Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-03-05

| ksA ly and leaned on his shotgun
! ES&8kN in the moonlight by the We
GaAaSSS randa. He and William Todt
mad been kicking down the elder bushe
and, returning to the house, found Min
ME alone on the porch "Safe?" b
SAID to his daughter. who turned al
anxious face upon him. They'll b.
safe enough now. and in our garden"
Maybe I oughtn't to have let then
CO."
Pooh! They're all right. That seal
aWag's half way to Six Crossroads by
this time, isn't he, William?"
He tuck up the fence like scared
rabbit" Mr.. Todd responded, looking
into his hat to avoid meeting the eyes
Of the lady land l didn't have no cal
to foller. He knowed how to run,
reckon. Time Mr.. Harkless come out
the yard again we see. him take across
the road to the wedge woods, near halt
mile up. Somebody else with him
then-looked like a kid. Must "a cut
across the field to join him. They'r.
fur enough toward home by this"
Did Miss Helen shake hands will
you four or five times? asked Briscoe
chuckling.
mo. Why?" said Minnie.
Because Harkless. did. My hand
aches. and guess Williams does too.
He nearly shook our arms off when wa
told him he'd been a fool. Seemed to
do him good. told him he ought to
hire somebody to take shot at him
every morning before breakfast-not
that it's any joking matter" the old
gentleman finished thoughtfully.
81 should say not" said William
with deep frown and jerk of his
head toward the rear of the house
HE Jokes about it enough. Wouldn't
even promise to carry gun after this.
Said he wouldn't know how to use it
never shot one off since he was a boy,
on the Fourth of July. This is the
third time he's ben shot at this year,
but he says the others was at "a
what ID he call it?"
a" "A merely complimentary range"
Briscoe supplied. He handed William
a cigar and bit the end off another him
self. Minnie, you better go in the
house apd read, expect, unless you
want to go down to the creek and join
those folks"
'Mew she exclaimed. II know when
to stay away, l guess. Do go and put
that terrible gun up
CO III Dr;eooo bia o;row
Its all safe; there's no
question of that; but maybe William
md l better go out and take smoke
n the orchard as long as they stay
Town at the creek"
In the garden shafts of white light
pierced the bordering trees and fell
where June roses breathed the mild
light breeze, and here, through sum-
ner spells, the editor Of the Herald
md the lady who had run to him at
he pasture bars strolled down a path
with shadows to where the
reek tinkled over the pebbles. They !
walked slowly, with an air of being
veil accustomed friends and comrades,
nd for some reason it did not strike
ither Of them as unnatural or eXtraor
mary. They came to bench on the
ank, and he made great fuss dust |
ng the seat for her with his black !!
louch hat Then he regretted the hat |
it was a shabby old hat of a Carlow |
ounty fashion.
1t was a long bench, and he seated |
inns raf r1
nd opposite her, suddenly realizing |
hat he had walked very close to her |
oming down the narrow garden path. |
either knew that neither had spoken /
nee they left the veranda, and it had
AIKEN them long time to come
trough the little orchard and the gar
EN-. She rested her chin<on her hand,
aiming forward and looking steadily
the creek. Her laughter had quite
one; her attitude seemed little visit
IL and little sad. He noted that her
air curled over her brow in a way he
ad not pictured In the lady of his |
'eams. This was so much prettier.
e did not care for tall girls. He had
1t cared for them for almost half an
,ur. 1t was so much more beautiful
be dainty and small and piquant.
e had no notion that he was signing
way that would have put fur
ice to shame, but he turned his eyes
ON her because he feared that if he
oked longer he might blurt out some
eech about her loneliness. His
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