The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-26
TWO ALTERNATIVES.
BY w. BERT FOSTER

expect plain talk from people whose advice
you ask, don't you? No man will ever ask
woman to marry him il she doesn't give
him the opportunity.
That is different; but such remarks an
you are making now are hardly in the nature
of advice, Jack"
Well. don't see that there's much you
can do, he drawled, and his eyes began to
! twinkle. There seem to be but two courses
to pursue, and two only
"Oh, here's your Sultan and the runabout!.'
/ suddenly cried Esther, clapping her hands
| and springing up. Are you going to take mo
to ride, JACKIE
Well, it's what came around for, but
your tale Of woe about knocked it out Of my
head
The negro from the stable Ieaped out and
held the big bays head Esther ran down to
the gate, forgetting the herufled parasol living
on the veranda.2 Ormsby followed laziIy.
Feeling pretty gay, isn't he, Jacksonf'
he asked, pulling on glove and looking a&
Sultan, who danced charmingly to the accom-.
painment of little squea1s of delight from
Esther.
Yes, sab; he do, sah."
Hop in, Essie,' Ormsby said holding out
bis hand to assist her Then he added.
Speaking of angels, there's HallowelI now
A fresh faced young fellow cantered by on
a fine horse and lifted his hat seriously. A
little way beyond he pulled in the animal
and disnounted as though he would CONS
back to speak to the couple at the runabout
do hurry up' exclaimed Esther under
her breath. What shall I do to get rid
of him, Jack? You said there were two
ways. What are they?"
t'Well,' and Ormsby buttoned the glove
slowly and put one foot on the step of the
runabout, you might marry him to get rid
of him.
mo- thank you!' she exclaimed. poutins
and tossing her head Then she started and
looked toward the house "Oh, Jaek-my
parasol! shall want it,
Ormsby had already leaned forward to seize
the reins. He glanced at the colored man.
Miss Dingleys parasol is on the verandA,
Jackson" he said. IN -..-s---.-
The man dropped Sultan's bride. Like q
fash the bay threw up his head and started.
The lines had not been quite within Orrns-
by's grasp. His foot slipped from the step.
He made leap to reach the carriage, but
Sultan swung into a long stride on the in
slant and fairly snatched the runabout from
| under his masters grasp.
The reins the reins! Quick, Essiei'
Ormsby cried.
Thank God, she knew what he meant and
seized the lines before they slipped over the
dashboard to dangle about Sultan's heels
and drive him mad with terror. But the
horse knew instantly that an unfamiliar hand
held the rens, and he increased his trot to
a gallop.
Esther told herself that she would not bs
frightened, and she drew the lines in firmly
and said Whoa"
But Sultan saw no reason for "whoaing'
Just then. There was a long stretch of dusty,
sunlit road before him, and he seized the bit
In his strong teeth and bolted. He flew by
Hallowell's mount with rush and set that
creature to dancing. Hallowell hung on to
\ ,n,i%t a q
the runaway.
His establishment was vastly increased
! when second whirwind reached him. Orms
| by went at him as though he was playing
| football.
| He snatched the bride from Hallowelfs
| hand and that young man was sent roll
Ing in the dust as Jack leaped astride and
set the now frightened animal after the bolt
| ing Sultan.
| The road for mile was clear, but where
I it Joined the boulevard beyond Ormsby knew
| the runaway would burst into tangle OF
carriages of all descriptions, and the end
| would be serious. He didn't know much
| about the soundness of Hal1owelrs mount,
but he would have made asthmatic old
car horse do stunts just then. .-~s - -
| Like the wind he rode, and his mounts
nose soon came up to Esther's shoulder.
| Foot by foot he gained on Sultan, and then,
| with a swift dive, Ormsby seized the reins,
which Esther had continued to cling to with
all her little might. A strong pull on both
| horses, and Sultan instantly recognized the
tact that all his fun was over.
He slowed down and in half block, and
| 1ust before the junction with the boulevard.
stopped, as gentle as lamb. For minute
| they gazed at each other. 49,.
WELL Ormsby said at last, you came
| uear escaping the pursuit of the villain that
| time, Essie for good and all.
Esther's eyes grew luminous And you
dared suggest that ! marry bin1!'' she said.
| catching her breath.
well, you know there was an alterna-
| tive ~
| And that is?" still looking at him.
"That you might marry me to, get rid Of
him That-that would be effectual, wouldn't
Fit?"
| Another breath of silence, and then Esther
murmured. well, Jack, DEAR we might
| try it, '
p