The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-08-25
BAPTIZED BY FIRE,


buffalo grass was then thickly matted,
brown and dry as powder. The night
had been gray and still and given
place to a skylike copper in the morn
Ing. and Il strange stiffness brooded
in the air.
had been giving orders for brand
ing d bunch of steers to send to the
lower range, and as | came up on, the
porch discovered Cap in her dingy
old riding habit sitting on the edge
swinging her feet and swapping d
quirt her pony browsing just in front
Of her. and beside her was Henry, the
owner of the big Home" ranch and
her attianced lover. His bride rein
was thrown over his arm. and he was
earnestly begging the girl to comply
with some request.
Please, Cappie yield to me this
time"
But I want the gloves and whip" ~
? 't'll buy you a gross of silver
mounted whips and a dozen Spairs of
Jouvin's best; import them especially
for the purpose, if you would give up
riding at the fair"
That would be a circumstance
wouldn't it:"' flashed Capitola Il
could shake them under Miss Oates
nose and say, There! just see what l
got for letting you win the prize No.
Hal, it isn't the gloves or the whip
but a mean little ambition that wish
to crafty. That woman called me a
hoyden. an uncu.tivated little heather.
and said | couldn't ride little bit. |
don't mind the hoyden and the heath
en-. 1suppose l am both. but l can
ride and mean TO do it..
Little girl you hurt me VIII en- you
Salk so thoughtlesoly.
And you hurt me cruelty" she
cried passionately, as she turned her
flashing eyes on him. Pm ashamed
to acknowledge how much l thought
you loved me. out you dent.
My dear little wild bird I love
you. | am twenty years older than
you are but never said that to wo-
man until | met you, I am graver
and quieter than you are, but I like
your sunny ways-your bright ma
ture My mother and sisters do not
know you as well as | do and they
want me to marry Miss Oates. They
area looking for flaws in my gem.
and l don't want them to have a
chance to think they have found one.
1t is such little thing l have asked
you" go.
" Never" Cap replied angrlly, as
she jerked her hands away y They
may take me as am or not at all. If
mamma had lived maybe 1 would
have been different-as prunes and
prlsms as Miss Oates possibly-but
I've only had dad. and he likes me
best as | am. l never would have
thought of riding at the fair. only
when we were all out horseback rid
ing one nignv after Miss Oates first
came she said purposely for me to
hear that 'sticking on" was not good
riding by any means and made fun of
my ld-fashioned'' riding habit.
And Caps tears splashed down on the
>dingy black calico
You are much prettier in it than
Miss Oates is in hers. "reJurned Henry
warmly.
oh yes" said Cap mockingly,
much prettier; but you don want to
see me match my skill against her
grace; but | will; and l will win the
whip and gloves so now.'
Then we will discuss the matter
no further"
'Adios, then. senior until this
afternoon and remember she called
as she vaulted on Bret's back and
turned TO GO latter to day l mean to
show that dad has as much money as
anybody. ! don't care for dress. but
if you do you shall be pleased" and
with q saucy kiss from her finger tips
she rode away
When afternoon came the fair
grounds were crowded. Half a dozen
young ladies in prim black and blue
cloth habits, chimney pot hats. long
gauntlets and wells. which they wore
then. were gathered near the judges
stand and their escorts were chatting
with them, waiting the order to clear
the ring
Where is your Lady Gay Spanker,
Henry?" asked his sister Us he drove
up with his mother. Henry frowned
slightly but before he could answer
a little buzz, of comment called tie
attention of all as Capitola rode up
unattended. She wouldn't even let
me ride my old cob beside her, so ]
was there before her in the buggy.
Her slender black mare was as met.
tlesome as could be- and tossed her
long name and tail impatiently as she
obeyed that little hand. with it's touch
of velvet and GRIP of steel Cap was as
slim and willowly as cottonwood sap.
+ ling, in her close fitting black velve
habit She had put up all her curl:
under little black velvet hat. around
which was a long black Ostrich
plume
Miss Oates looked like a thunder
cloud. She had expected to see III,
child on her little mustang and in tn,
old black calico habit skirt she usual
ly wore. Henry smiled and went t,
her instantly with loving word, an,
/ knew the clouds had disappearet
for time.
The tournament began: up an,
4 J. . h . ! + ! III i