The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-02-16

Marion rode at an angry gallOp. The
dust was thick and the heat intense
even for July-no weather for riding.
The girl wore a neat blue gown. and
wide straw hat shaded her golden hair
and clouded blue eyes. As she passed
the bayfield,. midway between her IA
TIERS farm and Jim Bradley's, Jim
himself stepped to the road and motion
ed her to stop. She reigned the rough
bay colt up with difficulty and pushed
her lovers hand away when he laid it
on her arm. She gave him no chance
TO speak.
Nov, don't say anything l shall
ride whatever horse l please. See how
quiet he is. anyway Well. suppose
am Killed? Then you will be free to
marry Agnes. since you seem to like
her SO well. You can ride with her
every day. You are free now. for that
natter"
She knew it was an unjust remark,
but jealousy had the upper hand.
Jim Bradley was every inch man,
tan and good looking. His dark eyes
flashed, and his jaw set. He had seen
Marion in a temper before. He tried
to explain.
"But, dearest. she only overlook me
on my way to town. 1t was not
planned by either of us, and have al
ways known her. as have you. Would
you have me tell her you did not allow
me to ride a mile with neighbor?
Where's the harm? You know whom /
love. dear"
"She's always after you. She's in
love with you. She
"No, she is not, but if she were ought
you to be angry with me? And even
then should you blame her? You love
me yourself, don't you? Come, dear, be
reasonable. Let me lead the brute
home, and, if you must ride and get
sunstroke, get it on safe horse" His
masterful air of possession irritated
her as much as it ordinarily pleased
her.
81 don't love you. hate you! Come
Oh, IlHCe' Cuc SdNC NhC lOliS q A''iN
slap, and the colt danced and snOrted
wildly. Jim caught him by the bride
He spoke with repressed anger.
"Well, love me or not, you shall get
| down! You shan't break your neck
just to break my heart You know
plenty of other ways of doing that
Prince has not been saddled half a
dozen times, and | know your father
does not allow you to ride him, though
you are an old hand at horses. And
you know perfectly well that Agnes is
nothing but fricnd. She cares moth
ing for me- She's a nice girl
That's it-stand up for her. jim
Bradley! She told Sue Field that she
would take you from me, and she's
/ done it. Not that | care-much. Let
Prince 20, say!
81 will not. | shall take you down
( and have your father forbid you to
mount him. Sue is only trying to make
trouble. Agnes never said or thought
a thing like that"
Marion sat quietly moment, as if to
eyes were wide, her cheeks glowing.
He dropped the bride and came to
reach his arms up for her. Then sud
denly the demon of pride seized her
/ again. She gave Prince cut that sent
! him out of Jim's reach with one bound.
"Goodby," she called. "You are free.
l wouldn't marry you if you'll would
have to be dead and come to life again
: before l would say l love your
The horse was off at an unruly gal
lop Jim was angry, but his heart
stood still as he watched the little blue
| figure riding away so lightly. Untrust-
worthy as he knew the colt to be, she
seemed to have him under fine control
| She could tame anything but her own
i temper; it was a way she had. Per
haps her own unruly spirit made the
conquest of others easy. OF all her
suitors-and she was much sought
only Jim had ever held his own and
refused to bow utterly under the yoke
! of her will That was why she loved
him and quarreled with him-and had
always come back to him. He was the
stronger, and, while at times she re-