The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-08

said at last. Marcia g1ggled SOFTLY. me
humor Of the situation overcame her She
knew we'll Miss Marticia would spend the
night where she was rather than give
in
I'm glad it's warm--but warm Feb
ruary day is a weather breeder" Miss
Marticia said to Marcia. shouldn't be
surprised if it was showing hard by
morning do wonder what makes some
people so hateful That buggy yonder
is on the down side-it would go back OF
itself if only the driver hadn't cut the
wheels"
90 do please let them PAST" Marcia
entreated half an hour later. Don
put yourself on their level, Aunt Marry
It-it-is not nice to be standing here.
feel perfectly idiotic.'
II won't back my horse! That's hat,
Miss Marticia said loudly. Under her
breath she added: 'I'il show Lucindy-
Tom Warfield there is somebody in this
world she can't run over if die for it
Sarah, I wish you'd sing something,
Miss Lucindy Tom said, Il"
Its lucky Merry-Tom never was
afraid Of noise" Miss Marticia said to
the universe.
80 do go back-or else drive on
through! The mud does not look SO very
deep!" Sarah entreated, in fearful whis-
per Miss Lucindy-Tom shifted audibly.
''That shows how much you know!" she
said. "It's over the hubs-even if we
didn't get stuck it wofuld be certain to
run in the buggy box and ruin your new
dress"
II don't care! You must go on wish
l was dead! / shall die unless you take
me home!" Sarah protested, still fearful.
Miss Lucindy- Tom struck UP hymn and
sung loudly through three lines of it.
Suddenly she checked herself--she heard
somebody coming rapidly up behind.
"Why! What is wrong?" John began.
checking his horse at the end of the
bridge. Then he whistled softly.
a glance across had told him the whole
story. This will never do, Tanty! You
must turn and go by the pike-you'll new
err get through this way" he said. Lucky
/ overlook you. / should hate to think
of you mired five miles from home, and
not soul to help"
II won't turn back and will go on,
Miss Lucindy-Tom said distinctly. III
YOU are a man and kin to me, ride across
and make those other people get out or
my way"
John pleaded and entreated. 1t was
all in vain. He saw and heard that Mar
cia was likewise trying to bring her aunt
to reason, with like ill-success. AT last
he turned desperately to Sarah. Cant
you say something to end this?'' he ask
ed Instantly Miss Lucindy-Tom took
the word from Sarah's mouth. "Yes-vif
she'll say, John Warfield, I'll marry you,
I'll do whatever you may say-go back
or forward or sideways, she cried. AND
she will say it, if only you give her the
| chance. Try it right now-you'll find out
mighty quick"
'"This is lunacy--the worst sort, John
groaned. Then he set his teeth grimly
and dashed into the mud. In minute
he was beside Marcia. saying eagerly to
| her aunt, Miss Marticia-aunt Marty
do give way just this once!'
| 81 won't" Miss Marticia said, her
mouth setting in hard line. Marcia
stood up and freed herself from the robes
''Then l beg you, John, at least to take
me out" she said. 81 am not afraid to
risk it behind you. Bashaw, / know
will not mind my weight"
Come" said john holding out his
/ hand Marcia caught It, set her foot up
on the near stirrup and swung herself up
on Bashaw's back. John clucqed softly
and shook his reins loose as he felt her
arms go around him. Bashaw UNDER
stood. He went straining through the
| mud though it came almost to his belly.
and the suck each step as his feet came
out was like the noise of pistol Once
! he faltered. John thought he would fall,
but the gallant big brown recovered him
self and foundered on to firm land AS
he stood there, painting and trembling,
John waved his hand to the rest.
1--WE are going on to the party" he
said "You can come at your leisure, or
stay at your pleasure.
Marcia Ewing did not reach the Gra-
bells party. Instead of her there came
Mrs John Warfield, John had ridden
straight to the minister's house. He had
heard that day in town of very hand
some legacy left him by his mothers un-
Gle. The first thing he did after hearing
it was to go and take out a marriage
license. Miss Marticia Miss Lucindy-
Tom and Sarah Ashbel, strange to re-
late, all got to the party little later.
Just how affairs finally arranged them
| selves only those three ever knew, and
none of them would tell. Marcia put on
a fine gown, which was quite white and
| bride-like, and rsmiled content over
Sarah's eclipsing scarlet Miss Marticia
came round at once and told John plainly
he had done the right thing, even before
she heard a word of the fortune. Miss
Lucindy-Tom held out until she found
that holding out made no sort of differ
ence to anybody but herself. Then she
decided to forgive the Ewings each and
several all the wrongs she had ever done
them. But as long as she lives she will
hold a grievance against Sarah Ashbel-
If Sarah had not been so fat and stupid,
she asserts, the whole story would have
| mad different ending.
General Wheeler declares he has nc