The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-10-27
BOLDNESS
/. OF THORPE

OF the road the trees fauptcd 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 startled
chipmunk scampered nimbly across
his path and from the safe seclu-
sion of friendly maple berated the
intruder roundly in shrill chatter;
he took. an imaginary shot at par
fridge which rose abruptly from
clump Of bushes; he sent q hooking
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, had
become engrossed in friendly quar-
rel between two belated blackbirds
when he heard the clatter of hOofs and
the rattle of wheels coming down the
road.
He peered cautiously around bar
berry bush which obstructed his range
of vision and beheld trap approach
ing smartIy. 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 trim,
faultless and tmpassive groom.
Thorpe chuckled delightedly.
by George" he said, rising and
sneaking behind the barberry bush.
"By George!'
When tho turnout reached his re-
treat Thorpe sprang from the bushes
and caught the horse by the bride.
"Stand and deliver!' he cried, way
ing the ancient brier menacingly.
The onslaught was SO sudden that
the girl gave little squeal of alarm.
which she instantly tried to cover with
a 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
the girl. smiling down at him COM
posedly from the elevated seat.
"Only me" he exclaimed. "Now, see
here. imagined was 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.
"Well. 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.
| II think I'd be satisfied with 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 meaning wink.
!. Thorpe thrust his hand into his peck
ct in n manner whose meaning could
not be mistaken, whereat the grihning
Haskins sprang out with alacrity.
Eyes. sir. Quite likely, SIR" he said
as he began with much ostentation to
tighten girth.
Thorpe slipped coin into the
!, grooln's hand and climbed into the
cart.
/ "Drive on" he commanded the girl In
stentorian tones.
you certainly are bold highway
| M hn
| obey"
| "My temper Is uncertain" he remind
ed her.
The girl ficked 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.
'"rhat isn't the way to town." the girl
kobscrved.
II know it," Thorpe returned calmly
"Had you any idea wanted to return
to town at onceT"
"You said you wanted ride back to
town." she reminded him.
II did. I'll admit" said he. "but !
didn't say desired to take the direct
road there"
"Wcll. where are you going?" she
asked.
Thorpe smiled guarded1y.
II intend, with your assistance" he
announced, ''to drive to paradise"
"What?" she gasped
Thorpe's smile broadcned.
ut may be far. it may be near" he
Daid musingly. but that 1t lies some.
where along this road I am fooIlshly
confident" t15
What on earth are you talking
nbout?" she asked in amazcment.
1T has long been conceded by
thoughtful theologians," said Thorpe
oracularly, that paradise Is a state
rather than place. expect to enter
that felicitous state when you say
you'll marry me. Nan. and I expect you
to furnish me with admission some.
where along this road. Am l wrong in
being optimistic?"
The girl surveyed the flaming au.
fumn colors in silence for a time.