Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-03

DAILY SHORT STORY
eoLDNEss OF THORPE.
1865. by T. c. Mcclure.l

The early froStS nau done their
work thoroughly. and on either side
of the road the trees Haunted gorgeous
habiliments of gold and scarlet.
As Thorpe. with his hands thrust
deep into his trousers pockets and a
brier pipe of honorable age between
his teeth, strobe along the road in the
mellow sunshine of early afternoon
he hummed gay arias and thanked his
stars that he was alive.
He laughed bOyishly when q startled
chipmnk scampered nimbly across
his path and from the safe Seclu-
sion of a friendly maple berated the
intruder roundly in a shrill chatter;
he took an imaginary shot at par
fridge which rose abruptly from n
clump of bushes; he sent a knocking
challenge to flock OF honking geese
winging their way southwark.
Presently he came upon fallen
tree lying invitingly by the roadside.
Thorpe accepted the tacit invitation
and, seating himself upon the log, hal
become engrossed in a friendly qua
rel between two belated blackbirCs
when he heard the clatter of hoofs and
the rattle of wheels coming down the
road.
He peered cautiously around bar
berry bush which INSTRUCTED his range
of vision and beheld trap approach
ing smartly. On the elevated driving
seat was a girl, correct in every detail
of her park FORM" and beside her,
looking decidedly stunted by reason
of his much lower seat. was a trim,
faultless and impassive groom.
Thorpe chuckled delightedly.
"By GeorgeT he said, rising and
sneakfng behind the barberry bush.
'By George"
When the turnout reached his re-
treat Thorpe sprang from the bushes
and caught the horse by the bride.
STAND and deliver he cried, wav-
ing the ancient brier menacingly.
The onslaught was so sudden that
the girl gave n little squeal of alarm.
which she instantly tried to cover with
nervous laugh. while the groom en-
deavored TO atone for the mOmentary
unfolding of his arms by magnificent
outward calm and an intent scrutiny
of the distant landscape.
"Oh. so it's only you. after ALL" said
pOsedly from the elevated seat.
"Only mer' he exclaimed. Now, see
here. / imagined was a very terribly
ing personality in my Claude Duval
role. I'm disappointed. You've hurt my
feelings by not displaying proper
alarm"
The girl laughed.
"Wen. sir. kindly notice I'm stand
ing Now. what would you have me de-
liver" she asked.
Thorpe dropped the bride and came
round to the side of the trap.
"I think I'd be satisfied with a ride
back to town." he said.
The girl raised her eyebrows.
II don't see where we can stow
you" she objected.
Il think Taskins needs exercise"
said Thorpe, eying the groom critic
ally and with meaning wink.
Thorpe thrust his hand into his peck
ct in n manner whose meaning could
not be mistaken. whereat the grinning
Haskins sprang out with alacrity.
Eyes. sir. Quite likely. sir" he said
as he began with much ostent0tion to
tighten a girth.
Thorpe slipped a coin into the
groom's hand and climbed into the
cart.
"Drive on" he commanded the girl in
stentorian tones.
you certainly are bold highway
man." she said. at suppose 1 must
obey"
MY temper is uncertain" he reTind-
ed her.
The girl fiicked the cob lightly with
the whip. and they sped down the road.
Thorpe suddenly gathered the reins in
to his own hands and headed the cob
in the opposite direction.
"That isn't the way to town." the girl
observed.
81 know It." Thorpe returned calmly.
Had you any idea wanted to return
to town AZ onceE'
You said you wanted a ride back to
town" she reminded him.
Il did. I'll admit" said he, but I
didn't say 1 desired to take the direct
road there"
well. where are you going?" she
asked.
Thorpe smiled guardedly.
81 intend, with your assistance" he
"What?" she gasped.
Thorpe's smile broadened.
at may be far, it may be near" he
said musingly. "but that 1t lies some
where along this road 1 am foolishly
confident"
What on earth are you talking
about she asked in amazement
ut has long been conceded by
thoughtful theolOgians," said Thorpe
Oracularly. that paradise is state
rather than place. expect to enter
that felicitous state when you say
you'll marry me, Nan. and expect you
to furnish me with admission some
where along this road. Am wrong in
being optimistic?"
The girl surveyed the flaming au-
tumn cOIors in silence for time.
Suppose" she said at length, that