The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-02-04
THE END Of A GAY
SEASON
[originaI.l

That is. they all wanted her-at least, |
all but Cyrus Weatherby, who didn't |
seem to want any girl. He was a shy |
solemn, Flooding sort Of fellow, sell
dom taking any part In the amusement
Of the young people who were the
gayest Of gay farmers sons and daugh-
ters,
II there was one among the SWANS
who was considered to have any better
chance with Madge than the others tt
was Tom Hatch. but this was rather
On account Of his superior audacity
than any special encouragement Madge
had-at least, publlcly-shown him. As
Madge could have had any Of the
young men, 80 Tom could have had
any Of the young women. There was
only one Of them that he wanted, and
that was Nadge.
The winter was a gay one, and the
young people Of the neighborhood.
copying from their city cousins, re-
solved to end their festivities with the
beginning Of Lent. When a number OF
them were together one evening some
one of the party suggested that they
should wind up the season by q grand
froIlc.
suppose" said Cyrus Weatherby In
his usual serious tone and manner,
I'VE have a mock elopement"
There was q burst Of laughter at the
sedate Cyrus making such PROPOSE
ton, which caused him to blush red as
q rose, followed by a universal assent.
Tom Hatch, as he usually did, took
the lead, resolved that II he had not
made the suggestion he would be at
least the moving spirit In carrying it
out. He suggested Madge as the fem
mime principal in the runaway and
| that she was to choose the masculine
| principal Madge accepted the role
and said that since Cyrus had made
the proposition he should be the man
in the case. There were laughter and
elapping Of hands at this, and. since 1t
was evident that no refusal would be
accepted, Cyrus blushlngly consented.
The plan when completed was this:
Cyrus was to call on a certain night at
Madge's house with the saddle horses.
Madge was to descend by a trellis.
and the two were to mount and dart
away. One Of the pursuing party was
20 be stationed at the bridge, half a
mile up the road. and when the clippers
crossed II he was to give a signal, and
the whole party was to ride after
them. The clippers were to make for
the washington tavern, ten miles
away, II they got there before being
caught. they were to be considered as
having escaped and been married. II
not. they were considered to have been
captured. All were to partake OF a
sepper at the tavern--a mock wedding
supper.
At the appointed hour Cyrus made
his appearance under Madge's window.
She descended the trellls, mounted,
and the two sped away like the wind
When they dashed over the bridge
a mounted man beside II fired q shot
which rang out clearly on the still air
and n merry party Of boys and girls
gave chase.
Cyrus and Madge had not gone faI
before II became evident that Cyrus, II
stupid In other respects, had had the
sense to secure q couple of thorough
bred horses. A full moon shining on
snow fields made the road light as day
: The clippers rather held In their steedS
% first: but. having traversed half the
distance and hearing a clatter closing
up behind them, they loosened thelI
reins. to reach the goal fully ten min
utes before any Of their pursuers.
Tom Hatch had the next best horse
70 the fieeing couple and rode up to the
tavern befope any other OF the pursu
! Ing party. A couple of steamlng horses
over each OF which q blanket had beer
thrown. stood at the tavern door, Dis
mounting. he entered the living room
and saw the clipping couple standing
: at one end. man In a white necktiC
I opposite, Tom was just In time to heal
the words:
= Il pronounce you man and wife"
; II did not take Tom long TO get thu
situation into his head There was
sinking at his heart, but he put on thu
best face he could and. going ont Jus
! - the rest Of the party were riding NJ
= % the tavern. shouted:
"We've been soldl They're marriedF
A the party came up In couples tn
Z fact was made known. and when IN
hindInOst couple arrived all entered IN,
/. tavern. shouting, laughing and dancing
: up to the young man and wife. VIII,
Z |. stood ready to receive congratulations
and now. landlord" said one Of tn
!. men. bring on the supper"
A pair OF folding doors were throw
|. haek, and there stood the father am
mother Of the bride. one at each en-,
" a well loaded table
I'm sorry" said the father. "at tn
u informally Of this wedding. but on
q Madge always was a madcap, and W
Il were Obliged TO consent to this arrangs
II meat, She and Cyrus weatherhy hav