Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-12-17

met him. He will have that forty
miles ride to Prairie Run for nothing,
unless l send word that l can't meet
him. Sorry too, for if we could have
the chance, we would secure big
thing. But as can't go, Mary will
have to tell him.
But James,, began Mrs. Benton,
and was then Interrupted by Mary
saying:
Never mind, mother, I can and
will go, If 1t is fathers wish
That's the way to talk, my little
GIRL said the farmer approvingly. If
you would talk in that style about
Tim, I'd
Just then Farmer Benton saw a
sharp fash IN his daughters eyes,
which told him he would better de-
sist, and, without another word, he
limped out of the house. In less than
FIVE minutes, Mary was seated on her
pony and dashing toward the new
shallow Republican, which she soon
forded. She had ridden several miles,
when she saw lone horseman about
a half-mile to her right. Even at
that distance She recognized the form
of the man whom, above all others,
she detested--Tim Pickem, the ranch
er. He was making for the trail she
was following and she saw, with dis
may, that she might have his COM
pany. Pickem soon came out in the
trail ahead Of her and halted to await
her approach, As she drew near, he
lifted his sombrerro and said, with a
smile intended to be captivating:
Good morning, Miss Benton
Good morning sir she returned
curtly.
Pardon my inquisitiveness, said
Pickem with bland smile, 'but may
| ask where you are going this cold
day?' To Mowers on an errand for
father, she answered.
How lucky that you came along
when you did, for / am going within
FIVE miles Of there, and we can keep
each other company
Mary made no answer, but thought
their meeting unlucky, rather than
otherwise.
4 understand that your father in
tends purchasing another drove of
cattle, said Pickem after an awkward
pause.
He did think of such thing, but
has concluded not to do so.'
Il hope to be in shape to buy anoth.
er lot myself, someday,' said Pickem.
When l do, I shall give up my job at
the ranch and move to my own place.
But, he added with keen look at the
girl by his side, 1T will be lonesome
for me to live alone
Mary was again silent and so she
renamed during the greater part Of
the distatance. She was greatly re-
lieved when Pickem left the trail, land
she was suffered to 60 on alone.
1t was three o'clock when she start
ed for home, but the distance was
only twenty-five miles, her pony was
rested the sun shone clear and she
was confident Of reat b ng home by
nightfall
Pickem had expressed the hope that
she Mary would have the plumb
pudding done to turn when he
called to dine with them ON the mol :
row.
Vexed to think that Pickem had
usurped Hary's place in her fathers
affections, Mary determined to make
haste and call on Harry that evening.
So she urged her pony into a smart
gallop. Suddenly he stumbled and
fell, throwing her out of the saddle.
She was unhurt and quickly scram-
bled to her feet. The pony also re-
gained his feet and stood waiting for
his mistress. A prairie dogs nest
had caused the mischief Mary was
surprised and chagrined, to find that
her pony could scarcely walk, having
strained the pastern joint Of his right
fore leg. She urged him on how
ever, and he could move along on