Amador ledger., 1906-04-13
A THOUSAND
A YEAR
BY Frank H. .SeOeef
Copyright, 1905. by Ruby Douglas


discovering yelps, accompanied by a
dozen forms plunging franticalIy across
the open space and into the chinquapin
bushes beyond.
But fifty feet farther on was an out
cropping hedge broken by crevices and
tunnels into a natural and 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, as if 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
talizingly checked its speed until the
open jaws of the pack almost closed
upon the bushy tail; then, with a sud
len jaunty tilt, the brush rose into the
air as if in parting salute and with its
owner dropped into one Of the narrow
crevices, leaving the pack yelping its
disappointment without. A few min
utes later two horses with their riders
crossed the space and came to a stop
among the dogs.
Il am glad he escaped, even if it
isn't sportsmanlike," laughed one Of
them. Il felt sure the dogs would get
him at the open back there, they were
so close. 1t was narrow escape"
''Im 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 were 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 a 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
they could look down into the valley.
Allan followed closely.
''It is one Of the most beautiful spots
I 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 to her, with an expression in
them that made her turn away with a
half smile. Allan had been here two
months now and in that time had
learned things that had not hitherto
entered into his plans for a livelihood.
His hand trembled slightly as it check
ed the restiveness of his horse.
Eyes; it is beautiful here, and we are
happy" she answered, but there was
trouble in her voice. Then with sud-
den raillery: "You ought to be happy,
too, Mr. Tisdale, if, as they say, it is
prosperity that makes happiness. We
had a letter from Emmett yesterday,
and he writes glowingly of your mine.
it. And" looking at him inquiringly,
'he writes as though he might pur-
chase an interest in the mine"
Allan's face became grave.
81 hope not" he answered. 81 like
your brother Emmett too well to wish
him such bad luck. He broached the
subject to me once, and put him off.
l thought perhaps his management Of
the mine for awhile would disenchant
him. Emmet's great fault is being too
sanguine, though" with a grimace. Il
was somewhat that way myself, sup
pose"
"The mine didn't pay?"
"It has cost me a thousand year
above my income so far, and'-
He stopped suddenly, for she was
laughing, irresistibly, it seemed.
81 beg your pardon" she gasped,
checking herself with an effort. q
something struck me as very funny.
But please go on. will not laugh any
more. A thousand year, you said?"
"Yes," looking at her curiously,
"above the income 1 receive from Eng
land. 1 wouldn't like Emmet to incur
1 shall try to sell. The machinery will
be worth a small sum. And" his face
kindling and his eyes again sweeping
over the valley and back to her face,
81 have found it. 1 always liked agri-
culture, but never realized it could
show up to such advantage as it 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 and 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. II have been thinking of
it all the morning. I will buy valley
just like this somewhere in the neigh
borhoOd and be Il farmer, and with
what l have wei can soon build a
nice house." He paused, looking en-
barrassed, then went on hurriedly, '1f
1 can make living of enough for
two, 1 mean-will you-will you help
me, Lois?"
She had thrown up her hand, as
though to stop him.
"Wait a minute, Mr.. Tisdale," she
cried impetuously. 81 had not intended
to tell you, but 1 must now. You must
not try farming-for a livelihood, I
mean. Our farm looks prosperous, and
I love the valley here better than any
place in the world, but-but we have
ever since we bought the place. That