The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-01-07


comes. Marion. You might meet IT,
You've no business ON tliat-crazy colt.
II. isn't safe, 4. don't sec wA,limsal4
Iowsjt!" Mari0ns'face flamed.
What has be To, say am not en-
gagged 10 him any more. \ I'-- N gsNr
Sue gasped, then with remorse-- 100
late, as usual-~remembered what she
had told her friend on the way from
town that day. ~
Marion, youtweren' tever fool enough
not 70 know was Joking? What Az
mes really said was that Jims was 50
silly about you he didn't hear what
she said half the time. Oh, May, Ina
so sorry!'
Rut Marion did not wait she rode
away
Prince settled into an ugly, obstinate
gallop. swervipg and joiang.
They were nearing the crossing when
an unearthly shrek made Marion look
up 10 see the thrasher engine approach
ing. She urged Prince on, trying 10
reaeh The corner where the road turned
toward home before, tho machine came
closer Her hands trembled. but she
remembered that il Is fatal to lose
nerve with an unruly horse
Prince snortad. laid back bis ears.
but went on we'll enough. They were
almost nj tie corner when the iiendfsh
shrek came again. -
The colt took ihe bit in his teeth and
boiled III utter terrier. Marion knew
her dangcr ana kept her head as they
turned Tie corner. she let her hat so,
and ille wind whipped her long hair
back IKE Il yellow banner. She spoke
10 Tho colt se3thingiy, pattett his meek.
tried 70 get the bit frotn his teeih--all
in rain They were still "A mile from
home and gang so fast that the mo-
ton WAS a. easy as the rocking of a
cradle. II they mel no teams and he
kept to the road all might yet be well,
but he might throw her He swerved
at the bridge and nearly dragged her
against the railing.
She felt cold perspiration oil her faoe
It seemed ike the end of things She.
thought OF Jim-all he had been, all he
was to her. what she had said to him
and now she -might~neYe@ be able To
say she was sorry, that she loved him
gel him to forgive her. She recalled n
baby prayer. q little brother long dead.
thought of her mothers face when they
would take her home. As they neared
the house she remembered that she had
not weeded the pansy bed. Everything
wavered strangely in her mind,
AZ 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. lie 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.
Against the closed door stood brim
ming pail of cold water. As Prince
stopped with a 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 pommeL
only a quick hand and 4 steady one
could have disengased her rs he did
He drew her into the shade and held
her close.
She opened her eyes aud looked NJ
into his white face. II was Ike heav-
en- 10 ner
Jim" she said. "Jmi"
Are you hurt-are you hurt? Mar
ion. are you all right She drew a
long breath. stood up and walked a
step to show him she. was uniniWed.
Then she went close to him and put
her hands on his shoulders Her face
was very serious.
Jim" she said. 81 have changed my
mind" He saw queer little light IN
her eyes aud was wary
about what-Princet'
About you Couldn't you-ask me
IL love your | think that | wouldn't
have to lie TO say-yes.' Jim tried to
get hold Of her, but she held off
II want to tell You what | think OF
myself Don't you speak. am hor-
rid little-beast. Yes. did say beast
VIII you-take me backf' Jim thought
he would.
Thncscray's DisnEured Nose.
That George Venables. Thsckeray's