Democratic messenger., 1906-02-03
A THOUSAND
A YEAR
BY Frank n. SsOeef
ropprfeAt. iaaa. bv RuDD douglas

between cover and cover Is 10 leave
only IN impression of bush tail and
pointed nose and then a Wild chorus of
discovering yelps. accompanied by
dozen forms plunging frantically across
the open space and into the chinluapin
bushes beyond.
But fifty feet further on was an ont
cropping hedge broken by crcviccs and
tunnels into Il natural and safe hiding
place for the hunted. From tie time
the fox had been started an hour be-
fore, Its winding and doubling course
had been tending gradually toward
this asylum. as IL with an idea that
after playing with the dogs until weary
of the sport or perhaps feeling the need
of rest it could whisk into safety. For
the last few minutes the fox had tan
tnlizlngly checked It's speed until the
open Jaws Of the pack almost closed
upon the bushy tail. then, with sud
den iaunty tilt. the brush rose into the
air as II In parting salute and with It's
owner dropped into one OF the narrow
creviccs. leaving the pack yelpng It's
disappointment without \ few min
utcs later two horses with their riders
crossed the space and came 70 a stop
among the dogs
IL am glad he escaped even If IL
isn't sportsmnnlikc. laughed one OF
them. II felt sure the dogs would get
him at the open back there. they were
so close II was narrow escape"
I'm not SO sure Of that, Miss Bris-
tow" the other answered The fox
struck me as looking too fresh for such
dangerous propinquity to be natural.
I've an idea his plans We're all laid re-
garding this ledge and that he was
merely amusing himself with the dogs.
Shall call them OFF and start them in
search OF new SCENT Nothing can
draw this fox from his stronghold
now"
NO: wait until papa comes. His
falling behind meant that his horse
went lame. and he probably has gone
back to the stable for another He will
join us before long.
She touched her horse lightly. urging
him TO the top of the ledge. from which
Allan followed closely
ut is one of the most beautiful spots
ever saw" he said as his gaze swept
over the broad. fertile acres of the
farm to the lofty ridges that Inclosed
It ON every side You have the gran
deur OF wild. untouched nature joined
10 the charm Of peaceful rural llfe--a
rare combination"
His eyes loft the valley aud came
back to her with an expression In
them that made her turn away with a
half smile Allan had heen here two
months now and in that time had
learned things that had not hitherto
entered into his plans for livelihood
His hand trembled slightly rs Il check
ed the restiveness of his horse.
"Ye>: il is beautiful here, ana We are
happy" She answered but there was
trouble in her voice Then with sud
den railery You ought to be happy,
too Mr.. Tisdale If, as they say, II is
prosperity that makes happiness, We
had letter from Emmett Yesterday.
and he writes glowingiS Of your mine.
He thinks there is lot OF money in
It, And" looking nj him nquiringly.
"he writes as though he might pur-
chase an interest IN the mine
Allans face became grave
II hope not" he answered Il Ike
your brother Emmett too we'll 70 wish
him such bad luck. lie broached the
subject TO me once, and put him OF.
| thought perhaps his management "
the mine for nwhile would dlsenchnnt
him. Emmet's great fault Is being too
sanguine, though. with grimace. Il
was somewhat that way myself. sup
pose"
1.-THE mine didn't pay
"It has cost me a thousand year
above my income so far. and
lie stopped suddenly, for she was
laughing, irresstlbly II seemed.
Il beg your pardon" she gasped.
checking herself with IN effort L
something struck me as very funny.
But please go ON. will not laugh any
more. A thousand year you saidT'
Eyes" looking at her curlously'
"above the income receive from Eng
land. wouldn't like Emmet TO incur
the same loss. AS soon as ! get back
I shall try to sell The machinery will
be worth small sum And his face
kindling and his eyes again sweeping
over the valley and back q her face
II have found IT, | always liked agrl.
culture, but never realized II could
show up to such advantage as i does
here My idea was that farmers had
to keep hold Of plow handles and
things, but your father doesn't do any.
thing except go fox hunting aud read
magazines and listen to his foreman's
report, and only this morning he told
me that he had no other resources than
the farm. IL have been thinking Of
il all the morning | will buy valley
Just like this somewhere in the neigh
borhood and be Il farmer, and with
what | have wei can soon build
nice house" He paused. looking EN-
barrassed. then went on hurriedly. IF
- t,.f,t,y - fpr