The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-11-11
THORNY ROSE

l A HUN NO4 Ak lCopyrisht. isJg. by the s. s. Mcclure l Company.l Rosalind stood snlltiug the white hon eysuckle outside the porch, her nose dellcately tip tilted. her eyes dancing. sandy Bowman leaned heavily against tbe opposite pillar. trying to glover at her. but failing miscrably. "lf you can bring yourself Co marry such a noddy ns Ned Ashley for the sake of his mon- ey. you're sowing sorrow; that's all l have got to say"
 "Oh. thank you" Rosaliud said sweetly. But. really. Is there a press Ing need of your suyipg anythingt'
 "Yes, Just this. Sandy rctorted, his mouth setting Obsuuately. "l love the ground under yOUr feet but l won't trot tandem with that fellow. You have got to take one of us. Which shall lt bef'
 He folded hls arms and came a step nearer. Rosaliud pouted diyinely. You are-horrid, and you can go away. see Ned Ashley coming down the lane We are to go for a drive"
 "Not behind those browns Of his! Ashley Is as cruel and cowardly to his horses as he will be Co his wifc-when he has one. They bave run away three times within month. You must not rtet- ftps NfI rrfeI nrhnst
 Unconsciously he gripped her arm SO tightly it made her vince. She shook herself free. saying angrlly, "Ny father, even. does not say shall not to me"
 What's an this-you two quarrel lngy" Ned Ashley Wng out refining bis panting horses in close beside the step. "Come quick. Nils, Rose We are go- ing the mill road
 "Risk your own ieck as much as you Ike. I shall not let you risk Roses Sandy broke In.
 Ashley scowled. "Rlsk is what makes life worth liv.ug ls it not, Mss RoseF be asked. "We kugw we have not be- tween us a drop of towards blood.'
 Tt is worse than cowardly to take a woman Into needless danger Sandy said. keeping fast hold of Rose.
 Let me go." Rose said desperately. Ashley struck down Sandy's band and whipped away. with Rose at his side.
 CT have wondered an along how you endured his insol,1ce' Ashley said. Rose turned reseNtfully from him, saylng half over be- shoulder: "l never want to see him again. | hate him nearly as much as ! bate you"
 "Ha! My rose Is thorny" Ashley said. with a lazy lsugh, beginning Co hum:
 High on Che hills Lord Heron he dwells. Rosalind sings on the moor below
 Rosallnd put out Der hand. "Leave my song and my ua-ie alone" she said lmperiouSly.
 "If may not sing. what may doT
 "What you like
 Ashley's breath came hard. 'i Ike thlsr be cried cXuitauty drawing her close and kissing her on thc fore. head. eyes aud liIs One arm held her fast. The re.us lay halt gi1spcd In the other hand St.u thc team might not have m'suscd their advantage had not a bunch of hlpJtng young cattle suddenly broken ost ot 90 crossroad right under their noses. Instantly the browns took bits in teeth and were on like thc wind
 On the turnpike that would not have greatly mgtfCrcd. but a mile ahead was a crossroad. roTgh. rocky and running along a hillside at whlse foot the mill pond stretched ID drive over it, talk ing care. y-as one thing. Co be dragged along lt behind mJddcned beasts an- other Down the turnpike Che browns swept furiou>ly, a stretching, quicken. ing stride. names tossing. At the cross road they wheeled Ashley flung an arm about R0ssl.nd. saying hoorsely Hold hard"' 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 bouncing and bouncing peril ous.y over tig rocks aal rCo.s. Now and again tlrouch t"o tree trunks Rosclud caueh, thc suiu -.am of slack water ,elC As..ey covered at the sight uc made Co ding loose the reius. crying. Iywu' lt-it Is the only chance
 Be stur Roslliuj commanded. snatchiug the rcins. Don't speak. The horses hate you SO shall never stop them if they begr vour voice."