Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-12-23

PSfnupS II VIII De pest Tor ME not
t. wait until he takes such heroic
measures, but marry Mr.. Featherstraw
al once" said the Young Person, with
a CLINT of coquetry in her eye.
"Evelyn!"
He does not abuse my father and
call him names
20, is that all? l could love your
father if he would give me half a
chance. Now, dearest, tell me the
head and front of the offerding."
He says you own string Of race
horses.
"A string! o, he has heightened
Viceroy into string, has he? Then
il racing horses is crime, why did
he buy my tleetest racer, the pick of
my stables?"
ITO keep him from the turf and
make good roadster of him, he says.
Another exhibition of his cranky
seltishness Had l known he was
bought for the colonel, would not
have sold him. | would have given
him to you, had l dared"
She looked up at him with shining
eyes. They had wandered to rustic
bridge in a secluded part Of the little
park which bordered on Col. Whit
tons estate, but was separated from
it by thicket of catalpa trees, whose
long pods waved in the cold air like
spectral fingers of warning, The girl
was bright and natty in red jacket
edged with fur and a soft gray Tam-o'-
Shanter that only half hid her bronze
brown hair. She was a charming
specimen of new type-the domesti-
Gated athletic girl.
Her lover compared we'll with the
average young man who has had no
chance to develop into hero. The
cleanliness of his life showed in his
face. Such a man on the race track
raises it to level with the best ma
tional sports, but he could not soften
the prejudices of Col. Whltton, who
believed horseracing sinful, although
he loved to own a fleet horse-and
hold him in. He had bought Viceroy
for two reasons-one that he might
make his neighbors envious, the other
to crow over Hovey, who, he believed,
must be selling the animal from need
of money.
The fact was that Hovey having had
his fling on the track was satisfied
with his conquests and was relinquish-
ing the sport Possibly with the mo-
tive-not an unworthy one-of concil-
iatIng Evelyn's father.
He was now holding her two dear
hands in his and saying:
Its beastly shame, that's what
it is, and if you would only say the
word I'd run away with you and bring
you back as Mrs. Ralph Hovey, and
then your father would sing small.
Evelyn withdrew her hands.
Ralph she said firmly, never
hint at such a thing again; if you do
will will"
Throw me over and marry Jack
Featherstraw, | suppose.
She lifted her f.nd eyes to his and
his heart melted as he saw the sor-
row in them.
I'm a brute" he said cheerfully.
Never mind me- Evelyn. | dare say
I'll get over it. Fellows mostly do, but
it's hard lines when you've done
nothing to deserve it,"
1T will be Christmas tomorrow and
we must put all bitterness out of our
thoughts" suggested Evelyn.
Preach that TO the colonel" said
Ralph sayagely, and his brutality en-
titled him to another reprimand and
another blissful reconciliation which
would have embarrassed any specta-
tor. But Of these there were none but
the crows.
: If | could send you a Christmas
gift. what would you like best?" asked
this inconsequent Young Person, max
ing step in the direction OF home.
There's only one gift in the world
for me" paraphrased Ralph in such a
lugubrious tone that his sweetheart
was moved to mrth. In that mood
she turned to go.
"Good-by, DEAR" she said. gently; u
cannot come here again. Papa would
be so angry If he knew. ! am going
home to help the children with their
Christmas carols, and towards evening
we are going to the nurseries to get a
Christmas tree"
ITS wonder that he lets you have
a Christmas tree" said Ralph
gloomily.
Then he walked with her to the edge
Of the wood and when she had crossed
the rustic stile stood and stared after
her, not caring II whole regiment OF
colonies saw him.
When Col. Wilton entered his
home at noon he found his daughter
Evelyn looking as demure as young
saint, instructing the Juveniles OF the
family In their Christmas music.
When they had finished he asked her
to sing something for him; a compli-
ment he often paid her, for he was as
gallant as courtier to this beloved
daughter. Her mother. now an invalid,
had been the Saul to charm away his