The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-04-25

A LII nature seemed joyous 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 a fresh smell that caused a vague
thrill of pleasure.
But Mr.. Horace noticed none of
these things as he rode slowly past
the Bryson orchard. The sunshine ac-
eentuated 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, "if ever q man was faithful, he
in. But he will never win, and he
knows il. believe l will ask him for
y setting of turkey eggs" She sped
down the walk as nimbly as if she
had been 20 instead of so.
Mr.. Horace brought his old gray
marc to a halt, and waited for his
peighbor to catch her breath.
Turkey eggs?" he asked, with old
fashioned politeness, certainly,
madam" Mrs Bryson drew nearer,
snd in her earnestness caught the
mare by the bride rein. "Mr Horace
Mr.. Horace" she said, desperately,
ITS not turkey eggs! It's been 60
sng on so long! You will never win!
Why, you are a by-word for counting
N the whole settlement, Mr.. Horace"
Pleadingly, for he was looking down
al her in such helpless, bewildered
fashion; "Rouse yourself! Marry her
in spite Of herself Good evening, sir"
she ran back up the path to her
home.
Mr.. Horace logged on. His face re-
sumed its detection, and his shoulders
hooped sympathetically.
Twenty-Five years is long look
back. He was a slim young fellow,
7sil Of hope and youth, that first Sun
day afternoon he rode up to Mary
Hills gate, hitched his horse, and
went in to 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 five years
4he found the burden of life too heavy,
and laid it down. 1t was ten years
from the time of his wife's death
and % years from the time of his
Srst wooing, as he went up the path
eo Miss Hills home. Strange thoughts
were thronging his brain. AS he put
enc foot behind him for his oldfash
iOned bow, he felt decidedly bewil.
dered to hear the words Master her
Why, you are by-word for court.
ing"
He looked up to see if she had
heard the loud-spoken words. She
vas smiling and inviting him into the
ald-fashioned parlor.
'.all alone?" he questioned.
"Yes," with a faint flush at the
sagerness of his tone. And then she
fold him that the family were away
Cor the day. With an impatient mo
tion he passed his hand across his
brow, as though he brushed imaginary
cobwebs from his brain. SHOWS the
timel Marry her in spite Of herself
Rouse yourself!" How the words rang
in his ears.
He asked for some water, and wheI
Miss Hill returned she dimly realized
shat a change had passed over him
Mr.. Horace had pulled himself together
lie sat down, and held himself erect
lie spoke with dignity new to him
"Mary," he said, tits 25 years sine,
first hitched my horse to your gate
post. and, as look back, it seems al
Sunday afternoons when | have COM
90 see you"
He grew eloquent. He even men
toned the rides through June sunshin
and December snow, and the hors
crown old in his service. She listene,
quietly-her delicate face calm. On
would never have dreamed of the tui
noil of her heart. Many time whe
she felt that he needed n woman's ear
she had pitied him. She had worrie
est his stockings were not darned. hi
food well prepared. Grieved to III
heart she sent him from her. Each Sur
day she regarded her pretty faded fac
anxiously as she removed her hat an
looked in the mirror, conscious of III
fresh faces in their radiant youth tina
sccupied the pew behind hers.
I'm so delicate and nervous" 1t ha