The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-02-12

Don't know that catch you. Dave"
mo, but I've cotch you. You sent
q Yankeefied insult over to Nell and I'm
going to maui you. She's distressed
nearly to death about it and wants me
10 whip you
Dave, the neighbors say that I'm
fool, but there are some things
wouldn't do. | wouldn't distress a girl.
| didn't send the thing, whatever it is"
well, if you say you didn't l can't
prove it and here am"
"Yes, and here l am too"
And that's all there is to it," said
Dave. "All can do is to go back and
tell her that you deny it,"
"Yes, unless you want to fight any
how. Feel sorter strange this morning
and might as well fight as not"
I'D rather fight than not if I've got
anything tc fight about" said Dave,
'but if yoc say you didn't send the
Yankeefied thing, why, it puts me out.
Good day"
Late that afternoon while Tab was
moping along a dreamy road, he met
Nell. She was riding, and violently she
Ieined up her horse, and with flashing
eyes she said: you ought to be
ashamed of yourself for sending me
that thing. Pap says it's pretty in
suit, but the most deadly insults can be
beautiful"
That amt It'd thought" Tab re-
piled. I'm almost tempted to say
sent it just to hear you express your
self. But didn't send it, SO you may
rest easy on that score. Dreamy day,
amt it? Down yonder saw bird
asleep, and | slipped by to keep from
waking him."
She flashed her eyes at him and rode
on. He resumed his dreamy stroll, and
a little further along he came upon
something that opened his eyes. On
a tree, written in red ink, was notice
reading as follows: 81 have obligated
myselfto shoutthe man that sent Yam
ieetied thing to Nell Brizentine." 1t
was signed, Dave Hutch. Tab looked
at it a long time and then moved on.
About an hour later as he was return
ing home, he was startled by loud
shrieks; and then dashed into view
Nell on flying horse. Tab saw that
the animal was running away; he saw,
too, that it was headed for bluff not
far off. In an instant his dreaminess
was gone. He was alive and fearless.
lie rushed out in front of the horse.
snatched the reins, struggled, and
stopped him, but he was badly hurt.
The girl in great fright ran home, leav-
ing Tab on the ground, and some of the
neighhors took him up and
bore him away. During two
days it was thought that he
could not get well, but he rallied and
the doctor said that he was on the road
to recovery. When he regained con-
seriousness Nell was sitting beside him.
He looked at her and then shut his
eyes. 81 thought it was a dream"
he said.
She smoothed back his hair and
smiled tearfully. "You saved my life"
she said.
Then l have done one good thing
along with the many bad ones"
"You never did anything very bad,
did you?"
Yes. but I'm sorry now"
but you never did anybody any
harm"
Yes, I'm afraid have. Is there any
body here but you?"
NO"
Then I'll tell you something. but
know you'll hate me for it. was down
TO town and saw something that was
beautiful. and bought it and brought
II home-and sent you the Yankeefied
thing"
lie shut his eyes, expecting to open
them and find her gone: but he felt
her warm lips upon his forehead. "And
the words I love you were written
acro.s my heart long ago" she said
but Dave?" he gasped.
81 could not learn to love him." she
said. "and to-day father told me that
needn't try any more. Dave told me
what YOU said about the crow. and was
angry because | wouldn't say you were
fool. Look" she cried as bird few
through the room. ~ bright thought
going out to Go good in the world"
OPIE READ