Arizona republican., 1899-01-04
STORY OF THE
 SHEpPERTON FERRY

It was beautiful frosty morning in December. A lady, wearing a pink complexion and a gren riding habit was in her saddle. Captain Millsr rode | beside her. They were hurrying to catch the 11:15 from Haybridge fol Aldershot
 We have only one chance" he cried. ''Sheppsrson ferry
 ITO the right" she replied. as her mare swung round the turning ! They dashed along the road together, their horses hoofs ringing on the hard road. The poplars on either side of the hedge seemed to fly past H5r cheeks were pink and her blue eyes bright with excitement.
 We have only twenty minutes" he said.
 "Then WE shan't do it!" she exclaim- ed almost iercely, raising herself in her saddle. There is the ferry" Captain Miller leaped from his sad dle, and, taking the horses heads, led them on to the great unwieldy ferry boat, as butchers cart came off it.
 Quick over,'' he shouted to the ferryman. We want to catch the 11:15 from Haybridge."
 Whats the time now, sir?"
 Nearly eleven
 The ferryman looked across the river. "Lor', sir, you're about as likely to catch that train as I am to become champion sculler next regatta Why it hardly ai1't worth while putting cur selves out a-trying."
 The lady produced her smiles and green purse lined with red leather and white satin. Out of this came half sovereign, which she slipped into the ferryman's receptive fingers in her most ingratiating manner.
 "'These are bit uncommon, lady" said the ferryman, slipping the gold into his pocket Bill, wake up at your end. We've got to make this ere old boat move along
 And they did, too.
 The horses tossed their heads in the air and roll5d their eyes, nervouslJ champing their bits and shaking their brides. Captain Miller, holding both the reins in one hand, looked again at his watch.
 Shall we do lt?" she asked, anx- iously.
 He did not answer in words, but the expression of his face clearly said: No"
 Bet you we shall" crisd the lady, brightly.
 What will you bdt?'
 Her voice dropped to a low tone as she answered, but low though her voice was, she spoke with the utmost inten- sity.
 What will bet? My hand, and my heart, and my life
 ''If that be ths. stake" said Captain Miller, well catch the train.'
  again. she said, Joking at the jewelled watch upon her wrist Help me up''
 He bent down, and treading on his palm, she jumpsd lightly into her sad dle
 The ferry boat grated on the shore They touched their horses on the Hanks and were off.
 Seem in a hurry, them two," said one ferryman to the other ''D'y ye know who it is, MT. Wheal?'
 Why, Captain Miller. Him that lives at Littleton--at the bIg house with the clock
 "Oh, know i'm well enough. mean the lady"
 q dunno the lady, Bill"
 ''Nor l don't neither"
 But her 'alf sovereign's all right, anyway, LOT! shes a pretty woman, whoever she is,
 The December days went by, the crisp winter weather passed, and there came the lovely May-time. Again the old ferry boat crossed the river to bring over carriage with a pair of bays.
 The carriage was empty, except for the two servants who were on the box. When it was ferried over the coachman took up his reins, and threading his Txro f brOT n1d nd tc- which lay along th- side of the ferry road, he drove off.
 Dye know whose carriage that was, MT. Wheal?" said one of the ferrymeG to the other.
 That's Captain Miller's carriage. Him that lives up at L:ttleton-the house what has a clock. He got mar ried last week. Speck he'll come down ere this summer"
 Had any more thick 'uns lately, MT. Wheal?'
 No, Bill, I ain't. They're not over plentiful. She was one of the right sort, she was. I wonder if she caught that train? Did ye hear wot her bet was?"
 "No." rit
 well, she bet her 'art an Ter and" 'Lor'.''
 Gentle folks as funny ways, Bll," said the ferryman, refiectively
 
 The spring went and the summer came. One of our English summers it happened to be, with cold winds and gray skies. Wheal was sculling over in the small ferry boat, as his custom was He came from the Haybridge side with two pas9eng gers as his freight. l They wera ladies. Stepping out of the boat on the ShsppertCn side, they accosted another, who was waiting to be ferried over.
 Good morning, Mrs Miller,'' they said, holding and smiling hurriedly |