Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-07-14
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in response to her u mistress
Now. then, my beauty" the little
woman was conscious OF a distinct
feeling of relief when the hedge was
passed safely and the sharp, jagged
drop at the other side was cleared in
the animals safe plodding way. She
was settling herself In her saddle with
a determined resolution TO be In at the.
death, when she heard a sharp, crash
ing sound ehind her, and. turning her
head. saw with a feeling of horror inn
possible to describe that Vixen had
failed her master. just at the most
critical moment
The poor beast had caught her hind
legs in the hedge, n although she
made a gallant attempt to right her.
self, ii was all i'm vain, and she rolled
over and over, paying for her morn
ing's perversity and bad temper by a
broken back. And. Courtenay-
With trembling limbs which would
scarcely support her. Mrs. Courtenayy
d~fsmounteds and crossed over to where
he was lying, so still, so motionless,
that she was almost afraid to lay her
hand upon his heart, to see IL life still
remained with him. Yes. there was an
answering beat, and with a sob of re-
lief, she raised his hand upon her lap,
crying as she loosened the fastenings
from about his throat:
ooh, my darling, my darling, I shalt
never forgive myself. It's all my fault
all my fault
As though her voice a cached him
even in his unconsciousness. he stirred
~uneasily, murmuring: I'm all right.
Gladys" drifting away even as he
spoke into that mysterious land which
is so near unto death.
But help was at hand. The thud of
horses hoofs sounded in the distance,
drawing gradually nearer and nearer,
and In a PaVy n,fotafoc fanIne hapdv
were busy rendering willing as
s~istance where II was so sorely needed.
With as little delay as possible a doctor
was summoned, and the still uncor-
scious man was conveyed to a neigh
broing farm house, where for days he
lay and fought his grim battle with
death.
Conclusion of the brain, DIR, Hender-
son pronounced Ii, but Courtenay's
splendid constitution and physique
eventually won the day, and, at last,
when his wife was worn almost to a
shadow, by her ~assiduous attentions
and remorseful upbraidings, he opened
his eyes with the full light of reason in
them, and, seeing her there. put but
his and in a weak uncertain fashion.
She held them closely in q warm, firm
clasp for a moment or two and as she
laid his face against his, he sank into
a calm dreamless sleep, which told her
that all danger was happily past.
After this his ecove was rapid, and
one bright morning he was granted per-
mission to leave his room. IT happened
to be his birthday, and after a painful
ly slow journey down stairs, which re-
minded him he was not quite as strong
as he thought. he settled himself, with
his wife's assistance, as comfortably as
possible, upon the breakfast room sofa,
He also found himself reminded of the,
fact that ha WAC aAfnrinn 19nAn A13nfhats
year of his life, by various letters and
momentos placed upon the little table,
close at hand Languidly examining
them in turns, he. came at last to a
long, narrow cardboard box, with no
address whatever, and, upon opening
1t found TO his establishment a dozen
vivid purple ties.
"Why-why, what's this" he began,
and then a glance at his wife's crimson
ing ace told him who was the donor.
Gladys, why have you given me
these?" he asked tenderly, as he held
out his arms toward her.
"Because-because / want you to
Wear Them" she stammered, shyly, as
she nestled closely to him c~ontentedly
enough, for a most perfect peace and
understanding had reigned between
them ever since he had opened his eyes
to find her pale, anxious face watching
for his return to consciousness.
II shall never do that, my darling"
he answered, kissing her as he spoke,
but 1 will keep them for always-they
will serve TO remind me of my beast OF
a temper"
And also of my love for YOU" broke
in his wife, softly raising an April face.
half smiles, half tears, but wholly
happy. 'Courtenay, we wokt quarrel
ever again, win we?"
mo, sweetheart. Life is too short to
spoil ii by needless tiffs and quarrels''
thinking as he spoke of the illness
which had SO nearly parted them.
Yes, Courtenay." answered the little
woman, brightly. Wen agree to differ,
shall WEI"
And they did.