Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1899-10-11
the idea Of a long walk alone at Il

plea SAINT prospect.
| walked on. hoping that some light
might betray the whereabouts OF some
farm house.
/ had not walked very far before |
came to a gate. opening into a. tiny gar
den belonging 10 Il cottage. 4 light
shone through the window. which was
only partially covered by the blind.
opened the gale and went to the
door. but hearing lie sound Of voice, |
peeped IN at the window before knock
ing.
In the room was man who had Il
large Bib.e open before him. OUT Of
which he was reading to his wife, who
sat by, nursing her baby.
This sight treasured me. | felt that
ii man so employed would be safe
guide. and | determined 10 ask him to
walk home with me when he had flu
ished reading. Meanwhile, | stood lean
ing against the garden gate.
As waited, the stiffness of the sum
mer night was broken by the sound Of
horses trot. 1t came on quickly. and
Just passed me. Then. attracted. | sup
pose. by my white dress. he rider
wheeled round. and came up to me-
Miss Graham he uttered. in a voice
of Intense surprise. 'All alone here
What has happened!'
The speaker was great friend Of my
brothers. aud the vicar of an adjacent
village / had been Introduced TO him
that day at the picnic. and-shall con-
TESS 1.-THE was a prominent object In
the pleasant thoughts to which | have
alluded.
| told him what had happened and
we had II hearty laugh over my predc
ament.
what have you done with Tins
seat?' asked Mr.. Franklin, as soon as
he could speak.
"Oh, left that In the ditch | said.
I daresay it Will be found there to-mor
row."
What pleasant walk that was. !
never enjoyed one more. and | was al
most sorry when. about two miles from
home we met Charlie coming back In
the pony carriage to look for me.
Man-like, as soon as he saw that
was safe, he vented his previous ankle
ty upon me by scolding me rather cross
ly for not calling out to draw his atten-
ton to my position.
But | could not scream, Charlie"
said, II was laughing 80 heartily.
Then as the whole absurdity of the
affair presented itself to me afresh. |
laughed merrlly, Charlie and Mr.
Franklin roaring In company.
Mr.. Franklin helped me into the car
rage. and having said good night,
turned back to go to his own home, hav-
ing gone out Of his way 10 walk with
me,
When Punch and Judy found their
heads turned homewards they wentlike
the wind. and soon was safe In Ethel's
pretty drawing room, recounting my
adventure for her edification.
We had only just finished breakfast
the next morning, when Mr.. Franklin
made his appearance to inquire II was
any the worse for the accident; and
after that he was forever finding some
excuse for calling upon us.
Charlie was rather surprised at this.
but Ethel understood 1t ALL and when
he was announced, would look at me In
a rogush way that made me feel hot
Then came d day when words We're
spoken that made me feel myself the
happiest woman on earth. Charlie and
Ethel were IN the garden. and | was all
alone In the drawlng-room when Mr.
Franklin came.
! do not remember what he said, but
in u moment | found myself folded IN
his arms. while | wept happy tears on
his breast.
Before another summer came round.
| was installed in the pretty yicarage OF
Ancombe as its mistress. Many time
have my husband aud | laughed over
the results of my eventful drive In
Ethers pony carriage.
Our children delight Ia hearing the
story The pretty lane IN which Tins
seat deposited me Is u fagorite haunt OF
theirs. Any question of Where shall
we walk today is apt to be answered
In chorus. ITO the lane where papa
found mamma. 1t Is so pretty and SO
NICE
A sentiment echoed In the mothers
heart for "auld lang syne!' Saturday
Evening Post.