Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-05-24

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little Madge already. He has stolen a
photo of hers, (which he declares rep
resents the sweetest and most spark
ling face he has ever seen. The dear
est wish of ny heart would be gratiiied
if the boy and girl | love so much
could make up their minds to love
each other"
straightforward Simon Winslow had
no idea that The very way to make a
spoiled beauty dislike a man is to in-
innate a wish that she should do 9TH
erwse.
No one had a greater faculty than
impetuous Madge for making noun
tains out of mole hills, and she had
nursed her smouldering Indignation
at what she choose to consider Cousin
Simon's summary disposal of herself,
until on the morning of George Car
lyle's expected arrival it burst into
flames.
She broke out again as she and
Clara were watering the geraniums in
the bay window,
ats a shame that dear old Cousin
Simon has turned matchmaker! But
| sha'n't humor him by falling in love
with his paragon, she snapped,
twitched fine pink blossom off ger
anium.
You're nervous, dear" soothed
Clara, laying a firm white hand on the
little dimpled one.
just at this point a rough sandy
head, belonging to neighbours little
boy was thrust into the room, and a
voice, choked by a huge bite from a
| great red apple, mumbled;
Miss Fannie don't want to use her
pony this morning, and she says if
either of you would like to ride, you're
welcome to 1t"
Madge's cheeks flushed eagerly, and
she looked up wistfully at Clara.
Eyes, you had better go; twill do
you good But be sure to get back
for dinner" said Clara, answering the
silent appeal of Madge's lovely eyes.
You're an angel, and Pm a wicked
sulky girl" said Madge, hugging her
sister impetuously,
"A rather cloudy day, dear, just at
present" returned Clara; "but hope
the crisp October breezes will blow
the clouds away, and that you will be
| your own sunshiny self again when
| you return from your ride
Claras wish was realized. Madge
was as radiant as the day itself when,
| after a brisk canter, she decided il
was time TO return.
But FREELY had evidently not yet
| reached the same conclusion, for she
shook her shaggy little head impa-
tiently, whirled around, and cantered
briskly onward.
"Why, FREELY, we must go homeH
coaxed Madge, again heading the
pony in the direction of the village,
and tapping its glossy side sharply
with her riding whip.
But the demon of obstnacy seemed
to have entered the little beast She
spun around again, and rushed at a
group Of scrub oaks by the road side,
with the evident intention of brushing
her rider of against the rough, low-set
branches
Madge thwarted this design. and
then the final struggle began.
She first tried to coax the pony into
! good humor with some clover-hay
that had fallen from a farmers wagon.
FREELY ate the tempting wisp with rel
ish, then calmly persisted in going
| forward; and when Madge had her
fairly turned again, she began to leap
and kick, as though she had lost her
much-tried patience upon discovering
that firm but quiet persistence was not
going to enable her to have her own
way, and Madge gave up the battle.
FREELY tossed her head joyfully, and
cantered on up the long, winding. yell
low road.
The silver peal of laughter that rang
out as Madge realized the comical side
Of the situation startled rabbit that
was crouching by the roadside, aud it
scuttled away through the following
| woods
''What will they think of me at home
when | don't come back?' she Won
| dered her dark eyes dancing as she
/ pictured their perpleXity. They will
probably decide that | have executed
my threat and run away. They little
know that FREELY is running away
with me-where / have no idea.
But FREELY evidently had a definite
goal in view Suddenly the golden
sea of wild sunhowers broke against
the high stone wall of an orchard,
and a little further on an open gate
swung half across the narrow lane.
FREELY cantered gaily into the farm
yard, and coming to a standstill, gave
a shriN Whitney of satisfaction.
al beg YOU to excuse me. My pony
brought me here. assure had moth
ing whatever to do with the matter,
Madge laughingly apologised, as they
We're confronted by a boy Of about
sixteen, in bluc-iean overalls, with
very light hair, which coutrasted
oddly with his tawuy skin and small
light eyes, which expressed all the
amazemeut Of which they were capa-
BILE
The youth eyed the pony sharply,
then burst into a gutaw Of amuse-
1 ment
"It's our old pony that pap sold to
llr Graham, down Riverside way. a
while back 1t gets homesick and
comes back here when it gets chance.
/ If YOU let itstay an hour on two, it'll
| 90 back 90 town like lamb
.But what shall I do2' said Madge