South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1888-05-04

just at this point q rough, sandy
head belonging 10 a neighbor's lit
tie boy was thrust into the room
and voice choked by huge bite
from great red apple mnmbled:
Mics Fannie don't want to use
her pony this morning and she says
If either OF you would like To ride
you're welcome tolt.
Madge's cheeks flushed eagerly
and she looked up wistfully at Cha,
ra.
Yea you had better go; twill do
you good. But be sure to get
back for dinner said Clara an
sweriug the silent appeal Of Mad
ge's lovely black eyes.
You're ON angel and I'm a
wicked, sulky girl, said Madge
hugg,ng her sister impetuously.
"A rather cloudy day dear just
at present.' returned Clara but I
hope tie crisp October breezea
will blow the clouds away und
that you will be your own sunshi-
ny self again when you return
from your ride
Clata's wish was realized.
Madge was as radiant as the day
itself when after brisk canter she
decided it was time to return.
But FREELY bad evidently not
reached the same conclr sion for
che shook her shaggy little head
impatiently whirled around and
cantered briskly onward.
why FREELY we must 60 home!
coaxed Madge again heading the
pony in the direction Ct the village
and tapping lie glossy side sharply
with her riding whip.
But the demon of obstinacy
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 ev-
ident intention of brushing he: RI
der Oft against the rough low-set
branches.
Madge thwarted this design and
ther the final struggle began.
She first tried to coax the pom
into good humor with some clover
hay that had fallen from farmers
wagon. Firehy ate the tempting
wisp with relish then calmly per-
| sisted in going forward; and
when Madge had her fairly turned
again she began to leap aud kick
as though she had lost her much
tried patience upon discovering
that firm but quiet persistence was
not going 10 enable her to have her
own way and Madge gave up the
battle.
Firefly tossed ber head joyfully
and cantered on up the long win
ding yellow road.
The silvery peal of laughter that
rang out as Nadge realized the
comical side Of the situation start
led a rabbit that was crouching by
the roadside and it scuttled away
through the following woods.
'What will they think of me at
home when I don't come back?'
she wondered her dark eyes dan
cling as she. pictured their perplexi.
ty. They will probably decide
that l have executed my threat
and run away They little know
that FREELY is running away with
me-where | have no idea.'
But FREELY evidentlpnad a def.
mite 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.
Firefy cantered gaily into the
farm yard and coming to stand F..
still gave shrill whinny of salts
faction.
Il beg you to excuse me. My
pony brought me here. ] assure
you had nothing to DO with the
matter Madge laughingly apollo
gized. as they were confronted by
boy of about sixteen IN blue. Jean
overalls with very light hair which
contrasted oddly with his tawny
skin and small light eyes which
expressed all the amazement of
whic b they were capable.
The youth eyed the pony sharply,
then turst into loud guffaw of a..
musement
Its our oil pony that pap sold to
Mr.. Graham, down Riverside way o
while back. IL gets homesick and
comes back here when il gets a
chance. IL you let it stay an hour
or two iIll go back 10 town like
lamb
But what shall dog said Madge
In dismay.
'Hev some dinner with us prompt.
~ returned the boy. Were eoin' to
hsv comply TO d,nner.'
Madge thanked him and said che
would stsy-whereupon she was let
TO the kitchen snd Introduced TO
marin a large woman with expan-
sive crimson cheek.
I'm very GID IN see YOU dear
said Marin beaming an elusive well
come and you kin 90 right into the
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