Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-03-08


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, "if ever man was faithful, he
is. But he will never win, and he
knows it. I believe l will ask 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 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. "Mr. Horace
Mr.. Horace" she said, desperately,
cts not turkey eggs! It's been 60
ing on so long! You will never win!
Why, you are by-word for counting
in the whole settlement, Mr.. Horace"
pleadingly, for he was looking down
at 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 it's detection, and his shoulders
dropped alphabetically.
Twenty-Five years is a long look
back. He was slim young fellow,
full 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 h,
heart; and she was young, and TIN
prettiest girl in all the county.
For ten years he had ridden to I'D
house, and then had ridden away
The visits ended suddenly, and
month later Mr.. Horace was marie,
Mr.. Horace's little wife never con
planned, but at the end OF five ya6d
she found the burden of life too he
and laid it down. 1t was ten "
from the time of his wife's d
and rs years from the time ofV
first wooing, as he went up the pr.
to Miss Hills home. Strange thong
were thronging his brain. AS he n
one foot behind him for his old-fa
toned bow, he felt decidedly bey
dered to hear the words: master h
Why, you are by-word for coui
ing"
He looked up TO see II she had
heard the loud-spoken words. SkS
was smiling and inviting him into til
old-fashioned parlor.
"All alone?" he questioned.
EYES," with faint flush at
eagerness of his tone. And then s
told him that the family were av
for the day. With an impatient
ton he passed his hand across
brow, as though he brushed imaginY
cobwebs from his brain. "Now'sl
time! Marry her in spite OF herd
Rouse YOURSELF" How the words r
in his ears.
He asked for some water, and "
Miss Hill returned she dimly req
that change had passed over
Mr.. Horace had pulled himself toge
He sat down, and held himself q
He spoke with dignity new 70
MARY" he said, "it's rs years
l first hitched my horse to YOU
post, and, as look back, it 81
Sunday afternoons when ha
to see YOU"
He grew eloquent. He eve
toned the rides through June
and December snow, and TIL
grown old in his service. She
quietly-her delicate face ca
would never have dreamed Of
moil of her heart. Many Til
she felt that he needed woma
she had pitied him. She had
lest his stockings were not dar;
food we'll prepared. Grieved
heart she sent him from her. Esa
day she regarded her pretty ia,
anxiously as she removed he
looked in the mirror, consci
fresh faces In their radian
occupied the pew behind |
IL. 4