Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-02-06
CUPID ON RUNNERS.

much did he dread her refusal of his
suit, that he had never limited that
she was more to him than any of the
girls he had met at the church sOcia-
bles and card parties In Newington.
Innumerable chances for declaration
of love had offered themselves, for he
was a regular caller at the Harrington
mansion, but he was no nearer the goal
Of his desires to-day than he had been
when Cupid first aimed his dart at
him.
So matters stood when a snowfall
that brought sleighing in its wake
visited Newington. and Llttlewood be-
came conscious of the fact that he had
actually asked Miss Harrington to take
a ride with him. OF course he must
perforce bring matters to crisis now.
He was afraid that Judge Harrington
would be asking his intentions and It
would be humlliating to have such a
question come before he could refer
him to the girl for an answer No,
beyond doubt he must pluck up cour-
age enough to ask her to be his wife
or else cease calling upon her-an al
tentative that chilled his heart.
Littlewood handed Miss harrington
into the sleigh, stepped in himself
tucked In the robes, and chirruped to
the horse That intelligent animal did
not move. A flush of modification
O'erspread the face of the would-be
lover. A balky horse, and at the
start What chance would he have 10
deliver his precious message. He spoke
again to the horse, but it stood still
"You might unhitch him, Mr.. Phil
lips. That would help said Mildred,
| in her sweet voice.
20. yes-to be SIRE. must have
tied him. think ! did hitch him."
"Thcre seems to have been a hitch
somewhere" she answered.
The frosty night seemed to have set
a seal upon her lips, for as they sped
over The crunching snow and left the
town behind them she was silent.
Il must have offended her I've
probably made a break of some kind"
said Littlew00d to himself. "HOw I'LL
fortunate But l must tell her to-
night II Is now or never This after
noon Is too marked to pass as mere
courtesy of the winter season. She
knows ! never took anybody but my
mother sleigh-riding before"
Then began a process of nerving
himself to the avowal. Mildred
And then he stopped. He had never
called her Mildred before. 81 have
something of the greatest Importance
to say to YOU"
Did he imagine 1t, or did she nestle
closer to him? He must have been
mistaken, and to show that he was
quite sure he edged away from her as
much as the somewhat narrow con-
fines of the sleigh would allow.
What do you wish to say, Mr..
Phillips?"
Mister" Phillips. All, then she was
offended. To be sure, she had always
called him that, but after his last re-
mark It must have an added signitl-
cance.
"I-do you like sleigh-riding"
'Why, of course, or else wouldn't
have come"
mo, to be sure not. thought that
was why you came.'
Mildred turned her brown eyes upon
him. Pm afraid | don't understand
you"
That settled 1t. II she didn't under
stand him when he talked of nothing
In particular, he must be blind in his
utterance, and he could never trust his
tongue to carry such a heavy freight
as a declaration of love. No, there was
nothing to do but postpone 1t. After
all, her house was the best place for
llt.
The night was ravishing, the sleigh
bells jlngled tremendously, the horse
swept on with steady, rhythmic stride
and under the influence of the sweet
surroundings Mildred at last said
| polntedly: rs 1t SO that more people
get engaged In winter than in sum.
mer?' She blushed as she spoke. 1t
was unmaldenly, but he was such a
dear stupid. Now he would declare
himself But she did not know the
capabilities for self-repression Of her
two-year admrer.
He said to himself: III | were I'M
principled | would take advantage of
the slip aud propose, but ] would bit.
terly reproach myself forever, what
ever her answer was" so he said in as
matter-of-fact tone as he could mas.
Ter. 81 really can't answer olThaud,
\ but III look 1t up for you"
"Do. Write a letter to the Sum-"
Her tones were as musical as ever,
but Nttlewood thought he detected a
sarcastic ring in them, and he thanked
Bic stars that he had not yielded to his