Evening journal., 1905-04-18

OF THORPE

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, strode 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 a startled
chipmunk scampered nlmbly across
his path and from the safe seciu.
sion of a friendly maple berated the
intruder rOundly in a shrill chatter;
he took an imaginary shot at a par.
fridge which rose abruptly from al
cnmp of bushes; he sent mocking
challenge TO a 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 a friendly quar-
rel between two belated blackbirds
when he heard the clatter Of hoofs and
the rattle OF wheels coming down the
road.
lie peered cautiously around bar
berry bush which obstructed 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.
faultless and impassive groom.
Thorpe chuckled delightedly.
"By Georgew he said, rising and
snealSine behind the barberry bush.
by GeOrger
When the turnout reached his re-
treat Thorpe sprang from the bushes
and caught the horse by the bride.
stand and deliverr' he cried way
ing the ancient bricr menacingly.
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 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
p0sedly from the elevated seat.
"Only mew he exclaimed. Now, see
here. l imagined / was a very, terrify-
ing personality in my Claude Duvai
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-
I liverg" she ASKED.
Thorpe dropped the bride and came
round to the side OF the trap.
Il think I'd be satisfied with a ride
back to town" be said.
The girl raised her eyebrows.
Il don't see where we can stow
you" she objected.
"I think Haskins needs exercise, F."
said Thorpe. eying the groom critic
ally and with a meaning wink.
Thorpe thrust his hand into his pock-
ct in 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.
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. Il suppose 1 must
obey"
my temper is uncertain" he remind
ed her.
The girl clicked the cob lightly witt
the whip and they sped down the road
Thorpe suddenly gathered the reins in
TO his own hands and headed the cot
In the opposite direction.
''That isn't the way to town." the glr
observed.
''I know IT," Thorpe returned calmly
"Had you any idea 1 wanted to return
to town at onceT
"You said you wanted a ride back &c
town." she reminded him.
Il did. I'll admit" said he, 'but
didn't say / desired to take the direct
road there"
''wen. where are you goingT she
asked.
Thorpe smiled guardedly.
Il intend, with your assistance" he
announced, "to drive to paradise"
''What?" she gasped.
Thorpe's smile broadened.
1T may be far, It may be near" hs
said musingly. "but that it lies some
where along this road / am foolishly
confident"
"What on earth are you talking
about?" she asked in amazement.
1T has long been conceded by
thoughtful theologlans," said Thorpe
oracularly. "tlat paradise is a STATE
rather than a place. l expect TO entei
that felicitous state when you say
you'll marry me. Nan, and l expect yol
TO furnish me with admission some
where along this road. Am / wrong il
being optmistief'
The girl surveyed the flaming au
tumn colors in silence for a time.
Suppose" she said at length, that
that say you are wrongT
Thorpe brought the cob TO a stop.
81 shall get out and walk lowell
! not paradise" he said.
, The girl said nothing, and Thorp'
moved uneasily.
"Shall I walk 2" he said.
"You'd-you'd better keep TO the orig
inal quest, it seems 10 me-" she said ii