Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-09-01
A Case of kidnapping.

Dora pushed back her sunbohnst
and looked up, with furtive admi-
ration, at the stalwart figure giving
the finishing touches to the huge load
Of hay.
Ethel had to help about dinner
and couldn't get away. but she made
me come. She said it was too bad for
you to have no company for the last
load"
81 am sorry you were compelled to
come" he replied, little Gtifiy,
"Oh, I wanted to; wouldn't have
missed it for anything. l was never
on load of hay. But, mercy, how
shall l ever get up there?"
He glowed at her warmth, but with
brief I'll help you up, he slid to
the ground, placed a short ladder
against the load, preceded her, and
reached for her hands.
With little shrieks Of alarm, and
declarations that she never could do
it, Dora at last gained the top OF the
ladder and put her hands in his. His
heart leaped fercely, and he paled
little under his tan, but made no sign
of the tumult her touch aroused with
in him.
But she was as well aware of it as
he, and, with malicious intent, clung
to him in affected fright, noting, with
pleasure, his suppressed agitation. 1t
was short ride from the field to the
hay barn; besides, he had the horses
to attend to, 30 there would be no
chance for him to go beyond the limit
she had set for him, and ask the
question she had been fencing for
weeks. She was not sure that she was
ready to be bound; but she was oer'
tain that she did not want to give
him negative answer; she wished
to postpone it; besides, there were
"others," and, she being born CO.
quette, was enjoying herself and did
not want definite change.
With much skill she had played
him and evaded his efforts to obtain
an opportunity to bring matters to
crisis She meant him no harm she
reasoned that little suspense would
perhaps do him good, and she loved
the excitement of the game and rev.
eled in narrow escapes she contrlved
to experience.
This is the last of the hay, now
there is nothing to prevent you join
ing our tennis party this afternoon,
she said, cuddling down in the hay at
his feet, while he stood easily and
firmly, guiding the team through the
gate into the road.
IF you will be my partner" he re-
piled, sitting down beside her, letting
the horses, now they were through, 20
their own gait.
"But I've promised Harry Payne;
and Jessie Carpenter plays much bet
ter than I-besides, she is always try
ing to get you" she Infatuated, de-
murely.
Hang Harry Payne, and Jessie, toO'
for that matter See here, Dora
"Oh, there's Ethel on the porch
waving to US" she interrupted hur-
redly. Harvest home Harvest
home !" she Ghrieked as they passed
the house, scrambling to her feet, with
one hand on his shoulder. The wagon
lurched, and she dropped down again,
flushed and laughing, and began scat
tering hay over him. He did not re-
snond hut sat with syerted face.
"Crosspatoh, she said, lightly. HE
wants his dinner, so he does Well,
it will not be long now. Dinner is to
be unusually early on account of our
party; the men are going to the
house"
He was still silent, and she pouted.
Suddenly she shrieked again: why,
Nat Brunnerl you've passed the gate
its away back there Didn't you
see it?"
"I didn't want to see it, he said,
shortly.
what do you mean2" she cried.
81 mean that you're not going to
get away from me this time til I've
had my sayI"
81 won't listen l won't listen !
She thrust back her bonnet and put
both hands over her esrs.
He drove on quietly. with no at.
tempt to coax or compel hsr attention
down a long hill, up the other eide
and around a corner.
"It's all right, boys" he said to the
horses, as they turned their heads
with an inquiring look, when the