The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-25

ing leap and tugge at the lines as if ask
ing for more liberty. Milton gave him
his head and laughed to see the great
limbs rise and fall like the pistons to an
engine, they swept over the weeds like
hawk Swimming the stubble of a wheat
field.
Get out O. the way or I'll run right
over your back" yelled Milton again.
TRY it," was the reply.
"Grab hold of me. Bette, and lean to
the right, when we turn this corner I'm
going to take the inside track and pass
'em.'
You'll tip us over -"
mo won'tl Do as l tell YOU"
They were nearing wide corner where
the road turned to the right and bore due
south through the woods. Milton caught
| sinht of the turn, gave quick twist of the
lines around his hands. leaned over the
dasher and spoke shrilly:
Cit out O. this, Mark ~"
The splendid brute swerved to the right
and made leap that seemed to lift the
sleigh and all into the air, the snow few
in such singing showers Milton could see
nothing. the sleigh was on one runner.
Keeling like a yacht in gale. the girl
was clinging to his neck, he could
hear the bells of the other sleigh to
his left. Mark was passing them: he
heard shouts and the swish of a whip; an
olher convulsive effort of the gray and
then Milton found himself in the road
again in the moonlight, where the appar-
emily unwearied horse. with head out
thrust, wide-piown nostril and body
squared. was trotting like a veteran on
the track; the team was behind.
"Stiddy, boyi'
Milton soothed Mark down to a long
easy pace, then turned TO Bette, who had
uncovered her face again.
How'd v like it?"
Il 1S
that. Ii I'd a known that you was goin'
Z drive like that | wouldn't "a come.
You're worse N Ed; | expected every
minute we'd be down in the ditch. But
oh! amt he jest splendid p she added,
in admiration of the horse.
Don't y want TO drive him?"
"Oh. yes, let me try. l drive our
teams"
She took the lines and at Millions sug-
gestion wound them around her hands.
She looked very pretty with the moon
shining on her face, her eyes big and
black with excitement. and Milton imme-
diate.y put his arm around her and laid
has head on her shoulder.
Milton Jennings. you don't"
Look out" he cried. in mock alarm,
don't you drop those lines" He gave
her 4 severe hug.
Milton Jennings. you let ga OF mel"
That's what you said before"
Take these lines"
Cant do it," he laughed, my hands
are cold. Got To warm them, secr" He
pulled Oft has mitten and put his icy hand
under her chin. The horse was going at a
tremendous pace again.
"ooooht Ii you don't take these lines
I'll drop EN-. so therel'
Don't YOU do iti' he called warninglv.
but she did and boxed his ears soundiy
while he was getting Mark in hand again
Bettle's rage was fleeting as the blown
breath from Marks nostrils. and W hen
Milton turned TO her again all was as If
his department had been grave and caya-
Ner.
The singing air made itself felt and
they drew close under their huge buffalo
robes as Mark strobe steadily forward
| The dark groves Tell behind, the clashing
bells marked the rods and miles and kept
time 10 the songs they hummed.
Jingle bells Jingle bells,
Jingle al the way,
Oh. " hat JOY il is Ia ride
In = Que horse open sleigh.
They overlook another laughing. sing
| ing load of young folks. A great wood
| sleigh packed full with boys and girls two
and two. Hooded girls and boys with
| caps drawn down over their ears.
4 babel OF tongues arose from the sweep
| ing. creakiug bob sleigh, rose into the
! silent air like a mighty peal OF laughter.
| \ schoolhouse set beneath the shelter of
| great oaks was the center OF motion and
| sound. On one side Of it the teams stood
| shaking their bells under their insufficient
| blankets. making soft chorus of music.
| heard in the pauSes of the merry shrieks
| Of The boys playing pom pom pulIaway"
| across the road before the house, which
| radiatei light and laughter. A group OF
| young men stood on the porch as Milton
| drove IN.
| Hello Milf, said a familiar voice as he
| refined Mark close TO the step.
| That you. ShepP"
| 'Chuss, ITS me. replied Shep
| How d you know ne so far OFF,"
Punt Don't y 'spose know that
| horse an those bells-Miss Moss. allow
| me"-he helped her out with elaborate
| courtesy. The supper and the old folks
| are here. and the girls and BOYS and the
| fun Is over 10 Dudley's." he explained as
he helped Bette cut