Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-09-21
BROUGHT TO TIME.

Jerry Sanborn wheeled his shining new
tandem out Of the wood shed and carefully
propped it against the piazza railing. Then
he strobe across the yard, shading his eyes
with both sunburned hands, and peered
intently at snug farmhouse nesting
against the neighboring hill.
"Iilly's got home from Sandport.
That's her pink gown a-fittin in an out Of
the garden. Now if | can only wheedle
her into takin mornin ride we'll see
who's master Of the situation Two years
now she's been putin me off in that be-
witchin way of her'n, and I'm tired of it.
hain't been spendin my winter eyenins
readin up about Napoleon Bonaparte and
General Taylor and all of them other de-
termined fellers for nuthin. I've been al
together too meachin. It's high time 1
put my foot down and made Tilly come to
reason, and I'm a-goin to do It'll"
Jerry set his jaws grimly, sprang
astride the saddle, whirled rapidly down
the winding road and soon presented him
self, cap in hand, at the door of the Nor
gan homestead. lilly herself appeared
promptly, her comedy face alive with dim
pies and her bright blue eyes dancing with
mirth
"Took run over to show you this new
machine O. mine" announced Jerry, with
sidewise wave of the hand
II saw you coming up the hill, Z" re-
sponded lilly demurely. "You looked for
all the world like big, long legged grass
hopper" with an irrepressible giggle
II only wish you darst try it bit and
see what an easy runnin concern it is, Z"
pursued Jerry, sudden flush mantling
his broad forehead and losing itself in his
curly locks. "But, Of course, 'twould be
risky, considerin you amt used to it," he
added alphabetically.
"Humph There's never been colt on
the place thatI couldn't bride and ride,
and 'tisn't likely I'm afraid of newfan-
gled continuance like that, replied lilly
loftily.
well, I s'pose you might try it, but l
warn you it's dangerous business" hest
tated Jerry. "You have to take in sail
Bit" with a critical glance at her newly
starched bingham. lilly darted up the
stairs and soon appeared in trim walking
skirt, with jaunty Tam O'Shanter pin
ned securely to her shining brown braids.
After few preliminary failures, she
was securely seated and the tandem glided
smoothly along the shady country road.
lilly sat erect, firmly grasping the handle
bars with her plump fingers and thorough
ly enjoying the novel experience.
"Pshaw! This is as easy as riding old
Roam to plow. Now I'm going home to
finish my ironing"
"No, you're not, lilly Morgan. You
won't go home until you have given a
plain answer to the question | have been
askin, off and on, for two years or more"
announced Jerry peremptorily, while his
heart thumped heavily against his ribs
and the roar of the Atlantic seemed surg
ing in his ears "Steady therel" as lilly
gave an indignant bounce that threatened
to capsize the wheel.
Jeremiah Sanborn, I'll never speak to
you again! There's Uncle Moses and
Aunt Debby and Dan out in their door
yard. I'll call for help as true as I live if
you don't stop this minute, scolded Tilly.
"They can't catch u.s. replied Jerry
coolly, gradually increasing speed.
Despite her valiant threat, lilly sailed
by the open mouthed trio with flaming
cheeks and downcast eyes.
There was long silence, while the tan
dem bowled merrily along. The perspira-
ton streamed from Jerry's crimson fore
head. The sun was mounting higher, the
road was UP grade, and Tilly was no light
weight.
Jerry" she faltered at length coaxing-
ly, "please take me homep'
you know the condition. Reckon
we'll reach Centeryille by noon at the rate
we're spinning" vouchsafed Jerry uncom-
promisingly.
Another prolonged silence
"Jerry!'
"Well?"
"What do you want me to say?"
II want you to name the day when you
will come and be mistress of the little
home I've had ready and waitin for you
for year and half said Jerry sternly.
lilly glanced about her uneasily. Far
IN the distance she could see the glittering
church spires of Centerville.
"This is too ridiculous, Jerry"
"Woll?"
"Will Juno Is suit you?'
Perfectly. Dislnount and rest in the I
shade for q few minutes, and will take
you home at once"
lilly meekly seated herself on grassy
rock beneath a huge oak and covertly
watched Jerry from beneath her long
lashes. He was apparently engrossed in
flecking every possible grain of dust from
the shining spokes of the tandem, but his |
eyes shone with triumphant light.
The long run homo was performed in |
dignified silence. 4
lilly sprang lightly to her feet. II (
think your just as III m mean as you can
be, Jerry Sanborn, she sobbed as she flew |
into the house and slammed the door
Safely inside, she hurried to the parlor
and peered through the blind. jerry with
erect head and shoulders squared was
speeding down the hill, his long legs per-
forming most extraordinary gyrations.
my, wasn't he masterful, though!
That's all l ever had against Jerry, he
was too tame. If said A, he had to say
b, and so on through the whole alphabet.
Now I'll get dinner out Of the way and
begin hemmng my table linen.
And with song on her lips lilly
whisked on a fresh apron, vigorously stir
red tho fire and darted down the cellar
stairs after tho potatoes. -Harion E. Pick
ering in Wheelwoman.