The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-02-16

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 chatted a mo-
ment
You better get off till the engine
comes, Marion. You might meet Il
You've no business on that crazy colt.
1t isn't safe. don't see how Jim al
lows it, Marion's face famed.
what has he to say? l am not en-
gagged to him any more. r.
Sue gasped, then. with remorse-too
late. as usual-remembered what she
had told her friend on the way from
town that day.
Marion, you weren't ever fool enough
not to know l was joking? What Ag-
mes really said was that jim was 50
silly about you he didn't hear what
she said half the time. Oh. May, I'm
so sorry"
But Marion did not wait. She rode
away.
Prince settled into an ugly, obstinate
gallop. swerying and jolting.
They We're nearing the crossing when
an unearthly 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 trembled, but she
remembered that it is fatal to lose
nerve with an unrulV horse
Prince snorted, laid back his ears,
but went OH well enough. They were
almost at the corner when the tiendish
shrek came again.
The colt took the bit in his teeth and
bolted II utter terror Marion knew
her danger and kept her head as they
turned tie corner. she let her hat go,
and the wind whipped her long hair
back like yellow banner. She spoke
to the colt soothingly, patted his neck,
tried to get the bit from his teeth-all
in vain. They were still a mile from
home and going SO fast that the mo-
ton was as easy as the rocking of a
cradle. If they met no teams and he
kept to the road ali 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 on her face.
1t seemed like 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-never be able to
say she was sorry, that she loved him
get him to forgive her. She recalled a
baby prayer. 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.
AS they passed the windows she saw
her little sisters baby face.
As the colt tore around the corner to
the gate aud 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.
Against the closed door stood brm-
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 steady one
could have disengaged 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 her.
Jim" she said. "Jimw
care you hurt-are you hurt? Mar
ion, are you all right?" She drew
long breath. stood up and walked a
step to show him she was uninjured
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 and was wary.
about what-Prince"
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 l think of
myself Don't you speak. l am a hor-
rid little-beast. Yes, did say beast.
Will you-tuke me back?" Jim thought
he would.