Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-04-11
A IL nature seemed jOyOu. and

~ bright that afternoon, for spring
had returned to Carolina On every side
the iron plowshare had gone deep into
the heart OF the fields, and the earth
had fresh smell that caused vague
thrill of pleasure.
But Mr.. Horace noticed none OF
these things as he rode slowly past
the Bryson orchard. The sunshine ac-
centuated the weary lines Of his face
the detected droop Of his shoulders.
Poor Mr.. Horace" Mrs. Bryson
said to her husband, as he passed her
gate, III ever man was faithful, he
Is. But he will never win, and he
knows II. ! believe will nsk him for
a setting Of turkey eggs" She sped
down the walk as nimbly as II she
had been 20 instead OF so.
Mr.. Horace brought his old gray
mare TO a halt. and waited for his
neighbor TO catch her breath.
turkey eggs?" he asked, with old
fashioned politeness. certainly,
madam" Mrs Bryson drew nearer,
and In her earnestnrss caught the
mare by the bride rein. "Mr. Horace
Mr.. Horace" she said, desperately,
"it's not turkey eggsl It's been go
ing on so longl You will never winl
Why, you are a by-word for courting
In the whole settlement, Mr.. Horace"
pleadingly, for he was looking down
Mt her in such helpless bewildered
fashion; "Rouse YOURSELF Marry her
In spite OF herself Good evening, sir"
She ran back up the path 10 her
home.
Mr.. Horace logged on. His face re-
sumed its detection. and his shoulders
dropped alphabetically.
Twenty-Five years is n long look
back. He was a slim young fellow,
full OF hope and youth, that first Sum
day afternoon he rode up to Mary
HIill's gate, hitched his horse, and
went In 10 begin the siege OF her
heart; and she was young, and the
prettiest girl In all the county.
For ten years he had ridden TO her
house, and then had ridden away.
The visits ended suddenly, and a
month later Mr., Horace was married.
Mr.. Horace's little wife never com
planned, but at the end OF Ave years
she found the burden OF life too heavy,
and laid II down. II was ten years
from the time OF his wifes death,
and rs years from the time OF his
first wooing, as he went up the path
20 Miss Hills home. Strange thoughts
were thronging his brain. As he put
one foot behind him for his old-fash-
toned bow. he felt decidedly bewil-
dered 10 hear the words; "Master her
Why. you are by-word for court.
ing"
lie looked up 20 see II abe had
heard the loud-spoken words. She
was smiling and inviting him into the
old-fashioned parlor.
"All alone2" he questioned.
"Yes," with faint flush nt the
eagerness Of his tone, And then she
told him that the family were away
for the day. With an impatient mo-
tion he passed his hand across his
brow, as though he brushed imaginary
cobwebs from his brain. "Now's the
timel Marry her in spite OF herself
Rouse yourselil" How the words rang
IN his ears.
lie asked for some water and when
Miss Hill returned she dimly realized
that a change had passed over him.
Mr. Horace had pulled himself together.
He sat down, and held himself erect.
He spoke with dignity new 10 him.
"Mnry," he said. ITS 25 years since
i first hitohed my horse 20 your gate
post, and, as look back, IL seems all
Sunday afternoons when l have come
60 see you"
He grew eloquent. lie even men
toned the rides through June sunshine
and December snow, and the horse
grown old IN his service. She listened
quietly-her delicate face calm. One
would never have dreamed Of the tur-
moil Of her heart, Many a time when
she felt that he needed a woman's care
she had pitied him She had worried
lest his stockings were not darned, his
food well prepared. Grieved to the
heart she sent him from her. Each sun
day she regarded her prett, faded face
anNiously rs she removed her hatnnd
looked In the mirror, con,ri,us OF the
fresh faces In their radiant Youth that
occupied the pew behind hers.
I'm so delicate and nervous" Ithnd