The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-04-19
NO -=
THOROUGHFARE
By RUTH EDWARDS
Copyright, 1903, by T. c. Mcclure


"well, I neverw Gladys sat down on
the bank of the little stream and gazed
despairingly at the rustic bridge above
her. 'If that isn't just like him! No
Thoroughfare' and the gate locked and
too high to climb. Now. what on earth
am 1 to do anyway
The whispering wind and the lap
ping waves gave her no reply, and,
pulling a letter out of the frant OF her
blouse. she read IL for the third or
fourth time that day. II seemed to re-
store her self confidence. She laughed
to herself wickedly. "Humi Mrs. Gra-
that conceited Jack OF hers No. thank
you; no four mile drive with him.
I'm down here. to be sure. but / won't
speak two words to him all the time
I stay lf I can help It. Sol Oh. dear.
I wish had boatr'
As II In answer to her desire q red
canoe shot out from beyond the bend
and came noiselessly down the river.
A man sat In the stern welding the
paddle with a swift grace. Gladys
arose among the long grass and the
daisies. Her mind was made up.
81 beg pardon" she called as he came
abreast Of her. "'Can you tell me II
there is a way of getting to Mr.. Gra-
hams estate except by this bridge? It
/, seems to be closed
The man In the canoe rested his pad
die across his knees and gazed at her
admiringly.
"why. r. he began. then stopped
There Is an approach by the road" he
said, but IL Is quite two miles to the
other side"
"Oh." she said, 81 know, But I've
walked so far already" She glanced
ruefully down at her dusty patent
leather ties.
| would you allow meY' be asked ca
gerly. Il could take you across In my
canoe"
She blushed charmingly. 81 hate to
trouble you"
Il assure you 1t would give me the
greatest pleasure" he said, with an.
other admiring glance.
With q dextrous stroke or two he
brought the graceful little craft up to
the bank and landed. He was tall and
brown and broad shouldered. and as he
stood looking down at her he saw lit.
tie slender girl with the longest eye.
lashes that ever dropped over a pair OF
gray eyes. in a dark blue foulard, bare.
headed In the golden sunlight, a big
black hat held in one hand. On her
forehead and around her ears danced
little truant wisps Of curly hair.
He helped her into the canoe and
piled the gay cushions at her back
then stepped in after her.
"Where are you goingT she asked as
he pointed the canoe up stream. II un
derstood you to say you would take me
across" she added, with some stateli
ness.
THAT'S such a nasty place to land,
he replied apologetically. Its much
better a little farther up"
His dark eyes sought hers. and they
both laughed. 1t was obvious to thu
most casual observer that the slopin,
shore on the other side was most ad
mirably adapted for Bleaching the ca
noe.
"You seem well acquainted with tn
river" she said demurely. DO yol
know the GrahamsT
He did not answer Immediately.
Yes; charming woman, Mrs. Ora
ham," he admitted at last.
"Oh. yes; lovely. It's a pity her Sol
doesn't take after her." Gladys replied
with high scorn.
Her companion grinned. Its evi
dent you know him." he said.
"Well. l haven't seen him In year.
but when / saw him last he was abso
lutely the most disagreeable. most col
: ceited and altogether most hateful bo
, ever came across" Gladys sat u
quite straight among her cushions wit
) a sudden energy.
"Poor Jackr murmured her con
. panion. "Still. II you haven't seen hir
e for years II isn't impossible that b
I has improved"
r Improved. Well. I'm sure hope 81
] There certainly was room for improv'
mcnt. But I don't believe he has. Tn
v idea OF shutting people out by lockin
3 up that bridge the way he hast 1t
0 Just like him. So afraid any on
would get into his domains. Just q
e | though any one with sense would wal
to-"
Exactly. But possibly he wants
r keep out that class of people suppose
to be braver than angels. you know"
"Fools:" she questioned. Then the
/ both lauybed apnin
.e You're not very polite" she said.
III "How can you expect me TO be syn
,e pathetic when the bridge being locke
g has given me this pleasure?''
le "Ohr' she exclaimed. with incred
10 lous eyes. Anyway. l forgive 20
le But IL I'd had my way shouldn't ha'
been here at ALL"
.r Now, it's you that are impolite."
"A said.
Ia "Yes. and ungrateful." she admit,
Il. frankly. "It's simply lovely out her
Al, It's the only pleasant thing about Il
70 whole trip. Goodness. II you on
knew how I hated to comei I we
r. day and night for weeks. But moth
:. was adamant"
He looked at her appreciatively. wo
A. dering how any human being could
proof against eyes like those filled wi
" tears.
Mothers are inconsistent at times
N. he said. milne, for instance. has be
hS systematically 'ndulging and spoilil
me a.! Lay LII. and now has taken
lnts her head that must marry q q