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

VI II
cork thoroughly, and on either sue
II the road the trees Haunted gorgeous
,abiliments OF gold and scarlet.
As Thorpe. with his hands thrust
leep INTO his trousers pockets ana d
,rier pipe OF honorable age oet"een
,is teeth. strobe along the road IN the
mellow sunshine of early afternoon
10 h,1mmed gay arias and thanked MS
,tars that he was alive.
He laughed boyishly when a startleo
ehipmunk scampered nimbiy across
lis path and from the safe seclu-
ZION of a friendly maple berated the
intruder roundly in a shrill chatter;
,e took an imaginary shot at a par
ridge which rose abruptly from d
.lump Of bushes: he sent q mock1n
challenge to a flock Of honking geese
winging their way southwark.
Presently he came upon a fallen
tree lying i~nvitingly by the roadside.
Thorpe accepted the tacit invltauon
and, seating himself upon the log, q
become engrossed in a friendly quar-
-el between two belated blackb1rds
when he heard the clatter of hoofs n
The rattle of wheels coming down the
road.
He peered cautiously around a q
berry bush which INSTRUCTED his
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 impassive groom.
Thorpe chuckled delightedly.
by George" he said, rising and
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, way
Ing the ancient brier m%enacingly.
The onslaught was SO sudden that
the giri gave a little sQueal Of alarm.
which she instantly tried to cover with
q nervous laugh. while the groom en-
deavored TO atone for the momentary
unfolding OF his arms by q magnificent
outward calm and an intent scrutiny
of the distant landscape.
"oh, 50 its only YOU. after ALL said
the girl. smiling down at him COM
posedly from the elevated seat.
Only me" he exclaimed. Nov. see
here. I imagined l was a very terribly
ing personality in my Claude Duyal
role. I'm disappointed. You've hurt my
feelings by not displaying proper
aisrm."
The girl laughed.
We'll. 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 a ride
back to town. he said.
The girl raised her eyebrows.
Il don't see where we can stow
you" she objected.
81 think Haskins needs exercise"
said Thorpe. eying the groom critic
1 any S4N Will Il niScAtlS "luh.
Thorpe thrust his hand into his peck
ct in 3 manne whose meaning could
not be mistaken. whereat the grinning
Hask,ns sprang out with alacrity.
Yes. sir. Quite likely. sir" he said
as he began with much os%tentation to
tighten q girth.
Thorpe slipped q coin into the
groom's hand and climbed into the
cart.
Drive on" he commanded the girl In
stentorian tones.
You certainly are 8 bold highway
man.' she ssid- II suppose l must
obey.
MY temper is uncertain" he remind.
ed her.
The girl licked the cob lightly with
the whip. and they sped down the road.
Thorpe suddenly gathered the reins In
to his W hands and headed the cob
In the opposite direction.
That isn't the way to town" the cir,
observed
Il know t." Thorpe returned calmly,
Had ron any idea I wanted to {
to town at oney
You said you wanted q ride back to
town she reminded him.
II did I'll admit said he. but l
didn't say l desired to take the direct
road there.
Wen. where he ron goinsr" she
asked
Thorpe smiled guardedly.
I intend. with your assistance. be
announced ITO drive to paradise"
-Whafv she gasped-
ThoSpes smile hroadened.
1T may be far. It may be near he
said musingiy, -but that 1t lies some.
where slong this road l am toolIshly
eonndeat-s
What ~ earth are o tslkins
aboutF she asked in amszement.
ut has long been conceded nv
thoughtful theclo9ians," said Thon,e
~oracularfy. that paradise is 8 sr,te
rather than 3 place I expect 10 ente,
thsr feiicirous state when you saw
yo0u marry NE. Nan. and 1 expecr Won
to furnish me with admission soma.
where along this road. Am I vn,ne !,
being opsimEsticF
The girl surveyed the flaming an.
turan cesors IN silence for q time.
Suppose she said at length. "that-
l tASr S3y ron S ,-r.