Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-04-01

some CALLING truths about his age and
his penniless condition. concluding
with the cheerful Information that he
'reckoned Net he'd bout decided e
take up with Cottrell anyhow.
OF course Shorty was Respondent
but he was none the less determined.
'Faber I'm going to see her to NOR
row afternoon, and-and ask her.
The time and the hour favored
Shorty; but l hardly .hink Nettie
knew her own mind. The boy who
came riding slowly home through the
shadows next evening was q very
much downcast boy. indeed.
He told me all about it later; how
Nettie had wavered, and finally told
him that she could give him no answer.
She cared a great deal for him. she
said. but she was not sure she cared
enough for him. Besides her father
objected to him. and she could never
cross her fathers wishes. when he had
done SO much for her.
Sam Parker must have heard of this
interview. and made up his mind to
something. Although he was usually
SO good he was as determined
Us q bulldog. and / think he used
some influence in deciding matters,
for, two weeks later. he dropped in"
to tell Jack that Nettie and Cottrell
would be married on Thanksgiving
day. two months later.
Shorty must have seen news in my
face. for. after supper he drew rue
aside and asked what knew. hated
to tell him. but did SO. the besG way |
could. The poor lad stood still as
stone for several seconds. Then, with
shuddering sob he turned away. In
the morning he was gone, with his
horse and clothes. leaving no word.
Jack and Joe, the other brother
were much worried; but as Jack now
for the first time acknowledged. 1.-The
boy could take care of himsolf"
Jack and talked it over during the
day. and he expressed good deal of
regret thinking, however. that Nettie
had decided for herself. and that
Shorty had no one to blame for his
failure. If it had been different +"
he went on. and Percy had persevered
and won, | would have given in. and
/ think Parker would. too for next
year Percy will come into about fifteen
thousand. You see. I've never told
him of it. because | wanted him to
grow up on his own merits and be
self-reliant 1 think it has been
for the best. Joe never knew.
until he was of age. that he had any
thing and we didn't tell Percy of it
then, because he was only seventeen.
Joe put his money into the ranch here
and kept quiet about it"
1t was Wednesday of Thanksgiving
week, and there had been great
preparations at Parker's. The peo-
pie for miles around were invited to
the wedding. which, old Sam Flowed. :"
would be 'th bang-uppest thing they
ever he'd in tn kentry." l rode into
town to buy on behalf of Jack and
myself something to present to the
BRIDE elect In the posto lice. some
one tapped me on the shoulder.
turned. 1t was Shorty Fleming
Shorty with a handsome mustachc
and smiling quite happily.
How long before you're going
out?" he asked.
Right now"
Bully! Faber go and borrow a
horse until to-morrow-tell 'em yours
is lame. and you'll have to lead him.
Nobody has recognized me back of
this overcoat collar and tho hirsut Q
adornment and don't want 'om to.
I'll walk out and head up the road
Hurry up with the horses"
In about twenty minutes l was fol-
lowing him, riding horse had Dor :
rowed from my friend the DOCTOR and
leading my own. | soon caught up
with Shorty, and we hurried on.
Shorty showed me letter signed
'.Nettie. and proceeded to unfold
plan he had in mind, which. for the
quality of pure NERVE" had never
heard surpassed.
There was NOBODY at the house but
Manuel. the cook, and Shorty soon
had him sworn to silence, after which
ne proceeded to camp in the cold. lit
tie upstairs store room off my den,
where nobody could find him. Jack
was not to know of his presence. he
said. ''because Jack is 80 laundering
honest and persnickety, and would
squeal or spoil the job"
The half-hundred guests at Parker's
had been enjoying Thanksgiving day
to the full. All of Mrs. Parker good
things had been slowed away where
they would do the most good. The
minister from town was getting ready
for the ceremony. and the guests were
bustling about. amid some confusion,
trying to find the best points for OBJ
servation. Nettie Parker pale for
once, stood near the front door. pull
ing her fingers nervously. waiting sup
posedly. for her father
Some one knocked at the door Net
tie pulled it open, gave little cry,
grabbed mans hat from the back Of
n chair and an overcoat from peg
near By, and rushed OUT. slammiDg
the door. Everybody who saw the
performance stood still dazed Then.
as we heard horses hoofs Gathering
up the road. there was rush for the
outside, Up the road, disappearing
fast were two horses whose riders