The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-03-03

lie paused, and deep flush suffused
his features.
"Wal, yer see, was spoons on Net.
tie bit ago. But when l discovered
that some job had been on atwixt Nc.
Pherson an Net, an that she thought
more o. MCPHERSON than she did O.
me, l lassoed my feelin's an kept 'em
from runnin' villa / never knew quite
just what was on between them two.
McPherson had been at Marquands
fer a month or so, when Nettie come
along and asked the old man if he
needed wimmin help about the place.
She was sort o. run down at the heel,
an said she had no friends, so the old
man took her in. Miss Millie took
sort O. fancy to her, an she's been
workin' up ut Freeborn's ever since.
zone night, while was spoons on
Net, l seed her leave the house, an
foller the path to the little pastur' lot.
Thar l see MCPHERSON waitin'. When
Net come up to where he stood he
cussed her an told her to be off. She
didn't go, but dallied around him for
a while, tryin' to hug him, an tellin'
all the things she had given up fer him.
He answered her sort O. gruff like, an
then turned away an left her. Net
went back to the house, and bimeby 1
see Miss Mile go out doors an' run
down to the pastur' jest as Net had
done. Thar stood Mcpherson ag'n,
mn they walked up an down the
prairie for nigh hull hour in the
Moonlight Wal, since them
Here Tom paused, for we had both
marked the approach of Freeborn.
The old man surveyed us kindly.
Then he advanced and laid his hand
on my shoulder.
'Dick, my lad, yer wont be much
use out here tonight, fer yer look
clean tuckered out already. 1 want
ter send message ter my Millie.
She'll be worryin' about me bit,
reckon, an it'll make her mind easy.
Will yer take it?"
Certainly" l replied.
Eyer amt got no paper, hev yer ?"
"No, but 1 will remember what you
tell me-.
The old man hesitated and looked
thoughtfully into the fire.
LCil hSiS hO bSShHs SlOWlyy b6ll
her, Dear Millie.' Got that, now."
eyes," replied with a smile that
was unperceived.
"'Dear Millie, the COWS hev been a
calvin fine. Marquand tried to swipe
a lot, but it want no go. I'm feelin
fine. From your lovln' dad
l repeated the message to his entire
satisfaction.
"Thats all right, my lad, and now
be off, ''But, wait q minute"
He paused and took q brand new
silver dollar from his pocket and put
it to his lips.
"Here Tell Millie kissed it twice
where the woman is. She'll know
what 1 mean"
turned away, and, after selecting
a fresh pony, rode off toward the
ranch.
1t was beautiful moonlight night,
and as 1 sped along the trail the words
OF the simple message still sounded in
my ears, but as my heart warmed to.
ward the affectionate father began to
feel certain misgivings concerning my
reception by his daughter at the
ranch. Tom Baxter's warning was
still fresh in my mind, and something
within me told me L would be too late
to avert an impending calamity. 1
thrust my spur further into the side
of my pony, and fastened faster on
my way.
At length the moonlight enabled nae
to discover, about mile distant, the
group of buildings on Freeborn's
ranch. Once more urged my weary
animal to fresh burst of speed and
was RAPIDLY nearing my destination
when l heard the hoof-beats of ap-
preaching horses. Peering searchingly
in front of me saw two riders-a man
and a woman.
No sooner had / made the discovery,
however, than | was conscious of the
fact that !, too, was perceived and that
it was the intention of the riders to
avoid me. They turned abruptly to
the right and started eastward across
the unbroken prairie ground. In q
moment was after them.
That the horse woman before me was
no other than Mildred Free born l was
assured. She was mounted on u feet
Kentucky thoroughbred that had been
the gift of her father. Her COM
panion, who was unknown to me, was
mounted on Texas pony. Both ami
mails were fresh, and 1 was on the
point of abandoning the chase as hope.
less when perceived that difference
had arisen between Mildred and her
companion. The young woman seemed
disposed to draw rein and await my
approach, while her companion ap-
peared, by his gestures, to urge her to
greater haste. Her woman's will at
length prevailed, however, and, as l
drew more near they stopped their
horses and turned the heads of the
animals in my direction.
Upon arriving at the spot where
they awaited me, l reined in my ex-
hausted horse and raised my hat. The
salutation was acknowledged by the
pale-faced girl to whom it was ad-
dressed, but as observed her closely
1 saw that she hung her head.
'Miss Mildred, l am the bearer of a
message from your father" 1 SAID
ooldly. "Will you receive it here ?"
She nodded, and leaping from my
horse l walked toward her and paused
beside her stirrups. Then 1 repeated
the simple message that her father had
bade me deliver and placed the silver
I H.. l. L.