The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-10-28
Sep25 2y

ways auufeSS DaDlGS ana aulLldIS.
He seemed quite won by these atten-
tons, and Mary was charmed. She rose
and walked about, calling him to her.
He followed obediently, and she began
TO think seriously of buying him from
the farmer to take back with her for
a pet, when suddenly something sent
him into panic. He started back and
ran around and around her, frightened
her half out of her senses, and before
she realized what was happening Mary
found herself wound up tightly with the
calf and the rope and the stake. AT first
her sense Of the ridiculous got the better
of her terror, and she laughed aloud at
the Oddly of her position. But in a mo-
ment she saw its awkwardness and hope
Iessness as well, and she struggled to
free herself, while the poor calf, i'll blind
bewilderment, ran to and fro, drawing
the tangle tighter and making escape
less possible.
AT this critical moment a cool, well
bred voice behind her broke in. Good
evening, Miss Grinncll," it said as po-
iitely as if she had been walking down
Fifth avenue instead of in such all alb
surd plight. All, me! The pink lined
parasol was nowhere in comparison with
the blush those few words brought out.
ooh, RObr" she cried. Save me.
Where did you come from? Can't you
take ne away from this dreadful beast?
Not until you answer me the Ques
ton l asked you the other night. Do
you think it was right to run away ard
leave me in the lurch as you did, with
no address, and did you suppose l should
not hunt you up directly? No, Mary.
Come, which is it to be-yes or no?
will drive away the calf whichever it is,
other at once"
The young man had not smiled, al
though the picture was funny enough to
have sent n stole into fits of laughter
poor Mary, flushed and fearful, fastened
up against the stake, with her white
ruffles crushed and ruined, and the in
nocent calf, pinioned at her side, still
fastening his big, wistful eyes upon her
face.
ooh, Rob-" she said again, lyon know
meant yes all the time. We women
always do when we say no."
Well, they forgot all about the poor
calf. Hours later they strOlled in to
supper, having cOnfded in Aunt Matil-
da, who bestowed a blessing upon them
and announced in majestic tones to the
HinlIleys the arrival of her niece's fance.
HE may be fyansay," thought Mrs.
Hinkley to herself, holding sagely, but
if he amt keeping company with her 1
miss my guess"
Somehow the supper did not strike
,1,g,1f,11 hot
night. The farmer thought he had
never seen a girl so pretty before, and
tried to make conversation.
Mother" he said, what do you
think! You know that calf of Spotty's
that was fastened upon the hill? WAL
VOW eff the critter hadn't contrived to
git onhitched somehow or other, and
there twas strollin round down the
road. Lone Briggs man fetched it
back this aft'noon.- Curious, amt it?'
"Why, want you up on the hill, Miss
Grinneli?' asked Mr.. Hinkley sud
denly. You didn't see nothin of the
calf, did you, while you was there?"
''Well, it seems to me did see one
when first reached the top, but don't
remember noticing it when l came
down." said Mary, dimpling and laugh
ing. The young man laughed too.
81 guess twas scaret. l guess them
f1ounces and FUNNY diddles scaret it."
Mr.. Hinkley's great bulk shook with
amusement. He found himself a real
wit. Neither Horace Walpole nor
George Selwyn ever felt any greater
satisfaction in bonmot.
II guess they did responded Mary,
and the whole table laughed again.
There is something contagious i'll reck-
less happiness.
That night Aunt Matilda finished
Monsieur Fred" by the student lamp,
and Mary sat out on the piazza again.
The moon peered through the pine
boughs, too, but this time it wore
smile, while the cricket and the whip
poOrwill had tuned their monotony TO
major key. Yet still there hung over
all the stiffness which was not a stiffness
after all, and Mary cried herself to sleep
again. But this time she cried with
happiness. Chicago Post.