The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-05-26
ROLDNESS
OF THORPE

,o,,. thoroughly, and Oh either sac
- tho road the trees Haunted gorgeous
,obiliments Of gold and scarlet.
As Thorpe, with his hands tnrus'
leep into his trousers pockets anu
,rier nine of honorable age bet"een
,is teeth, strobe along the oau III INC
mellow sunshine of early AFTERNOON
10 hummed gay arias and thankeo LID
,tars that he was awe.
He laughed boyishly when a starlieu
.hipmunk scampered nimbly ACROSS
,is path and from the safe sec!u-
ZION of a friendly maple berateo uo
intruder roundly in a shrlll chattei'
Ne took an imaginary shot at a par
ridge which rose abruptly from d
slump of bushes; he sent a mocKlns
challenge to a flock of honklng geese
winging their way southwark.
Presently he came upon a fallen
tree living invitingly by the roadside.
Thorpe accepted the tacit inV1taton
and. seating himself upon the log, hao
become engrossed in a friendly quar-
roll between two belated blackDlrds
when he heard the clatter of hoofs ana
The rattle of wheels coming down the
road.
He peered cautiously around a bar
berry bush which INSTRUCTED his range
of vision and beheld a 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
hultless and impressive groom.
Thorpe chuckled delightedly.
"By George!" he said, rising n
sneaking 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 brler m~enacingly.
The onslaught was SO sudden that
the girl gave a little squeal of alarm,
which she instantly tried to cover with
a nervous laugh, while the groom en-
deavored to atone for the lnomentary
unfolding Of his arms by a magnificent
outward calm and an intent scrutiny
Of the distant landscape.
"Oh. so it's only you, after all" said
the girl, smiling down at him com
posedly from the elevated seat.
"Only me-" he exclaimed. "Now, see
here, I imagined 1 was a very terrify-
ing personality in my Claude Duval
role. I'm disappointed. You've hurt my
feelings by not displaying proper
alarm"
The girl laughed.
swell. sir, kindly notice I'm stand.
ing. Now, what would you have me de
livery" she asked.
Thorpe dropped the bride and came
round to the side of the trap.
II 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.
II think Haskins needs exercise"
said Thorpe, eying the groom critic
ally and with a meaning wink.
Thorpe thrust his hand into his peck
, ct In a 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 ostentation to
: tighten a girth.
i 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 a bold highway.
: man." she said. II suppose I must
obey"
u my temper is uncertain" he remind.
n ed her.
The girl flicked the cob lightly with
s the whip, and they sped down the road
Thorpe suddenly gathered the relns In,
to his W hands and headed the cot
> in the opposite direction.
:. '"That isn't the way to town." the cir
q observed.
IS II know it." Thorpe returned calmly
"Had you any idea I wanted to return
IS to town at once?"
- "You said you wanted a ride back t.
town." she reminded him.
II did, I'll admit said he, "but
= didn't say l desired to take the direc
u road there"
n "Well, where are you goingY" sh,
n asked.
le Thorpe smiled %guardedly.
ID II intend, with your assistance" b,
announced. ito drive to paradise"
; "What?' she gasped.
! Thorpe's smile broadened.
1T may be far, 1t may be near" b,
- said musingly, but that it lies some
III where along this road l am foolish,,
confident"
j. What on earth are YOU talk,n,
ar about?" she asked in amazement.
y. 1T has long been conceded h,
thoughtful ~theologians," said Thorn
o%racularly, that paradise is n stat
~ rather than a place. l expect to enta
g. that felicitous state when Won co.
you'll marry me, Nan, and 1 expect vo'
1n to furnish me with admission sorc
~ where along this road. Am | WRONG !;
~ being optimistic7"
The girl surveyed the flaming .,
tumn colors in silence for a time.
Suppose" she said at length, Chat
E l INA l CAV vyNv1 n No ~-~--