The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-14
(copywrighted.)

ssfSood- bye, MON, m on, SANS '
n shrlll little voice. A moment later
young girl lcaped on the back or the
mustang standing outside the gate, ana
with a merry laugh cantered away ana
was soon lost In the distance.
The woman addressed as MON STOOD
watching her with a curious look on her
somewhat pinched face. then gave
sigh and re-entered the house.
This quiet little place. on the out
skirts OF the Eastern city OF B. was
the home OF Richard Holkes and his
wife Annie. That they were poor was
plainly seen by the interior OF the house
but there was an air Of cleanliness pre-
vading the atmosphere which could he
felt as one entered the humble abode.
In a chair drawn near the window sat
n man with a blanket wrapped about
his stopping shoulders. 1t was seen at
a glance he was an invalid His face
was worn and saddened by intense suf-
fering and his frame emacaated by dis-
ease This as the treader will readily
infer was Richard Holkes. who had
been taken III soon after moving In from
the west.
In a feeble voice. as his wife entered.
'Oh. of with her horse, as usual, instead
OF helping me-" responded the woman.
ITS too bad Dick. about that girl; she
thinks OF nothing but that horse from
morning Till night Sometimes ! think
we had better send her away. Here we
have done our best for her ever since
we found the girl and her horse roam
ing about the prairie both nearly fam
laAA 81 ur. r.sA1 nat mas O.
ago, Dick. l wish / knowed who she is
She's lazy about the horse-never helps
me with the chores. It's another mouth
20 feed and-and-you know. Dick. we re
getting pretty low in the money lne
Mr.. Rollins was here agn Yesterday. and
said n we don't pay of that mortgage
soon he will foreclose and put us out.
Oh. Dick, what are we going 10 do. and
how are we going to get n hundred and
seventy-five dollars? It's too bad-you're
so sick. and l." and the poor woman
broke down completely and wept on her
husbands shoulder.
Never mind, Annie" he answered
gulping dows a lump which rose In his
throat at what she had said: I'm sure
1t will come out all right somehow-per-
haps Rollins won't be so hard How
ever. that mortgage ought to be paid
but how,
scene just enacted. that was not sus-
pected. I'm the person OF Bess, who had
Broken a strap, and on that account re-
tirned sooner than usual. She stood
there. thoughtfully and silently. with
tears in her great blue eyes.
"Laxy!--good for nothing!-thinking Of
nothing but horse-to be sent away
mortgage To be paid" These were the
things that were revolving themselves
In, fhn nd ~ vir ri
stood for a few seconds longer with a
strange expression shadowing her face.
Then she lapsed back into her former
self. brushed away the tears and walked
into the room.
so you've KEN back. hev your" was
the inquiry
''Yes. mom." was the only response.
Ken you fix the table for dinner Bes-
sie?" asked Mrs Holkes
Yes. mom'
Now l wonder what's got into that
girl today?" she remarked, as Bessie left
the room for moment ''She hasn't
said a thing except yes mom. since she
KEN back. and she's generally so chip
per like after her ride"
At this moment Bessie entered the
room, dropped the pail she was carrying
In the middle Of the floor, stood mo-
ment then said: Cant help you set the
table. mom-want to take a ride"
WHAT said Mrs. Holkes. looking up:
''you've just KEN back"
Cant help it--got TO go--feeI like rid
ing" and with these words she darted
through the open door. mounted her
horse. and was OF in a minute
That girl! exclaimed the poor woman
will she never become civilized? Look
at her. Dick" she said. pointing TO Bess.
ns she galloped madly down the road
boppaf off nd hai ir HvipD ssIa,,, 81. 49,
,ede. don't she? It's too bad she's so
<eadstrong but then. Dick. Il does seem
Svful lonesome when she's gone, don't
II? She's just little thoughtless, that's
ell. reckon"
When Bess leaped into the saddle her
heart was fun of strange emotions. Was
she as bad as she had been pictured?
Had she always been n trouble and ex-
pense TO them all along?
She leaned over her horses neck and
burst into food Of tears Nell. my
pet" she sobbed. putting her arms about
her horses neck. you're all I've got In
the world. and-and the only one that
loves me-" The horse whinnied softly.
But I'll show 'em-I'll show 'em their
Kindness is not misplaced III pay that
mortgage. and 10 do IL sell Nell II neces-
sary."
Sell Nell il would so hard indeed.
She rode along the dusty road. thinking
yes. this 'harum scarum'' girl was
thinking. Riding into one of the main
streets. flaming poster pasted on n
fence caught her eve. II was the an
nouncement Of tho great fair. the prin-
cipsl attraction being the running race
the prize amounting TO $500. "
Whoa"
The horse stopped Bess read. re-read.
and thought Why couldn't Nell run in
that racer She could, She will run,
Into the town she rode and I'm her
youthful way made inquiries OF some
hystanders about the coming races. who
laughed among themselves at the lively
interest little Bess took In horses and
racing. THAT girl is thorough horse
woman. said ono. a great rider" saws
another. These were a few of the re-
marks passed on her as she left them
and rode on.
She had received tho desired inforrna-
ton regarding the man who had charge
Of fha races and aut 10 a. 49,.