The Red Cloud chief., 1888-04-06

for. according to his observations. in
the ordinary days run. there were
twice as many ~rcd-haired girls as white
horses. This. of course. did not allow
for unusual occurrences or for night
travel, when there we're fewer horses
on the street. At the end of the first
week the result was: Failures. one; ver-
i:icationS. forty-eight. Spriggs did not
quite believe in the thing yet, but the
next week was ever more convincing.
The record stood: Failures. none; sue
cess. se%venty-fOur times. BY this time
it had become not a definite test to
prove the truth of a saying. but a wild
hunt after an instance where a failure
could be recorded. Night after night
Spriggs prowled around the streets,
pecring into the faces Of the pedes:ri-
ans and freiuenting localities where
there would be little likelihood of find
ing quadrupeds. The fever had grown
to such an extent that he was forced to
admit to himself that there mus. be
something in it. while he protested TO
believe that the truth needed further
investigation.
One day Dick dropped in and taking
Spriggs aside. with much hesitation
and stammcring. confidcd the fact that
he was engaged to be married. ''It's
Mabel Austin, Uncle Zeke. Il beautiful
girl -"
Light ordark:9" asked Sprigggs. with
4 quick look of interest.
''Well. l guess you'll call her a bru-
nettc. for she has the lOvelie>t black
hair in the world; but l have promised
to bring you to see her tonight. Say
you'll 90. Uncle Zeke-TN call for You
;t eight. shall L."
1t had been many years since Spriggs
had gone ont calling and he was 10th
to begin now. when lie needed all his
time for his Investigations: however.
he promised and Sent his nephew away
rejoicing.
Spriggs found Mabel all that Dick
had claimed for her. and was well
pleased with his boys choice: yet the
evening dragged somewhat. and his
dress suit made Uncle Zeke overly con
scious of his society shortcomings.
He was standing near the window for
a moment alone, when he heard his
name called. Turning quickly. ne saw
Dick approaching with a vision Of love
illness on his arm.
One look was enough. and the next
ms. ant Spriggs had wheeled about and
jerkcd aside the hangingS. TrOttinS
slowly past, and directly under the
street lamp. was the inevitable white
horse.
Then he remembered that Dick posi-
bly, wanted to present him. and. drop
ping the curtain in great haste. he con-
fronted the pair. The vision had a
cold and naughty look, and Dick vas
clearly embarrassed. Spriggs appre-
ciated his awkward position fully. and
with a great effort made himself ex-
ceedingly agreeable. Indeed. in his
abject humiliation. he was so devoted
that Dick WAS led to whisper to his
fiancee: Your sunny-h eaded friend
seems to have caught Uncle Zeke
hard"
When Spriggs went home he sat down
and went ovet the events of the
ing. The vision was certainly hand
some AMI could talk as few women
were able. but he shuddercd ut the
thought OF her hair. 1t was an unmiS-
taxable red. Nevertheless. he had
asked permission to call and it had
been graciou>ly granted. Spriggs called
AMI then called again. In a short time
his leisure hours were about evenly d.
vidcd between his Investigations and
the vision. Sprf"rs was struck hard.
so hard. indeed. that when in her de-
lightful presence he almost forgot his
hobby. He invariably hired Il white
horse. however. when he took ::her out
driving. Once he had the temeri'y to
try Il bay horse. mt he never repeated
the experiment. He was uneasy the
whole time. for while his heart and
soul were with his companion his mind
and eyes sadly missed the familiar Sc
Gucncc.
One evening as matters were ap-
preaching 4 crisis. Spri.g, found him
self seated in close proximity to his in
amorata. He had fully made up his
mind to settle the matter at once and
have done with it. The Re was just
enough manly conceit about him 10
make him feel assured that his suit
would not be unsuccessful. but it was
with considerable trepidation that he
approached the subject. The onversa
ton had driftcd, as lovers talk in
variably will. to the personal. and
Sprisgs was expatiating on early strug-
giles and ambitions.
81 had a hard time of it when l was
young" he was saying. My nature
was no: one IL make friends readily.
and female friends were exceedingly
rare. Indeed. my mother was the only
woman with whom / felt really at
TIo, ne M bu-;pos. rro,v