Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-02-01
A THOUSAND
A YEAR
BY Frank II. SsOcef

only an impression Of bush tail and
pointed nose and then wild chorus of
discovering yelps, accompanied by
dozen forms plunging frantically across
the open space and into the chinquapir
bushes beyond.
But fifty feet farther on was an out
cropping hedge brokcn 10y crcviccs and
tunnels into n natural ana safe hiding
place for the hunted From the time
the fox had been started, an hour be-
fore. its winding and doubling course
had been tending gradually toward
this asylum, rs If with an idea that
after playing with the dogs until weary
of the sport or perhaps feeling TIE need
of rest ii could whisk into safety For
the last few minutes the fox had tan
talzlngly checked its speed until the
open jaws Of the pack almost closed
upon the buShy tail; them with sud
den iaunty tilt. the brush rose into the
air us II IN parting salute and with its
owner dropped into one of the narrow
crcviccs, leaving the pack yelpin" its
disappointment without. \ few min
utcs later two horses with their riders
crossed The space and came 10 Il stop
among the dogs.
Il am glad he escaped. even ii it
isn't sportsmanlike," laughed one of
them. II felt sure the dogs would get
him at the open back there, they were
so close 1t was a narrow escape
I'm not 50 sure of that, Miss Br1s-
tow" the other answered. The ioX
struck me as looking too fresh for such
! dangerous propInQUity To be natural.
I've an idea his plans were all laid re-
gardnG this ledge and that he was
merely amusing himself with The dogs.
| Shall call them off and start them IN
search of Il 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, ana 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
they could look down into the valley.
| Allan followed closely.
1T 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
to the charm of peaceful rural life-a
rare combination
! His eyes left the valley and came
back 10 her, with an expression in
them that made Der turn away with a
half smile. Allan had been here two
months now and III that time had
learned things that had not hitherto
entered into his plans for livelihood
His hand trembled slightly as it check
ed the restivenesS. of his horse.
! Yes; it is beautiful here. ana we are
happy" she answered, but there was
trouble in her voice Then with sud
/ den rallery: You ought to be happy,
I too, Mr.. Tisdale, IT, as they say, it is
prosperity that makes happiness we
had a letter from Emmett yesterday.
and he writes glowngly OF your mine.
He thinks there is 4 lot of money in
| it. And" looking at. him inquringly,
he writes rs though he might pur-
chase an interest in the mine"
| Allau's face became grave,
II hope not" he answered. Il like
your brother Emmett too wen TO wish
! him such bad luck He preached the
subject TO me once, ana | put him off.
! | thought perhaps his management of
the mine for awhile would disenchant
him. Emmet's great fault is being too
Isanguine, though with a grimace. Il
was somewhat that way myself. sup
! pose
! The mine didn't payY
1T has cost me a thousand Il year
above nay income SO far, and
He stopped suddenly, for she was
| laughing, irresistbly, it seemed
Il beg your pardon" she gasped,
checking herself with IN effort 81
something struck me as very funny.
But please 20 ON. l viii not laugh any
more. thousand year. you said?"
Yes looking at her curiously,
"above the income / receive from Eng
laud. | wouldn't like Emmett to incur
| the same loss. As soon as | get back
| shall try 10 sell. r. . machinery will
be worth a small sum And" his face
kindlinS and his eyes again sweeping
over the valley and back 10 her face.
i have found IT, | always liked agri-
culture. but never realized. it could
show M TO such advantage as it does