The Forrest City times., 1904-02-12
Woman Disposes
 By JOHN C. FISCHBECK
Copyright. 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Col


 Copyright. 1903. by Daily Story Pub. Co)
 HIS happened 20 years ago, when good MT. Spotswood was governor of this fair province of Virginia. was a young gallant then, and not some what sluggish dullard, as have be- come And Mme Clarendon, whom you may see knitting placidly by the window yonder, was neither elderly nor gray haired. She was as lissome young lass as one might wish to see. and when saw her first, riding along country lane on her palfrey, felt that Cupid arrows had wounded me once for all.
 Now, this is bit of personal history, and refers to Christmas time and stormy weather, such as sometimes happens, though but rarely, in our Virginia. There were many merry -makings in the coun- try in those days, when the example of pleasure-loving monarch. howbeit he dwelt across the seas, encouraged his people in all such harmless indulgences. IL was at a neighbor's place, where we were enjoying a dance, not long before the beginning of the holiday season. that l made my bow to sweet Mistress Pru- dence Haywood But she would have none of me, tossing her pretty head and bustling off on the arm of one O: her oth- CT suitors.
 thought this bad beginning but re- minded me of the proverb about the brave and the fair, and determined to press my suit. It chanced that her father had been an old comrade of mine in the Indian wars, and l soon found means to visit him. The old man re- eelved me cordially, and as we sat over cur mugs in the comfortable wainscotted hall of his fine old dwelling, he rehearsed to me the eventful story of his cam paigns. I listened with outward re- spect, but, as l confess with some shame, with small attention; because Mistress Prudence served us from time 10 time, as the mugs ran dry-talking being thirsty work-as my eyes and ears were for her alone
 need not say that once established in the good mans graees, was assduous in my wooing But Prudence put me off with the art of which every maid however country bred, is mistress. At the end of the twelvemonth knew no better how I stood in her estimation than l did at the beginning.
 Christmas eve was approaching, and with the decline of the year came ire Quent storms and tremendous snows, such as the people of the vicinage had not seen for a time longer than com passed by the memory of the oldest man amongst us. Travel was not only diff cult, but perilous. and hardly a morn ing passed but brought tidings of dis tress, not rarely coupled with the news that some daring equestrian had sue cumbed to the cold or been whelmed in treacherous creek l could not leave my lonely hall in such weather without decent excuse, and for week searched In vain for reasonable preteXt to dare the dangerous roads and see Prudence again. l was very much in love, and 1t seemed at length as though 1 would risk any d1nger, just to see her sweet face again.
 At last l could no longer deny the qualification of my desire. So. saddling my horse, Dobbin. l pushed through the heavy drifts and on to Holloway hall, passing over the great stone bridge across the river which separates the two estates noted that the ice had ac- eumulated perjlously against the cen tral arch of the bridge, and remarked to myself that there would be risk, an the weather moderated not, of the ancient structure eollapsing before the tre- mendous pressure. At another time or on another mission. l might have dis mounted and made an examination of the masonry, but I pushed on, assuring myself that there was no immediate peril. and that the stonework had stood 60 winters, even if none so severe as this and would doubtless survive a few brief days of stress.
 As l brushed the snow from my cloak in the porch of Holloway, l could not but feel a sense of foolishness, for having Yentured on visit al time so evident ly unpropitious Old Master Haywood vas absent, but Prudence met me at the door
 Why, Master Clarendon" she said. saucily, 'tis rough wind that blows you hither Shall 1 bid you welcome. or no?"
 As you prefer, Unanswered, somewhat stiffiy, for was nettled at the mockery in her eyes. But since come so far and by such dangerous roads, may tell you that have an object in doing so."
 A sudden color famed into her cheeks and she drew back with little exeIama- ton, partly surprise and partly coquetry for such is the manner of girls.
 Fear not" I cried. the sight of her rsa.. Ian l. aI