Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1906-03-31
w HOLE NuMBEn, 1875

were standing all about the conical yell
low stacks. Sue came from the house
and called to her to stop. which she did
TO the colts disgust. Sue leaned on the
fence, and the two girls chattcd mo-
ment.
You better get Off till the engine
comes, Marion. You might meet it,
You've no business on that crazy colt
1t isn't safe | don't see how Jim al
lows it, Marions face famcd.
What has he to say? | am not en-
gagged to him any more. =
Sue gaSpcd, then, with rcmorSc- too
late, as usual-remcmbcrcd what She
had told her friend ON the way from
town that day.
Marion. yoH weren't ever fool enough
not TO know | was joking? What Ag-
nes really said was that Jim was so
silly about you he didn't hear what
she said half the time. Oh. May, I'm
SO sorry"
Rut Marion did not wait. She rode
away.
Prince settled into an ugly, obstinate
SdIloI, SNtINllS ana JuitlnS.
They We're nearing the crossing when
an uncarthly shrek made Marion look
up to see the thrasher engine approach
ing. She urged Prince ON, trying to
reach the corner where the road turned
toward home before the machine came
closer. Her hands trcmbled, but she
remembered that it is fatal to lose
nerve with an unruly horse
Prince Snortcd, laid back his ears,
but went on well enough They were
almost at the corner when the ticndish
shrek came again.
The colt took the bit in his teeth and
boted in utter terror. Marion knew
her danger and kept her head as they
turned the corner. She let her hat go,
and the wind whipped her long hair
back like yellow banner. She spoke
to the colt soothingly, pattcd his neck,
tried to get the bit from his tccth-all
in vain. They We're still mile from
home and going so fast that the mo-
tion was as easy as the rocking of
cradle. If they met no teams and he
kept to the road all might yet be well,
o'' nv ~ t>llt iilloN I'l Ilt SNtl ttl
at the bridge and nearly dragged her
against the railing.
She felt cold pcrspiration on her face.
1t seemed like the end of things. She
thought of Jim-all he had bcen all lie
was to her, what she had said to him
and now -might-ncvcr be able to
say she was sorry, that she loved him
him ~ fh har Sh., I,J
baby prayer, Il little brother long dead,
thought of her mothers face when they
would take her home. As they mearcd
the house she remembered that she had
not wcedcd the panSy bed. Everything
wavcrcd strangely in her mind.
AS they passed the windows she saw
her little sisters baby face
AS the colt tore around the corner to
the gate and into the yard she grew
cold with horror. She had left the barn
door open. He would make for his stall
and crush her, 1t went suddenly dark
before her, and her head swan. Jim
she wanted to call his name, but could
not He would have saved her, she
thought.
ming pail of cold water As Prince
stopped with jerk that threw Marion
from her seat Jim Bradley came quiet
ly up She was hanging by all her
skirts, that had caught on the pommcl.
Only a quick hand and Il steady one
could have disenga.cd her as he did.
He drew her into the shade and held
her close
She opened her eyes and looked up
into his white face. 1t was like heav-
en- to ncr.
"Jim" She said. "Jim"
Are you hurt-are you hurt? Mar
ion, are you all right?' She drew a
long breath, stood up and walked
step to show him she was uninjurcd
Then she went close to him and put
her hands on his shoulders. Her face
was very serious.
'Jm," she said Il have changed my
mind" He saw Il queer little light in
her eyes and was wary.
"About what-PrinceE
"About you. Couldn't you-ask me
if love you? think that | wouldn't
have to lie to say-yes." Jim tried to
get hold of her, but she held off.
Il want to tell you what | think of
myself. Don't you speak. l am IL hor-
rid little-bcaSt. Yes, | did say beast
viii you-take me back" Jim thought
he WOulu