The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-05
THORNY ROSE
BY MARTHA MccULLocH WILLIAMS

81 have wondered all along how you en-
dured his insolence,' Ashley said Rose
turned iesentfully from his. saying half over
her shoulder: II never want to see him again.
hate him-nearly as much as hate you. y
"Ha. My rose is thorny!' Ashley said.
with lazy laugh, beginning to hum:
High on the hills Lord Heron he dwells;
Rosalind sings on the moor below
Rosaind put out her hand. Leave my song
and my name alone!'' She said imperiously.
Il have to sing of Rosalind. She is always
in mind, Ashley said, with affected meek
ness ''But il may not sing of rosy posy,
what pray, may do?
What you like Rosalind said reckless1y.
AshIey's breath came hard. Il like this"
he cried exultantly, drawing her close and
kissing her on the forehead, eyes and lips
One held her fast. The reins lay half
grasped in the other hand. Still the team
might not have n1isused their advantage had
not bunch of bleating young cattle suddenly
broken out Of a 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 great
ly mattered, but mile ahead another cross
road made in, rough, rocky and running
along hillside at whose foot the mill pond
stretched. It was SO shady and secluded,
Ashley had meant to go over It, but to drive
over 1t, taking care, thing, to be
dragged along 1t behind maddened beasts
other. Down the turnpike the browns swept
furiously, a stretching. quickening stride.
names tossing. At the crossroad they
lind, saying hoarsely Hold hard!' The
trap went down the steep descent upon the
rim of two wheels, but by miracle did not
upset. Before its occupants caught breath
they were jouncing and bouncing perilousy
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! lit is the only
chance!"
/. BE still! Rosalind commanded, snatehing
the reins. Don't speak! The horses hate
yQN SO shall never stop them il they hear
your voice"
Obediently he crouched in the swaytng,
rocking vehicle, hiding his eyes with shak-
ing hands, while Rosalind leaned steadily
forward, now stacking pull Bit now gently
drawing in an inch of rein. Now and again,
too, she spoke to the uaddened 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 swim
mers could not fight against it, and she could
not swim stroke. AS for the thing covering
beside her, it could not even save itself.
Suddenly she dropped to her knees flung
herself as far forward as possible, 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 run
away think you're coming up with him, and
he stops to find out how you've done it."
| The browns stopped short Rosalind went
| white and trembled SO she could barely spring
| from the carriage, but she flushed beautiful
rosy red when Sandy up with them
| Sandy who had raced after them as soon as
he could get to horse.
| "Of course did not faint you goose! Why
| should with the trouble all over?" she
| asked.
| But Sandy was quite content to be called
a goose. Ashley was sinking away, crest
fallen beyond words, and Rosalind, his thorny
| rose, nestled her hand in his with look CT
| perfect trust.