Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-03-12


things as he rode slowly past the Bry-
son orchard. The sunshine accentuat-
ed the weary lines of his face, the de-
Jected droop of his shoulders.
Poor Mr.. Horace Mrs. Bryson said
10 her husband, as he passed her gate,
If ever a man was faithful, he is. But
ne Will never win, and he knows it, |
believe | will ask him for a setting of
turkey eggs" She sped down the walk
as nimbly as If she had been 20 instead
of so.
Mr.. Horace brought his old gray
mare to a halt. and waited for his
neighbor to catch her breath.
Turkey eggs?" he asked, with old
fashioned politeness, certainly, mad
am" Mrs. Bryson drew nearer, and in
her earnestness caught the mare by the
bride rein. "Mr. Horace-NIr. Horace
she said, desperately, 1T is not turkey
eggs! It's been going on so long! You
will never win! Why, you are by
word for counting in the whole settle
ment, Mr.. Horace" pleadingly, for he
was looking down at her in such a
helpless. bewildered fashion. "Rouse
yourself! Marry her in spite of her.
self! Good evening, SIR" She ran
back up the patch to her home.
Mr.. Horace logged on. His face re-
sumed its detection, and his shoulders
dropped sympathetically.
Twenty-Five years is a long look back.
He was slim young fellow, full of
hope and youth, that first Sunday after
noon he rodeaup to Mary Hills gate,
hitched his horse, and went in to begin
the siege of her heart; and she was
young. and the prettiest girl in all the
county.
For ten years he had ridden to her
house, and then had ridden away. The
visits ended suddenly, and a month
later Mr.. Horace was married. Mr..
Horace's little wife never complained,
but at the end of five years she found
the burden of life too heavy, and laid
1t down. 1t was ten years from the
time of his wifes death, and % years
from the time of his first wooing, as he
went up the path to Miss Hills home.
Strange thoughts were thronging his
brain. AS he put one foot behind him
for his old-fashioned bow, he felt de-
cidedly bewildered to hear the words
Master her. Why, you are a by-word
lor counting.
He looked up to see If she had heard
the loud-spoken words. She was smil-
ing and inviting him into the old-fash-
toned parlor.
"All alone?" he questioned.
"Yes," with faint flush at the eager
ness of his tone. And then she told
him that the family were away for
tho DIV With on iropotiaYt ,,ootio,, l. n
passed his hand across his brow, as
though he brushed imaginary cobwebs
from his brain. 'Nows the time.
Marry her nspite of herslef! Rouse
YOURSELF" How the words rang in his
ears.
He asked for some water, and when
Miss Hill returned she dimly realized
that a change had passed over him.
Mr.. Horace had pulled himself together.
He sat down, and held himself erect
He spoke with dignity new to him.
Mary" he said, cts % years since
first hitched my horse to your gate
post and, as look back, it seems all
Sunday afternoon when l have come
to see you"
He grew eloquent. He even men
toned the rides through June sunshine
and December snow, and the horse
grown old in his service. She listened
quietly-her delicate face calm. One
would never have dreamed of the tur-
MOL of her heart. Many a time when
she felt that he needed woman's care
she had pitied him. She had worried
lest his stockings were not darned, his
food well prepared Grieved to the
ri oh i'm
Sunday she regarded her pretty faded
face anXiously as she removed her hat
and looked in the mirror, conscious of
the fresh face in their radiant youth
that occupied the pew behind hers.
I'm so delicate and nervous" 1t had
always been her cry. your children
need a strong will to govern them"
Yours Is strong enough" he said,
grimly.
81 could not be a burden, although
l have money" She lifted her head in
proud way.
TRY me-" he said. "see if 1 find you
burden"
you don't understand" Her eyes
filled with tears. 81 will never marry
you am too delicate!"
"You SHALL" His lips took deter
mined curves she had never seen be-
fore. 81 have been a patient man, but
now"
There's the young minister" she
rose, hurrledly. Entertain him a few
minutes, please" She slipped from the
room.
Marry her In spite of herself. Nowl
Now! Where there is a will" He
started as IL an electric battery had
charged him at the next thought. mo
license needed" He greeted the min
lister quietly. The conversation moved
idly as they waited for Miss Hill to
come in again.
After she had spoken to her guest. |
Mr. Horace crossed the room to where
she stood His shoulders were well |
back, his head held high, his step that
of conqueror. Brother Simms," he
said, gravely, you come at a most OPP |
perfume time. My counting is the talk |
of the neighborhood, and we are going |
to put an end to the gossip"
"Mr. Horace, this is so student" the
minister gasped.
Unlike my courting." grimly.
But the family is awayl"
at is Miss Hill | want to marry.
Will you perform the ceremony, Broth
er Simms?"
mot without witnesses" The min