Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-11-21
He saw that her horses were runnin0

-" dy.
There had been no alarm in Isabel'a
lace, though she was holding the reins
with all her strength, and had looked
neither to the right nor the left as she
passed him. If there was one thing
more than another that the Holder
mans prided themselves in, it was their
knowledge of good horses and splendid
craftsmanship.
Isabel Hilton's love of horses and her
daring in driving them had been one of
the first things that had won Clint's
admiration. Her control and courage
now appealed to him tremendously.
HIS own horses seemed to have caught
the spirit of the runaway pair ahead,
as they Jew along over the snow after
them.
Clint knew that at any momen Isa-
bels slight arms might lose the power
to hold those tense reins so securely,
and the horses dash to one side and
the crash come, and there was nothing
he could do. On went the cutter ahead
OF him, svvaying to the left and he
right, but still keeping the road. The
bridge across the Iowa river was lust
ahead, Clint thought of the bridge
with terror. If the cutter swaved to
one size, as 1t was doing now, the crash
would come on entering.
lie saw Isabel's strength tightening
on the reins, and knew that size felt
the danger.
her horses flew up the slight incline
to the bridge, and Clint braced his
nerves to withstand the shock. But to
his anazement he aw that the horses
were slowing up, and entering the
bridge with all the respect of we'll
trained horses; and by the time they
were over the frozen current below
they Were walking as quietly as though
they had decided Oh that point as the
end of their excitement.
CEnt entered the bridge as Isabel
was leaving It. She drove out to one
side OF the road and waited for him to
come up to her. III let you go on
ahead of me now, if you want to- she
called out, as he stopped.
Look here" Clint called nacl. did
you think of those horses stepping at
the bridge that way, I'd like 10 know"
Yes; didn't you? knew Il ey might
not, but l thought they would if |
could keep them in the road. Didn't
you think of their doing it?''
We'll, no. l had something else to
think about" he answered, looking at
her admiringly.
1sabers face flushed, bat she looked
at him smiling.
u wasn't AFRAID as long as the road
was clear, but l should have lost all
courage if l had seen a team coming"
"Talkof pluck" Clint said, driving a
little nearer to her cutter. Isabel.
what did you think Of last night?
What did You think of ne, ~anyuay?'
she drove ont into the road ahead of
him, and then looked back over her
shoulder, laughing. u thought if YOU
had only waited half an hour longer |
would have been eighteen. 1t is nv
birthday to-day. I'm OF age" And
with that she touched her ponies with
the whip, and kept we'll ahead of him
all the way to the village.
When they met again, it was before
the fire in the sitting-roon at the bric!,
house, where they had held the hours
the night before. But the contest with
the judge had lost It's seriousness.
Between them he sat, i1nperturbable.
as he had sat the night before; but to-
night he was only an amusing barrier.
and not a serious obstruction. Love
had ieaped the bounds and was free.
1t triurnphed in their eyes as they
looked across him, and over him, smil-
ing knowingly at each other.
We're gong to have adapce over at
our house Saturday weeIxnad an oys-
ter supper. 1t is going to be a cele bra
ton of a great event rim sour family"
Clint announced, with a meaning res-
ture to Isabel.
What's the event you're celebrat-
ing" h judge asked, looking over his
spectacles,
We'll, that's something If a secret
until tomorrow. hope can ten you
then. You must be sure end come.
We're going to have a great0Eimea.",
The judge looked at Isabel. "Doyou
think we can go, my dear?n
Her cheeks were rosy. "sNVhy, yes. l
should think we could, father
"Thank you, then. We'll come" the
judge said, leaning back in his chair
and looking at the ceiling. 'And now
would you like to play that game of
chess we didn't have last night?'
1t was evident he had no intention
of giving up the field. Clint did not
answer. lie was not rs fearless of the
judge as he had supposed. His heart
throobad exeitedly.
Isabel pressed her hands togethe,
hard and looked into the fire. The
clock licked loudly, emphasizing the
silence.
Finally the judge brought his ewes
from the ceiling, and looked at the
young man.
Didn't you hear what l said to
your" he asked, running his hand
through his forelock and grasping the
arm of his chair.
Yes, sir, did" said Clint respect |
fully.
"IVell, then?"
IF you'll allow me to say it. sir, 1
think I've won the game already"
whats that?'
81 believe, sir, I've won the game"
The judge glared at him for a mo-
ment, and then his eyes fell on Isabel.
He looked from one to the other.
The ticks of the clock seemed to
choke each other.
"Well, my boy" he said, drawing a
deep breath-the tears had started to
his eyes-'I don't know but you have"
lie held out his hand. Il don't know
but you have, my boy" |
THANK o sir, thank you" !
her father reached the other hand to |
Isabel, and stood up and drew her into |
his arms, then pushed her from him, |
and crossed the room to the door lead |
ing into the hall.
Isabels eyes followed him lovingly. |
lie turned and looked back at them
and smiled.
We'll, children, I'm feeling a little
tonight" he said, land 1 think.
If you'll be kind enough to excuse me,
III go to bed"