Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1906-03-07
SIZE CHANGED
HER MIND
By JEANNE 0. LO.ZEAUx
Copyright, 1905. b. RuDg Douglas

Marion rode at an angry gallop. The
dust was thick and the heat intense
even for July-no weather for riding.
The girl wore neat blue gown. and
vide 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
el 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
Now, don't say anything. l shall
ride whatever horse l please. See how
cIiet he is, anyway. Well. suppose
am killed? Then you will be free to
marry Agnes. since you seem to like
,er 50 well. You can ride with her
every day. You are free now, for that
matter!"
She knew it was an unjust remark,
but jealousy had the upper hand
Jim Bradley was every inch a man,
tall and good looking. His dark eyes
flashed, and his jaw set. He had seen
Marion in 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 mile with a neighbour
Where's the harm? You know whom
love. dear"
"She's always after you. She's in
love with you. She
mo, she is no., 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 a
sunstroke, get it on safe horse" His
her as much as it ordinarily pleased
her.
II don't love you. l hate you! Come
on, Prince" She gave the reins little
slap, and the colt danced and snortet
wildly. Jim caught him by the bride
He spoke with repressed anger.
"Well, love me or not. you shall ge
down. You shan't break your necl
just to break my heart. You know
plenty of other ways of doing that
Prince has not been saddled half
dozen times. and l know your fathe
does not allow you to ride him. thong
you are an old hand at horses. An
you know perfectly well that Agnes
! nothing but a friend. She cares notf
ing for me. She's nice girl
That's it-stand up for her, Jir
Bradley. She told Sue Field that sh
would take you from me, and she
e done it, Not that l care-much. Ii
Prince go, l sayr'
Il will not. l shall take you dow
: and have your father forbid you
: mount him. Sue is only trying to max
trouble. Agnes never said or though
thing like that"
: Marion sat quietly moment, as if
!. obey his command to dismount. HI
eyes were wide, her cheeks CLOWN
lie dropped the bride and came
d reach his arms up for her. Then su
II denly the demon of pride seized h
= again. She gave Prince a cut that Sc
IA him out of Jim's reach with one boun
4. "Goodby." she called. you are FIRE
| wouldn't marry you if you'll wou
have to be dead and come to life aga
before would say | love your
u The horse was off at an unruly g
9e lop. Jim was angry. but his hea
k stood still as he watched the little bl
figure riding away so lightly. Untru
u worthy as he knew the colt to be, s
seemed to have him under fine contr
ms she could tame anything but her on
temper; it was a way she had. p
~ haps her own unruly spirit made
conquest of others easy. OF all
tie sutors-and she was much sough
only Jim had ever held his own a
refused to bow utterly under the yc
of her will That was why she Low
him and quarreled with him-and b
always come back to him. He was
stronger. and, while at times she
scented his power over her, she a
l.
had ever done defied him, broken
promise to marry him, risked her
to wiring his heart.
He watched horse and girl fly fl
him over the level road. Then
iii shouldered his hayfork, walked sw
w " to her fathers place, entered the
serted barnyard-the men were all
the felds-closed the open barn d
and waited with set jaw.
ny Meantime Marion and the colt W
FIT having a grand ride past grain la
and groves and farmhouses. flying +
meadow and bayfield,. The brisk
ne ton. the wind in her face, cooled
w girls anger little and made
ashamed. She thought with p
= that she had gone too far this tin
" that she could never make 1t up '
Jim now she had been a fool:
ry-l,o,, eho rarnarn hQrpd coming n