Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-09-05
RITTER
[Cnnrrlrht. 1S05.l


"Thc or-r-mcntincst gal that ever did
live that's whut she is, that 'Rittcrp "
Mrs. Lane said of her bound girl to all the
people who came in. " 'Tain't that she s
real mean" she was wont to add. "Jcst
mischccvous, an no dependence in whut
she's at. Fust an last she gifts the days
work all done, but We CANT never tell fer
yer life when nor how she's doin any part
o. it,
Notwithstanding, Lon wilkins was
mighty anxious to havc her, work or no
work. He would even have undertaken
to do her share rs well as his own. What
were poverty, orphanage, tricksy ways set
over against eyes as full of sunlit change
as April skies yellow floss slken hair, q
cleft rosebud mouth and cheeks where
aimplos played at hide and seek with wild
rose bloom? In Lens mind nothing what
ever He was "a stout, good naturcd fell
low, slow wittcd and heavy of foot, solidy
steady, prosperous and easy going Any
other girl-any sensible one, that is
would have said yes and thank you when
he came a-wooing.
Not SO Ritter Sho floutcd him, Knocked
pt him, kept him on pins and needles. But
30 long as she did not utterly ignore him
the good simple fellow made himself con
tent The Lane farm lay broadsidc 10 his
own. He could note whatever went on
there. He had begun to love Ritter as soon
as she set foot upon it, IA shy, misc hieyOus
slip Of Il child, just turned 10. "You'll
como and be my little wife when you're Is
and free, " he had said to her then. Though
he was ten years the elder, he had never
given up the plan.
Even then Ritter was Ritter. 81 don't
think | care about it, - she had said, lock-
ing up at him with serious, round eyes.
"You are SO big and awkward, l think
you would be n heap in the way. But
then, you We got nice house and horses
and things. Mrs Lane says all men are
trials. Maybe you woudn &c more than
a trial and half, and | reckon | could
stand that if you let me do as please"
So she had dealt with him throughout
She lacked but three months of freedom
now. Mrs Lane had frcttcd continually
to SEQ "thinEs settled Mrs. Lane was a
diplomat. All that week she had been very
easy with Ritter Saturday she brought
her, when she came from town, a sky blue
silk, rich and lustrous, with plentiful
white lace for trimming. She gave her,
too, couple of golden eagles.
I'VE want you ter nold your head up
'mongst the best of 'em--ine an Lane, "
she had said, dropping the money in the
girls rosy palm. Tho good woman had
found out that for all her wildness Ritter
answered the breath of kindness rs tho
wind harp to the wind. All the evening
the Sunday-she was careful to rouse no
antagouism, but to let tho girl see some
part of the love she felt. So IL is not sur
prising that when upon Sunday afternoon
Len spoke with fear and trembling, in good,
set terms, he got a definite promise and
went away trcading on air.
a month he was happy as it is rarely
given mortals to be. Then Il shadow fell
n slim, elegant shaduw--as tall as Morgan
Ware and reaching as high as Ritter S
heart. At least Len thought so and in so
thinking found torture. IT was natural.
he told himself, they were made for each
other, those two. Morgan was young,
1.-the, full Of gay wit. He could dance to
match Ritter and her foot was as thistle
down. No wonder he took her fancy, call
ed n light to her eyes that had shone there
for no other.
He came Of good stock too. His grand
father Morgan had been sort of king of
the countryside Young Ware bad como
to live with him now that lie was old and
blind, and upon all sides it was the talk
that he gavo the old man IA sons full duty.
Still he spent half his time with Ritter
teasing talking to her, following her about
her household tasks. Len found him at
her elbow, trying to teach her pet pigeon
to sit upon hi finger tip, when he came
across world green ana pulsing with May
blood, to say something of Hateful import tc
both.
"Rittcr," lr said when he had sat heav-
lily down, "Eittcr, You won't git mad
with mc-you Il keep friends with me, no
matter whit comes, won't you?'
"Why, who are you goin to kill?' Ritter
asked, laughing or do You want to rob
somebody or run of with stock"
"No; IL jest want ter act the fool.
Yes, the plumb cjiut, Len returned. AN
got ter do it this ;e-way: I'm goin ter
ask you ter gimme back my word Come
ter study bout it, don't see how l can
stand being married man. l been comm
over here so long o. sundays, don't seem
like | could stay at home.
Ritter had listened, going red and white.
Before she could speak young Ware broke
in with sparkling eyes. "ltitter, darling!
| may speak now Before you would not
let me. IL love you-better than lifo''-
1.-The Lordy mercy pom my soul" Mrs.
Lane said, dashing in upon them to sink q
ilaccid heap in the rocking chair, "To
think ! should live ter see hit-all poor
Lens stock an crap an house an land put
up mt sheriff sale ter pay security debts
On, thar ain t no mistake! Lane jest now
met the sheriff. Poor Len! Why, here he
is! didn't SEQ you. l wuz that illustrated
didn't sec nothin."
Il see several things" Ritter said softly.
Then she went up to Len and laid her head
on his breast.
Il won't 20 with the rest, she said
You may try to send me off, but you
must have me if you never have anything
else, "
MARTHA MCCULLOCH WILLIAMS.