Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-11-16

The horses are fresh, and eager for
work, and for time he drives, but
presently he puts the reins In her
hands.
According to PROMISE he says
Hold EN- tight while /" and he
bends down and searches for some
, thing under the Geat box.
oh, how beautifully they co. she
says, half to herself What is 1t yop
are looking for, your gra-Lord
Yorke?
Never you mind You look after
the horses"
Leslie laughs, and laughs again, IS
he comes up, red in the face, and
with n Scotch wrap in his hand.
Are you so cold ?" she asks.
Very" he responds. IT'S going to
snow, | fancy"
why, 1t Is quite close" she says
removing her eyes for a moment from
the horses to glance at him with smIl-
ing surprise. 1T seems hotter than IL
has been all day"
And as she speaks, a low, rumblinS
rolls over their heads and a fash Of
light cuts across the heavy sky.
THAT is lightning" she exclaims.
1T Is rather like it, he admits,
dryIy.
Did you bring any lamps asked
the duke.
Mary one" replies Yorke, grimly.
Slang away; can beat it-and de
serve IT," he mutters, glancing at the
glrlish figure beside him.
Mr.. Llsle looks round absently.
I'm afraid tit Is going to rain, -
he says.
In another moment 1t IL raining.
Yorke takes the rug in both hands an
deity wraps 1t round Leslie.
"Oh, no, pleased" she says, and sac
chances behind her, Give 1t to him
Mr., Temple"
1T would be more than my life =
worth" he says, Il dare not offer 7
to him Please let me fasten it-how
shall /? Give me u hair-pin.'
You must hold the horses, then,
she says.
Il can see one sticking out, he says.
We'll, take It, then" she responds,
innocently, and all unconsciously for
she is thinking Of her driving far more
than the rain or the rug or anythinS
else.
He looks at her intent and absorbed
face and puts his hand and draws the
halr.pn from It's soft and sillten nest,
and she, unheeding, does not know
that his hand trembles, actually
trembles, Ms he fastens the rug
round her,
Now give me the reins." he says,
and keep your head down; we are IN
for u regular storm"
As he speaks, the rain comes down
with Il whiz, as II 1t meant to wash
them off the box.
After all, 1t is perfect picnic
she says,
Burt tho next instant her laugh dies
away; for tho heavens seem to open
before them, q peal of thunder roats
like tho discharge of Il park ui
artillery just above their heads, and
the horses startled and frightened
stop dead short, then rear up on end.
The break sways and for a momenl
it seems as y 1t were going over, ana
Leslie IL forced close up against
Yorke.
He holds the terrified horses with
one hand strong and slips the other
round the slim form tilted up against
him
AN right" he says, In low voice.
Don't be afraid Leslie" His arm
holds her supports her presses her 10
him. perhaps mconsciously. You
'are quite safe. dearest-d dearest,
Low rs his voice Is. Leslie hears
him, or she asks herself is It onlv
fancy
For Il moment, one brief moment,
she covers, nesting to him, her face
hidden against his shoulder, then with
a start she draws away, and, her face
red and white by turns, looks straight
before her
And through the roar of the thunder
and the kissing of the rain she hears
those words re-cChoiug, Leslie
dearest dearest"