Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-01-06
How [ Became Best Man,
By S. Ten Eyck Prince.

diWays, Ut ln1n1te peril to lie and
limb, for>1 was not accustomed to this
rapid pace. Besides, am a man who
dlslikes to appear forward. / was
mortally ashamed Of myself, but no
power on earth could check the beast
l was riding. Darling neighed scorn-
fully as l tugged at the bit. and Kept
on in his mad careeR.
Miss Van Deemen glanced con-
temDtuously at me and turned down q
sidepath. Darling dung TO her skirts
with q deporable fidelity. And had
noticed placard warning all tres
pasers Off under penalty of the law.
, The law was then, to be added to my
other miseries; but consoled myself
with the thought that Its representa-
tives could scarcely control my horse,
since I myself 1ad failed In the al
tempt.
But Miss Van 0aemen had reached
the limit; she reined In her horse, and
Darling stood immovable! "Sir," said
she, anger and fear in every line of her
pretty face, Il must ask you to leave
me at once"
Heavens, If ! only could! ! would
even have climbed a tree. but Darling
was not 20 be persuaded.
| "Sir-"
| Pardon me; It really is not my fau1t,
1t is purely accidental that our paths
lie in the same direction" replied,
hypocritically.
"Then will return" said she, glanc-
ing at the placard in silent comment
upon my excuse But Darling vhirled,
too, knocking me heedlessly against
the nearest tree, thereby barking my
knee in painful fashion; then trotted
determinedly on by the lady's side,
out on to the broad highway that was
equally forbidden to me at that in
stant.
Miss Van Deemen bit her lips IN
silence, growing alternately white lnd
red, and kept on in overpowerfng
shame, but helpless as the infant in
Its cradle. At last she turned to me
with tears In her eyes.
81 beg you, sir, to leave me. You
cannot imagine how dreadfulIy you
will embarrass me if you persist IN
this unwarranted pursuit. I appeal
to your chivnlry, for IL expect my
fance here, with whom 1 am secretly
engaged. He is dieadfully Jealous, SO
beg Of you to leave Ilei'
She almost sobbed as she spoke, and
in the distance / could hear echoing
hoofbeats, which she, too. must have
distinguished. 1 knew the gentleman
to whom she referred, at least by
sight, and confess had no desire for
closer acquaintance under such cir
cumsGnceS.
used my whip unsparingly, but to
no purpose. Darling would not bulge
In the meantime the rider appeared
at the turning and greeted the young
lady pleasantly enough, though he
glanced at me disapprovingly.
pray introduce your companion"
he said sharply. Miss Van Deemen
turned purple and looked repEoachfully
at me.
II don't know the gentleman" she
stammered. "He happened to be rid
ing in the same direction as u
purely accidental" l repeated,
bowling, inwardly praying that the
earth would open and swallow me up.
"Indeed!' said the gentleman, and
turned his back deliberately on me.
Permit me to accompany you, Miss
Van Deemen," l heard, as / bent low
over Darling's neck, apparently alb
| TN hon ..I
them trot off, and then felt myself car
ried along at furious pace, and an
instant later I landed beside Miss
Deemen. breathless, but still in my
saddle. Mr.. Courtney-eo she had
styled her escort-glared at me, NUT
tering something between his teeth.
"Sir," I ventured, overcoming my
embarrassment.
"Wil you have the goodness to leave
us?" he shrieked
"The road is free to all" replied,
annoyed by his manner, for had not
started upon an explanation.
"But yours is not beside this lady,
whom you are insulting" he ragged
II regret 1t exceedingly, but"
81 forbid you to ride beside her." ne
snapped, angrily.
"You can forbid me nothing. I am
not your servant"
"Slr." he shrieked, ''you are IN in
soient puppy, and l must insist upon
an explanation for your Here Miss
Van Deemen interfered