The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-02-12
Woman Disposes
JOHN C. FISCHBECK
Copyright. 1909. by Daily Story Pub. Cos

of this fair province of Virginia. | was
81 young gallant then, and not a some
what sluggish dullard, as | have be-
come. And Nine. Clarendon, whom you
may see knitting placidly by the window
yonder, was neither elderly nor gray
haired. She was as lissome a young lass
rs one might wish to see, and when
saw her first, riding along country lane
on her palfray, l felt that Cupid's arrows
had wounded me once for all.
Now, this is a 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 a
pleasure-loving monarch, howbeit he
dwelt across the seas, encouraged his
people in all such harmless indulgences.
&c was at a neighbours place, where we
were enjoying a dance, not long before
the beginning of the holiday season, that
/ made my bow to sweet Mistress ru-
deuce Haywood. But she would have
none of me, tossing her pretty head and
busting off on the arm of one of her 9TH
er Suitors.
L thought this a bad beginning, but re-
minded me of the proverb about the
brave and the fair, and determined to
press my suit. 1t CHANGED that her
father had been an old comrade of mine
in the Indian wars, and | soon found
means to visit him. The old man re-
celved me cordially, and as we sat over
our mugs in the comfortable wainscotted
hall of his fine old dwelling, he rehearsed
90 me the eventful story of his cam
paigus. l listened with outward re-
spect, but, as / confess with some
shame, with small attention; because
Mistress Prudence served us from time
TO 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 graces, l was assiduous
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 twelyemonth l knew no
better how | stood in her estimation
than | did at the beginning.
Christmas eve al approaching, and
with the, decline of the year came~fre-
quent storms and tremendous SHOWS,
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 perllous, and hardly a morn
Ing apassed 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
"a Ilsacneruus creek. could not leave
sny lonely hall in such weather without
q decent excuse, and for a week searched
I'm Vain for q reasonable pretext to dare.
dhesdangerous roads and see, Prudence
again. | was vefy much in love, and it
seemed at length as though / would risk
AMI. danger, Just to see her sweet>face
again.
At last / could no longer deny the
qualification of my desire. So, saddIing
my horse, Dobbin, I pushed through the
heavy drifts and on to Holloway hall,
passinaraver the great stone bridge
across the river which separates the
two estates. noted that the ice had ac-
cumulated perilously against the CEN
trail arch of the bridge. and remarked to
myself that there would be risk, an the
weather moderated not, of the ancient
structure collapsing before the ire
gnsnfous pressure. AT another time or
on another mission, / might have dis
sliounted and made an examination of
the masonry, but l pushed on, assuring /.
myself that there was no immediate
peril, and that the stonework had stood.
so winters, even if none so severe as
this. and would doubtless survive a few
brief days Of stress.
AS | brushed the snow from nv cloa,,
i'm the porch Of Holloway, Icould not but
feel q sense of foolishness, for having
Ventnred on a visit at a time SO evident
ty unpropitions. Old Master Haywood
was absent, but Prudence met me at the
door.
Why, Master Clarendon" she said
5sancily, tits a rough wind that blows
you hitler. Shall I bid you welcome. q
g
AS you prefer" / answered, somewhat
SHINY, LOT l was nettIed at the mockery
IN her eyes. But since / come so far
and by such dangerous roads, j NAV fell
Fou that have IN object ii doing sosa
a sudden color famed into her cheeks
and she drew back with a little exclama.
aaon partly surprise and partly coauetry
forsuchislth manner Of girls.
Fear not cried. the sight of her
tiearface putting TO fight all thatimiditr
gf tfSs Previous moment, all / haye =
Yau. Prudence!
paused for an answer. Bit nausn
sord said she, She stood there sml,a
Inns. SILL
IS saafry ne my dear began again.
s1ssss ano then ! went ID ID Iii her how