Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-02-18
Cupid on Runners

50 fearful was he that he had misread
her feelings, so 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 sociabies and card parties in
Newington. Innumerable chances for
a declaration of love had offered them
selves, for he was 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 Wis
came CONSCIOUS of the fact that he had
actually asked Miss Harrington to take
g ride with him. OF course he mus
perfOrce bring matters to n crisis now
He was afraid that Judge Harrington
would be asking his intentions and it
would be humiliating to have such a
question come before he could refer
him TO the cir! for an answer. No, be-
yond a doubt he must pluck up cour-
are enough 10 ask her to be his wife
or else cease calling upon her-an al
Tentative that chilled his heart.
Littlewood handed Miss Harrington
insO the sleigh, stepped in himself,
tucked in the robes, and chirruped 10
the horse. That intelligent animal did
not move. A flush of modification o err
spread the face of the would-be lover
4 balky horse. and at the start. What
chance would he have to 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.
"Oh. yes TO be sure. | must have
sied him. think | did hitch him"
There seems to have been a hitch
somewhere" she answered.
The frosty night seemed to have set
seal upon her lips, for as they sped
over the crunching snow and left the
town behind them she was silent
u must have offended her. I've prob
ably made break of some kind" said
Littlewood to himself. How unfortu-
nate But / must tell her tonight. 1t
is now or never. This afternoon is too
marked to pass as mere courtesy of
the winter season. She knows l never
took anybody but my mother sleigh
riding before"
Then began process of nerving him
self 70 the avowal. Mildred" And
then he stopped. He had never called
her Mildred before. Il have something
OF the greatest Importance to say to
you"
Did be imagine it. 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 confines
Of the sleigh would allow.
what do you wish to say, Mr.. Phil
sips:"
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 signifi-
cance.
do you like sleighridlng?'
"Why. of course. or else l wouldn't
have come"
NO. to be sure not. I-thought that
was why you came"
Mildred turned her brown eyes upon
him. I'm afraid l don't understand
Sou"
That settled it. III she didn't under
stand him when he talked of nothing
in particular. he mast be blind in his
1tterance. and he could never trust his
tongue TO carry such a heavy freight
as declaration Of love. No. there was
nothing to DO but postpone it. After
all. her house was the best place for
H.
The night was rayishiug the sleigh
bells jmgled tremendously. the horse
swept ON with steady. rhythmic stride.
and under the influence Of the sweet
surroundings Mildred at last said point
edle: rs il SO that more people get en-
gagged in winter than in summer? She
bIuShed rs she spoke. 1t was unmaid-
enly. but he was such a dear stupid.
Now he would declare himself. But
she dia not know the capabilities Tor
self repression Of her tWo-ycar admir-
3
He said to himself: III I We're un-
Drincjpled would take advantage of
the slip and propose. but would bit
teriy reproach myself forever. what
ever her answer was. so he said, in as
matter-of-fact n tone as he could mas
Ser: 4 really can't answer offhand. but
s'n look ii mp Tor YOU"
''ho. Write letter 70 the sun"
Her tones were aS musical as ever.
ouy Eit,lewood thought he detected 4
sarcastic ring in them. and he thanked
ais stars that he had not yielded 10 his
natural desire 10 propose At such an
inausplyious time.
What was that Important thing YOU
wanted 70 say" asked Miss Earring
ton. after several minutes OF silence
save for the heasS. and the runners
ead the bells.
''oh. 1t wasn't Of any importance.
nean It viii keep. IL was thinking
Of something else"
Il think you have gone far enough.
said she innocently. looking over her
shoulder IN the direction sc home.
Maybe the return would loosen his OBJ
d1rste tongue
Il think that we'd better go back"
ne said. ard turned so quickly that he
nearly upset the sleigh. -YOur mother
uyill be anxlous."
AYES. when one is accountable TO
45ze's mother one has 10 remember