The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-01

but hardly think Nettie knew her own
mind The bow who came riding slowly
home through the shadows next evening
was a very much downcast boy, indeed
He told me all about 1t later; how Nettie
had wavered, and finally told him that she
conld give him no answer. She cared
great deal for him, she said, but she was
not sure she cared enough for him. Be-
sides. 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 IN
terview and made up his mind to some
thing. Although he was usually so good
patured. he was as determined as a bull
dog and think he used some influenced IN
deciding matters, for, two weeks later, he
dropped in" to tell Jack that Nettie and
Cottrell would be married on Thanksgiv-
ing day, two months later.
Shorty must have seen the news in my
face, for. after supper, he drew me aside
and asked what / knew. | hated TO tell
him. but / did so, the best way could.
The poor lad stood still as stone for several
seconds Then, with q 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 himself"
Jack and talked 1t over during the day,
and he expressed good dea. 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 diff
ferent," he went on, land Percy had per-
severed and won, would have given in,
and l think Parker would too, for next
year Percy will come in TO about nfteen
thousand. You see, I've never told him
of it, because | wanted him to grow up
on his merits and be self-reliant. / think
it has been for the best. Joe never knew,
until he was of age, that he had anything,
and We didn't tell Percy of it then, be-
cause he was only seventeen. Joe put his
money into the ranch here and kept quiet
about it."
He sat silent for minute, then con-
tinued: ''0f course, this is between our
selves. But-do You know. / wish the
boy had won. He's good deal of man,
and, now l come TO think of it, the affair
has hit him hard. They could have waited
couple of years, yon know" And Jack
walked off, slowly. taking long whitis at
his pipe.
Several weeks passed, during which l
saw Nettie Parker several times. She
seemed different. Her laugh was not the
Jolly laugh | had been accustomed to
hear, and she seemed pensive az times.
Was it her approaching wedding, Or
II was SHORTY. Dut,
somehow, when people pine they seem to
lose color and get thin, and Nettie Parker
did neither. And still no word from
, Shorty, and the day for the wedding only
a week away.
1t was Wednesday of Thanksgiving
week, and there had been great prepara-
tons at Parker's. The people for miles
d dFOgnd ~S SsIs 1 ola sa sD the ssd
W would be 9TH bang A nppest '0s thing
they ever he'd in TIL kentry." I rode
into town TO buy, on behalf of Jack and
myself, something to present 10 the bride
elect. In the postofice some one tapped
me on the shoulder. l turned. 1t was
Shorty Flemiug-Shorty with a handsome
mustache and smiling quite happily.
How long before you're going out?"
he asked.
Right now"
Bully, Faber, go and borrow horse
until tomorrow-tell 'em yours is lame and
you'll have to lead him. Nobody has rec
ognized me back of this overcoat collar
and the hirsute adornment, and don't
want 'em to. IN walk out and head up
the road. Hurry up with the horses"
In about twenty minutes / was follow
ing him, riding a horse / had borrowed
from my friend the doctor, and leading
my own. l soon caught mp 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" l had never
heard surpassed.
There was nobody at the house but
Manual, the cook, and Shorty soon had
him sworn 10 silence, after which he pro-
ceeded to camp in the cold little upstairs
store-room on my den, where nobody
could find him. Jack was not to know of
his presence, he said, because Jack Is so
nd s~t-
would sQueal or spoil the Job"
The hali-hundred guests at Parker's had
been enjoying Thanksgiving day 10 the
full All OF Mrs. Parker's 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 busting about, amid some
confusion, trying 20 ind the best points
for observation Nettie Parker, pale for
once, stood near the front door, pulling
her fingers neryously, waiting supposedly,
for her father.
Some one knocked az the door. Nettie
pulled il open, gave = little cry, grabbed a
mans hat from the back Of chair and an
oysrccat from u peg near hv, aud rushed
out. slammlng 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 out
side, Up the road, disappearing fastwe~e
two horses, whose riders were evidently in
a hurry. There was another rush-this
time for the stables-led by old sam
Parker. They had been nailed M, very
securely, by person who was at tina: mo-
men; making hypocrisieal efforts 10 get
one Of them open.
When they finally succeeded in mount
ing two or three men for pursuit, the run
sways had tAree or four miles start At
this JQncture. CotIrell, as cool as if he had
u .t..s :. l.
1lng. came up and spoke quietly 20 old
Parker, Who was 50 daZsd that he had no.
opened his mouth so lar.
The old man started. BY CORY, Nor
rs. msbee Ghet's erect. No use yOwhn'
over split milk. Came on, boys" And
they rode of, but not very rapidly.
Il tod the old gentleman, remarked
Cottrell - me. as we turned toward the
house, that /; was no use trying TO head
them of, They II be married inside OF an
hour Then, IN a tone that contained no
trace Of bitterness. he continued;
1t i tar better - have happened now
IhaO-than later. An2-&s il isl think
maybe there will De only one unhappy
person instead Of three" TAat was Nor
ris tottrell, philosopher and man.
Mr.. and Mrs. Percival Fleming were
met st ths Justices ofsios by old sam Par
ker, who remarked: "Wa-al. swowi Yew
air a nsrVy boy! Ain't We both ashamed
on'te"
NJ. they were not; and. SITTER Nettie had
had a good cry IN her fathers arms. the
TGnaNays were escocse3 back 70 the Par
ker ranch IL receive the congratulations
IF their friends, foremost among NaoEa
was Morris COtGreu f. l. kErcHUN.
New York symphony Club,
Mr.. L. B. Duncan, of CHICAGO, writes the
following with reference TO the New York
SytnrhsnnS tluh Who ara ~ NAV - - =,