The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-10-02

was transported. here were Tue III
dams at last, and their painted, half
naked bodies were even more fascinat-
ing than the images he had been able
to conture up during his sleepless mo-
ments In the dimly lighted nursery.
Band after band came on, each fol-
lowed by Its chief. and each succeeding
body drew Harry nearer to the front
Of the box. The nurse, fresh from Irish
soil. was too much interested to watch
her charge. The others trusted to the
nurse.
AT last came the cowboys, better
mounted even than their associa ties
Six abreast they swept into the arena
and came tearing down the stretch
Suddenly groan went up, a great vol
ume of tone like the voice of one
mighty man. There, directly in the
path of the riders, stood a fair haired
child. The sun glanced from its dainty
white dress and lit up the long flaxen
curls till they seemed to form halo
about Its head.
Alicia sprang up with a fearful
scream.
Harry she cried. "Oh, my dar-
ling, come to sister, Then she covered
her eyes, not daring to face the awful
horror she knew must come.
The instant he did so some impulse
compelled her to look again. and a ray
of hope lit up her strained face
The riders on the inside had turned
aside. The one nearest the child
stopped and caught him up. and as q
mighty shout went up from the crowd
he swung the little fellow to the pom
mel of the saddle. The six moved on.
They drew into their places, and the
child shouted with delight at the nov
city of his position, never giving
thought to the danger he had faced.
AS the hOrseman stood there waiting
for the end of the entree Alicia sought
his face, her eyes dimmed with CRATE
full tears. Like his fellows, he wore
the regulation blue shirt with its scar
let kerchief. The brown leather chaps
were much like those worn by the 9th
ers, and a huge sombrero threw the
face In shadow. He was In nowise
different from his fellows, yet 1t seemed
to Alicia as If there was something
familiar In the figure-something that
suggested some one she had known.
1t was absurd to imagine that she
numbered a plalnsman among her ac-
quaintances, yet try as she would she
could not take her eyes from him.
Even when Colonel Cody passed on his
splendid horse the graceful, we'll built
figure and the tiny white form of her
brother were all she saw.
The colonel had made his little
speech. He had introduced his con-
gress of rough riders of the world with
a sweep of his hat, all inclusive. The
riders had advanced to the barrier,
had retreated and were beginning the
musical ride which finishes the en-
trance.
At first the cowboys were within the
circle. Gradually, however, the ranks
thinned out, and on the last circuit
they would have to pass the box. Har-
rvs rescuer refined up as the box was
reached and, drawing out of line.
leaned forward to restore the boy.
Aliciu started forward to receive
him, fully occupied with her little
brother. Not until the rider was in mo-
ton again did she look into his face.
Then she sank down, crying and laugh
ing all at once. Mild Mysteries, wom-
ans universal panacea. had come to
her relief.
After the siege of Picking had been
raised and the emblem of Christianity
had replaced the banners of pagan
ism, according to the programme, the
Peyton family We're interviewing a
young man who now wore the khaki
uniform of private soldier. His face
was flushed with embarrassment.
Peyton pere regarded him with be-
nevolent good will and suggested that
he had better come up to dinner. Pey-
ton mere tried to say something suit
able and wept quietly instead. The
younger Peytons regarded him with
awe, much as one looks upon neigh
Dor who suddenly achieves national
greatness. All this was of interest,
but there was look in Alicia Peytons
eyes that made him wish the rest of
the family would go away and leave
him alone with her.
But when this wish was granted
few hours later Thurston was sudden
ly tongue tied and distressingly self
conscious.
Alicia raised her eyes, brimming
with tenderness, to his. "Since you
won't take advantage of your bravery,
Sir" she said, 81 suppose | will have to
propose to you myself"
ITS not gratitude | want; it's love-"
he said gently. you feel now that
must be repaid for picking up Harry"
at is love l offer" she said proudly.
81 didn't know 1t then. You seemed as
inert as the rest of our men. How was
| to know that you had ridden the
range for three years after your
health broke down In college If you
didn't tell me-"
He answered with a kiss. "At any
rate" he said, you have won cow
boy. That's why l wouldn't argue the
point with you the other evening.
have ridden with Cody's show every
time 1t has come to town since l came