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

AS 1uOl pSb
leep into his trousers pockets anu
,rier pipe Of honorable age Det"een
,is teeth, strobe along the road III lne
mellow sunshine of early a~rternoon
10 h,1mmed gay arias and thanked LIS
,tars that he was alive.
He laughed boyishly when a startieo
scampered nimbly across
lis path and from the safe seciu-
zion Of a friendly maple berateo 1ne
intruder roundly in a shrlll chattef'
ne took an imaginary shot at a par
ridge which rose abruptly iron q
slump of bushes; he sent a mocKln
challenge to q flock Of honking geese
winging their way southwark.
Presently he came upon a tallen
tree lying invitingly by the roadside.
Thorpe accepted the tacit inv1tauon
and. seating himself upon the log, a
become %engrossed in a friendly quar-
rel between two belated blackbirds
when he heard the clatter of hoofs ana
The rattle Of wheels coming down the
road.
He peered cautiously around a 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 ner'
looking decidedly stunted by reason
of his much lower seat, was a trim,
hultless and impressive 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, wav-
ing the ancient brier 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 a magnificent
outward calm and an intent scrutiny
of the distant landscape.
ooh, 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, l imagined I was a very terrify-
ing personality in my Claude Duval
role. I'm disappointed. You've hurt my
feelings by not displaying proper
Alarm
Tha 0irl Ia ,,phod
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 a 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 a meaning wink.
Thorpe thrust his hand into his pock-
ct In a 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 q 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. II suppose l must
obey"
"My temper is uncertain" he remind.
ed her.
The girl flicked 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 g1r)
! observed.
8 Il know it." Thorpe returned calmly
"Had you any idea I wanted to return
s to town at once?"
j "You said you wanted a ride back t.
town." she reminded him.
!, II did, I'll admit" said he, "but
, didn't say l desired to take the direct
! road there"
"Well. where are you goingY' sht
asked.
9 Thorpe smiled guardedly.
II intend, with your assistance" h.
4 announced. ito drive to paradise"
"What?" she gasped.
Thorpe's smile b%roadened.
: 1T may be far, it may be near" h,
: said musingly, ''but that it lies some
where along this road l am foolish,
confident"
: what on earth are you ta,k,n,
+ about9' she asked in amazement.
1T has long been conceded b,
thoughtful theologians," said Thorn.
oracularly, that paradise is n stat
7 rather than a place. I expect to enta
that felicitous state when Won 90,
you'll marry me. Nan, and l expect Va,
n % furnish me with admission Soma
where along this road. Am | wrono !,
y being optimistic7" :
= The girl surveyed the famine -,
: tumn colors in silence for a time.
Suppose" she said at length, chat
tnat ! say you are wrong?"
Thorpe brought the cob to a sion
4 Il shall get out and walk toruo,
not paradise" he said. "e'
!. The girl sail noth,r.