The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-12
OXENFORD, HORSEzlAN
By Elara Gaillayd Byrnes.
Copyright by the S. s. Mcclure Co.)

m o USE oxenford's expression,
i Mary was choice. She had. al
ways loved what was serene and pure
and dainty since the days when she
wore socks and pig fTl TILE hat and a g!
his daily spin over Macomb' IS Dam.
Honest John was not above stopping at
various roadhouses for various whis-
kies, and he loudly boosted that he
could leave the child outside to, hold
the lines She was not afraid, by God.
Oxenford s first glimpse Of her was
in front of one of these foadhouses.
There was little of her visible except
her gorgeous hat, and the two small,
steady hands that guided Honest
Johns quivering .trotters round and
round the grassy circle. It was. a win.
ter afternoon and the horses refused to
stand. ID,
Honest John often drove out to see
Oxenford's father, to whom he was
well known as recklessly successful
plunger on the turf. Sometimes he
Oxenford nearly 20, but she suited him
exactly, even then. He used to carry
her out to see the colts. She never
chung nor gabbled, nor seemed conscious
of her ultra gorgeous clothes. Just as
she kept sweet in spite Of the elaborate
fnery with which Honest John over.
loaded her, so she kept her odd little
personality aloof from the coarseness
and fever Of the sporting world into
When she was l6, Honest John Grip
pied himself by; injudieious plunging
and want of money relieved Mary 81
the incubus of his choice in dress. Sht
took to the clean-cut styles that hel
soul loved, and sOxenford was smitter
with painful delight in this new. aspect
"You've hit. it this time, Mary he
said, after serious consideration Of hel
appearance. "Those clothes are al
right You look like a little swell il
'em. ~ - E..
Mary was very fond. Of Oxenford
and, pleased with his -unreserved ap
probation, she hastened to confde I
|; great project to him, Dad was dow1
on bis luck, and she e., was afraid he wa wa
steady loser She he lo Y TO stud s,
do something for herself, somethin,
nice. She wanted to: 90 to the norma
school. She wanted to be a teacher.
i Oxenford looked soberly at her. Fl
had very different ideas for her, bu
, they had to stand for a little. * 3 ::
"What do you want me- to dof" h
MARY WanpSu Hit IQ%puG Ii WOr
: with her father. Honest John laughe
= at her. That his little girl should med
: itate such flights was absurd, some
, thing to be denied with roars Of HI
q meric laughter.
. "Give him a tip-on the quiet,
= said Mary, falling into the vernacula
. in her earnestness.. "Tell him you 7
on the inside, and you know I IN stuc
. on it, and I won't give it up. -
e Oxenford put it that way to Homes
=, John, and Mary went to the norm;
- school.
8 When Mary graduated, Oxenfor
:, sent her the biggest floral horseshc
3 money could buy. Mary, was appalle
. when she beheld it towering on hi
! desk, but her white-gowned classlmatt
IS fortunately did not understand it's 81
q nifeance, and thought her whimsic;
y little thing.
u If Honest John had had his wa
E. Mary would not have been wearin
that unassuming little white dress
a Mary's father! How was he to tell h
sr that he had stopped for Honest job
" and found him in no condition to con
II to Mary's commencement.
TO Mary found Oxenford, when the a
l. sembly broke up, leaning. against
,e doorway, big and silera, in an nnusus
If ly gorgeous waistcoat.,. She had left
err group of classmates s4anda c1assmate