The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1900-11-30

TIE sky which had become overcast
was suddenly rent by q sig-sag streah
OF IRE. and q crash Of thunder shoos
the earth. Big drops Of rain battered
on the road and the horse frightened
by the thunder tried To break away
from Bradley.
TITS going to be a hard storm" SAID
the planter. soothing the horse. and
you u get home at once. There 10
only n way. You must ride b. md
me-"
But Mr.. Bradley"
Pardon me. Miss Apperson. II lie
the only way"
Jane Apperson felt that she was do
ing something desperately
tional, but, obcying Bradley. she
mounted a convenient stump and then
sprans on the sray's crupper.
Hold tight" said Bradley, with
grave courtesy. Now we're on" The
gray bounded forward and by the time
the rain began to fall In earnest was
%galloping swiftly. II wal a new sen
sation for Miss Apperson. this feeling
a powerful. running horse beneath her
and holding fast to a sn-on OF those
reckless roysterers her father disap--
proved OF so sternly. She was a good
deal troubled about what her father
would say. still the situation had its
charm.
There was a commotion when they
reached the house. The cream-colored
pony had come home without a rider
and servants were being sent out to
md Jane. Slipping to the ground be-
FORE Bradley could assist her, the girl
ran to her father and hurriedly told
him OF her adventure.
The old man eyed Bradley coldly and
said; MY daughter tells me YOU were
or service to her. At any time | can
feeiprocate ,Ju may command me-"
Don't mention IT," said the young
planter. 1T was a pleasure to me"
Won't you come in and wait until
the rain is over?"
NO. thanks; the rain WON'T hurt
me-"
Ben Bradley called several times at
the Apperson place and was received
with the frosty p~oliteness that was Mr..
Apperson's nearest approach to friend
illness. but he never managed to SEQ
Miss Apperson alone. She always
spoke cordially to him but there was a
reserve In her manner. Bradley felt
that she regarded him as a wicked
person.
The little Puritanl" said he. after
one OF these visits. she thinks I
have horns and hoofs. III keep away
from her"
But he didn't He took to hunting
the roads about the Apperson place
for the mere chance Of seeing her an
b rode. attended by = pa,e young
man who acted A. secretary = hsz
father 3omeumes he mAnared 70 ana
an excuse to ride n short distance =
her side. The presence OF the pal
young man was a bar to ~eonndentia
discourse. but when a man and a mali
are SO minded they can come to q
fairly good understanding without
plain speech, and Bradley began to
hope that the little Puritan did not
think so badly OF him after all.
whats the use, though" he
AuIhbhAf 4 hOu I Nunl u marty utI
fathers daughter. and her father
wouldn't let her marry me. But she's
a bonny little Puritan" f.
And the next time he rode at her
side he so managed that the gray ge.d-
ing and the c-ream-colored pony
crowded the pale young mans horse
out Of the road and thea they set or
at a pace that the pale young mans
steed could not keep.
Don't pull up" said Bradley. as
Miss Apperson started to check the
pony. 81 must say II. Give me two
minutes. | love you. and II you will
marry me will join the church and
try to be good"
"AreA't you coed now?' said the "lit-
tie Puritan" with a demure smile.
You know | Amt. Please give me n
chance"
What would father say?"
May ] ask him?"
Yes. Now we must walt for Mr..
Hawkins"
Before they parted Bradley found an
opportunity to slip a curiously carved
old ring from his little finger and give,
it 10 Miss Apperson.
He found Mr.. Apperson next morn
ing looking colder than ever and very
thoughtful. The old man opened the
conversation. you gave my daughter
a ring yesterday" he said.
Yes, sir, and | asked her to marry
me. Now have come to ask"
rs this the ring?"
Bradley's heart was cold as the old
man he'd up the ring he had given Jane.
Apperson.
Yes. How did you get it,"
From whom did You get it,"
From my mother. But | did not
come here to be ~eatechized. sir. 1t Is.
my ring and hoped that your daugh-
Ter would wear 1t as my first love
token
what Waa yam ,.,tho.t. -.