The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-26

May from hers. The hail was coming
bigger and beat cruelty upon them. He
wrapped his slicker about her, pushed
the ponies close together and sheltered
her with them and his own body as best
he could
We won't die" he said; "but, poor
Htue gil. Wat an awful storm I've
dragged you out intol"
Just then, from the farther bank OF
the creek, above the awful bowling OF
the storm, came this intelligent command
In OLD man Loves ear-splitting tones
May Love! You come here to me this
minute?' And May laughed hystericaily
We'll, he can't get at us, anyway
but the hail can. o. look at your poor
hands, o. Bob. L can't bear it-put the
slicker back onr'
why. honey" said Bob, as the tears
came in earnest now. I'D get pounded
Just the same. anyhow: and you must
let me have the comfort of keeping some
OF IL or you-it amt a patchin' on the
way your pa would do me IL he could
get me right now"
While the storm ragged and the water
rose nearly 10 their feet. Hank Pearsall
had the almost exclusive benefit of old
man Loves remarks. since only his Wild
est shrieks reached the young couple.
who were too much absorbed in each
other to heed either him or the storm
very much.
These remarks disagreed with Mr.. Pear
sail. who was VIGOROUSLY a man of
judgment and observation.
What's the matter with that young
feller?' he quired angrily: watch him
a standin' TO the north'ard NV his gal.
a keepin' the hail often herl He aint no
hn ~,
through he'll make a better husband n
what you ever did"
About this time, the hail ceasing, the
expectant justice came down to the fur
ther bank of the arroyo, but its roar was
still considerable.
"Ho Bobp' yelled the justice, above its
sound. got your llcense?"
Bob took ii out and waved Il above
his head.
Old man Love could not from where
he stood hear a word. but ne surmised
what had been said, and the sight OF the
document was like a red rag to the bull.
II dare ye TO marry EN-" he screamed.
II dare we to do it, And I'm an ecstacy
of rage and anxiety he forced his pony
down into the foaming creek among the
whirling drift, where he was promptly
pitched off by the terrified creature, which
instantly returned. Pearsall, at the risk
Of his own life, had TO fish him out,
receiving plenty Of abuse for his pains
and returning it with bitter irony
In two minutes time the shallower ar
royo was fordable, though the or Elk, down
which big drift continued 10 come, was
not Bob set May on her pony, mounted
his own and prepared to ride out. The
sight of the justice-a plains cupid, with
boots, sllcked and cowboy hat-prepar-
ing to take charge OF the pair was too
much for old man Love, and, dismounted
as he was, he plunged, in delirium
of rage, into the creek, spluttering ana
yelling
"Stopl Hold on You Just dare"
May hesitated. frightened; but old Hank
Pearsall yanked her father out again
and set him on dry land, snorting.
"Doggone yel / pulled y out onct be-
forel What fur CANT ye stay out! Hum
!'When we try buckln agin boy like
that. backed by a Texas norther, you're
agoin' TO git left-dont we know it2 That
kids got a double cinche on Proverdunce.
But We had this hyer storm staked out!
Go II fellerl Go it gal! I'm with we
ever time-Pm fer YET Yer the rlght
sort / wouldn't hender We fer all me
burned old snake-bit fools i'm Texas. III
list gether up the scraps o. this ole eeJit
an tote 'em back to the ranch
And as May and Bob rode or. tattered.
beaten, draggled, but obviously biissiul
and jaunty, faint hail followed them.
Goodbye kids-wish yer joyi Come on
ole calamity" ALICE MACGpWAN'