The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-02-23

LII nature seemed Joyous ana
bright that afternoon, for spring
returned to Carolina. On every side
Il iron plowshare had gone deep into
heart of the fields. and the earth
fresh smell that caused vague
IL of pleasure.
But Mr.. Horace noticed none of
[these things as he rode slowly past
kthe Bryson orchard. The sunshine ac-
|centuated the weary lines of his face,
|the detected droop of his shoulders.
s'Poor Mr. Horace Mrs. Bryson
|said to her husband, as he passed her
|gate, ''if ever a man was faithful, he
Dis. But he will never win, and he
[lxnows it. l believe l will ask him for
la setting of turkey eggs" She sped
down the walk as nimbly as if she
shad been 20 instead of so.
Mr.. Horace brought his old gray
5mare to halt. and waited for his
z1ieghbor to catch her breath.
Turkey eggs?" he asked, with old
Fashioned politeness, certainly.
madam" Mrs Bryson drew nearer,
IND in her earnestness caught the
mare by the bride rein. "Mr. Horace
Mr.. Horace" she said, desperately,
tits not turkey eggs! It's been go.
Ing on so longl You will never win!
Why, you are by-word for courting
~ the whole settlement, Mr.. Horace y
pleadingly, for he was looking down
- her in such a helpless, bewildered
fashion; "Rouse yourself. Marry her
IN spite of herselfl Good evening, sir"
She ran back up the path to her
home.
81 Mr.. Horace logged on. His face re-
fumed its detection, and his shoulders
sdrooped sympathetically.
81 Twenty-Five years is long look
back. He was slim young fellow,
full of hope and youth, that first Sum
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
month later Mr.. Horace was married.
Mr.. Horace's little wife never COM
u1ained, but at the end of five years
lie found the burden of life too heavy,
and laid it down. 1t was ten years
<fom the time of his wife's death.
and 25 years from the time of his
1rst wooing, as he went up the path
40 Miss Hills home. Strange thoughts
Xere thronging his brain. As he put
me foot behind him for his old-fash-
30ned bow, he felt decidedly bewil-
dered to hear the words: master her
Why, you are a by-word for court
ing."
M He looked up TO see IL she had
heard the loud-spoken words. She
VAS smiling and inviting him into the
6ldfashioned parlor.
''All alone?" he questioned.
''Yes," with faint flush at the
Adgerness of his tone. And then she
tod him that the family were away
4or the day. With an impatient mo-
Ion he passed his hand across his
brow, as though he brushed imaginary
cobwebs from his brain. "Now's the
fImel Marry her in spite of herselfi
Rouse yourselfl" How the words rang
IN his ears.
He asked for some water, and when
Miss Hill returned she dimly realized
Mat a change had passed over him.
Mr. Horacehad pulled himself together
re sat down. and held himself erect.
He spoke with dignity new to him.
# ''Mary," he said, ''it's 25 years since
first hitched my horse to your gate
lost, and, as look back, it seems all
unday afternoons when | have come
b see you"
He grew eloquent. He even mer ,
+oned the rides through June sunshiI |.
hd December snow, and the horse
Fown old in his service. She listened
lietly--her delicate face calm. One
puld never have dreamed of the tur-
pil of her heart. Many time when
e felt that he needed woman's care
e had pitied him. She had worried
St his stockings were not darned, his
od well prepared. Grieved to the
Part she sent him from her. Each Sun
" she regarded her pretty faded face
Sionsly as she removed her hat and
oked in the mirror, conscious OF the
esh faces in their radiant youth that
cupied the pew behind hers.
I'm 50 delicate and nervous It had