The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-04-16

had returned TO Carolina On every side
the iron pIowshare had gone deep into
the heart of the fields. and the earth
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. If ever a man was faithful, he
is. But he viii never win. and he
knows it. believe viii ask him for
setting of turkey eggs" She sped
dewn the walk as nimbly as If 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 earnestness caught the
mare BY the bride rein. '4Mr Horace
Mr.. Horace she said. desperately,
Its not turkey eggs. It's been go
ing on so long. You viii never win,
WIZ. you are a by-word for counting
in the whole settlement. Mr.. Horace
pleadingly, for he was looking down
at her in such a helpless. bewildered
fashion; Rouse yourself, Marry he-
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
dropped sympathetieally.
Twenty-Five years is a long look
back. He was a slim young fellow.
full of hope and youth. that first Sun
day afternoon he rode up 70 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 q
month later Mr.. Horace was married.
Mr.. Horace's little wife never COM
planned. but at the end of five years
she found the burden of life too heavy.
and laid it down. II was ten years
from the time of his wife's death,
and % years from the time of his
first wooing. as he went up the path
TO 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 Devil
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
was smiling and inviting him into the
old-fashioned parlor..
"AIl alone?" he questioned.
YES" with a faint flush at the
eagerness of his tone. And then she
told him that the family were away
for the day. With an impatient mo-
ton he passed his hand across his
brow. as though he brushed imaginary
cobwebs from his brain. ''Now's the
time, Marry her in spite of herself.
Rouse YOURSELF" How the words rang
in his ears.
He 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 to him.
Mary" he said. Its s5 years since
I first hitched my horse to your gate
post. and. as look back. il seems all
Sunday afternoons when have come
to see you"
He grew eloquent. He 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-
MOL of her heart. Many a time when
she felt that he needed womsn's care
she had pitied him. She had worried
lest his stockings were not dsrned, his
food well prepared Grieve6 to the
heart she sent him from her. Each sun
day she regarded her pretty faded face
anxiOusly as she removed her hat and
looked in the mirror. conscious of the
fresh faces in their radiant youth that
occupied the pew behind hers.
I'm so delicate and nervous" 1t had