Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-07-10
Cupid on Runners
= ITTLEWOOD PHILLIPS had

I prsn IN 'oys with rh! Mares r mad
~ ringtOn for two years. ever since
he first met her at the HallOwells'
card party. He had no good reason to
doubt that his love was returned, yet
SO fearful was he that lie had misread
her feelings, 50 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 sOciables and card parties in
NewingtOn. Innumerable chances for
a declaration Of love had offered them
selves. for he was Il 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 snowfall
that brought sleighing in its wake Wis.,
tied Newlngton. and Littlewood be-
came conscious Of the fact that he had
actually asked Miss Harrington to take
ride with him. or course he must
perforce bring matters to crisis now
He was afraid that Judge Harrington
would be asking his Intentions and it
would be humillating to have such 4
question come before he could refer
him to the girl for an answer No. be-
yond 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.
Llttlewood 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 Ger
spread the face of the would-be lover
A balky horse. and at the start! What
chance would he have to deliver his
precious message. He spoke again to
the horse. but 1t stood still.
You might unhitch him, Mr. Phil
lips. That would help" said Mildred,
in her sweet voice.
"Oh. yes-tO be sure. l must have
tied him. think did hitch him."
There 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.
II must have offended her. I've prob
ably made a 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 never
took anybody but my mother sleigh
riding before"
Then began process Of nerving him
self to the avOwal Mildred" And
then he stopped. He had never called
her Mildred before. II 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 confines
Of the sleigh would allow.
what do you wish to say. Mr.. Phil
lips?"
Mister" Phillips. All. then she was
offended. To be sure. she had always
called him that. but after his last re-
mark 1t must have an added signiti-
canoe.
do you like slelghriding?"
"Why, Of course. or else l wouldn't
have come"
NO. to be sure not. Thought that
was why you came"
Mildred turned her brown eyes upon
him. I'm afraid don't understand
you"
That settled it. 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 heavy freight
as a declaration Of love. No. there was
nothing to do but postpone it, After
all. her house was the best place for
| it.
The night was ravishing. the sleigh
bells jinglei tremendously. the horse
swept on with steady. rhythmic stride.
and under the influence Of the sweet
surroundings Mildred at last said point
eddy: is 1t so that more people get en-
gagged in winter than in summer? She
blushed as she spoke. 1t was unmald-
emily. but he was such a dear stupid
Now he would declare himself. But
she Gid not know the capabilities for
self-rep ression Of her two-year admir-
er.
He caid to himself: IF l were I'M
prlnclpled would take advantage Of