to church.
Dressed in their holiday clothes, sOmc
i'll becoming and i'll fitting, yet all clean.
Walter soon learned the customs Of
the young horsemen. and although he
could not approve of their reckless rid
ing could not but admire it. The
school-house was in the midst of n
beautiful grove of tall, straight young
trees which furnished hitching posts
for all. In this grove were wagons,
carts and buggies. and large number
of saddle horses. He assisted Pinkey
to alight at the stile and hitched her
horse at a convenient sapling. Then
he accompanied the young lady to the
door of the school-house, when she
passed in, taking Il seat on the ladies'
side. and he on the other.
AS usual in country churches there
were several loafcrs and loungcrs wait
ing on the outside of the building.
They were men and boys who attend
church merely to see who is there, but
who never hear a word of gospel
preached. Among them he recognized
Bill Martin and shuddered as those
baleful eyes were fixed on him. There
was more than one nod and wink
exchanged among the women with
manageable daughters. as the new
farm hand entered with Pinkey.
Mrs. GOss, who sat by the side of
Mrs. Jones, wondered why Mrs.
Miles would allow her daughter to 60
to meeting with tramps The mar
riageablc young daughters, neverthe-
less, looked with no little envy on Pin
keys companion His slender form
and urbane air contrasted strangely
with the rough uncouth youth of the
His manner was gem
tlemanly and quiet, while the illiterate,
ill-bred young man of the country sat
chewing gum and springing up every
few minutes to run out of doors. much
to the annoyance of Rev. Mr.. Ban
croft, who was endeavoring to in
terest his congregation.
When the services were over Walter
stood at the door awaiting the exit of
his oov,, ,,on;N,, CN,,,o oOu %ouohoI h,u,
on the elbow, and upon looking around
he beheld Bill Martin at his side. Those
eyes with the same evil look were fixed
upon him; the pernicious grin on his
face betrayed the evil thought of his
heart and sent a chill over the frame of
our hero.
Don't be uneasy" he said, in low
tone Il amt goin' to give you away"
How hateful he seemed, and Walter
spurned him with the contempt he de-
served.
Pinkey made her appearance. took
the arm of the new farm hand, and
they walked through the crowd, that
had gathered about the door to the
stiles. Waiter assisted Pinkey to don
her riding skirt and mount her horse,
then sprung upon his own animal and
rode by her side. The woods were
alive with reckless horsemen. and their
shouts would make one think that a
grand fox chase had been inaugurated.
We can not describe that ride home.
Walter refers to it to-day as the hap
piest hour of his life. What did they
talk about? Of the trees, the blue
sky. the deep forest and fairy-like
dells; but be the subject what it might,
their eyes spoke deeper, hOlier lam
guage than words can. The glances
given and returned were the cOmmun-
ings of fond hearts. When Walter as
sisted the beautiful daughter of his
employer to alight, his hand trembled
rs it touched hers. The road seemed
far too short. and he wished it would
extend indefinitely, and that Pinkey
might be his companion. No words
were spoken. but each understood the
other. and Walter felt troubled Mt the
thought.
When she had dismounted, Pinkey
ran up to her room to undress and cry.
while Walter led the horses to the
barn, and to contemplate his own sad
fate-a cruel fate that made him love
an object so far above him.
CHAPTER VII.
BILL MARTINS VISIT.
The next day after the preaching ut
Preston Flat schoOl-house, Pinkcy
Miles was alone in her mothers kitch-
en-. lin Preston Flat Kitchens ALWAYS