Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-09-05
DAILY SHORT STORY
THoRNY ROSE
rCopyright 1902. by the 5. S. Mcclure
Company.l


Companyl
Rosalind stood shifting the white hon.
eysuckIe outside the porch. her nose
delicately tip tilted, her eyes dancing
Sandy Bowman leaned heavily against
the opposite pillar. trying to glover at
her, but failing miserably. If you can
bring yourself to marry such noddy
as Ned Ashley for the sake of his mon
ey, you're sowing sorrow; that's all
have got TO say
''Oh. thank your Rosalind said
sweetly. But, really, is there press
ing need of your saying anythingf"
YES, just this" Sandy retorted, his
mouth setting obstinately. Il love the
ground under your feet, but L won't
trot tandem with that fellow. You
have got to takeN one of us. Which
shall it be-"
He folded his arms and came n step
nearer Rosalind pouted divinely. You
are-horrid, and YOU can go away. L
see Ned Ashley coming down the lane.
We are to go for drive"
Not behind those browns of hisi
Ashley is as cruel and cowardly TO his
horses as he will be to his wife-when
he has one. They have run away three
times within a month. You must not
risk it, Ned cried, aghast
Unconsciously he gripped her arm
so tightly it made her vince. She
shook herself free, saying angrily, MY
father, even, does not say shall not to
me-
What's all this-you two quarrel
ing?" Ned Ashley sang out. refining his
painting horses in close beside the step.
Come quick. Miss Rose. We are go
ing the mill road"
Risk your own neck as much as you
like. l shall not let you risk Roses"
Sandy broke in.
Ashley scowled. Risk is what makes
life Worth living, is it not, Miss Rose?"
he asked. we know we have not be-
tween us drop of towards blood"
1T is worse than cowardly to take n
woman into needless danger" Sandy
said, keeping fast hold of Rose.
LET me go!'' Rose said desperately.
Ashley struck down Sandy's hand and
whipped away, with Rose at his side.
81 have wondered all along how you
endured his insolence," Ashley said.
Rose turned resentfully from him,
saying half over her shoulder: II never
want to see him again. 1 hate him
nearly as much as l hate you.'
"Ha! My rose is thornyi' Ashley
said, with a lazy laugh, beginning to
hum:
High on the hills Lord Heron he dwells;
Rosalind sings on the moor below"
Rosalind put out her hand. Leave
a oil sbn "a
imperiouSly.
IF / may not sing, what may l do?'
What you like"
Ashley's breath came hard. 81 like
this he cried eXultantly, drawing
her close and kissing her on the fore
head. eyes and lips. One arm held her
fast. The reins lay. half graspcd in
the other hand Still the team might
not have misused their advantage had
not Il bunch of bleating young cattle
suddenly broken out OF Il crossroad
right under their noses. Instantly the
browns took bits in teeth and were off
like the wind.
On the turnpike that would not have
greatly mattered, but a mile ahead was
crOSsroad, rough, rocky and running
along n hillside at whose foot the mill
pond stretched. To drive over it, TAX
ing care, was one thing, to be dragged
along it behind maddened beasts an
other. Down the turnpike the browns
swept furiOusly, stretching, quicken
ing stride names tossing. At the cross
road they wheeled. Ashley flung an
arm about Rosalind, saying hoarsely,
Hold hardr' The trap went down the
steep descent upon the rim of two
wheels, but by a miracle did not upset.
Before its occupants caught breath
they were jouncing and bouncing peril
ousIy over big rocks and roots. Now
and again through the tree trunks
Rosalind caught the sullen CLEAN of
slack water below. Ashley covered
at the sight He made to fling loose
the reins, crying: Jump! Tit is the
only chancew
BE stillr' Rosalind commanded,
snatching the reins. Don't speak,
The horses hate you so l shall never
stop them if they hear your voice"
Obediently he crouched in the sway
ing, rocking vehicle, hiding his eyes
with shaking hands, while Rosalind
leaned steadily forward, now Stacking
pull a bit, now gently drawing in an
inch of rein. She spoke to the mad
dened beasts, gently, cheerily. 1t was
in the game she played with death.
Unless she could check them before
they came to the sharp ramp where
the road climbed higher the trap would
inevitably topple. Once in the water,
the suck of the mill race would do the
rest. Strong swimmers could not fight
against it, and she could not swim a
stroke. AS for the thing covering be-
side her, it could not even save itself.
Suddenly she dropped to her knees,
flung herself as far forward as posi-
BILE, pulled in with all her strength and
at the same time spoke sharply to the
browns. Sandy had said as he taught
her the trick, cit makes q runaway