Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1907-10-25
HARDING'S SURPRISE
BY Robert carlton Brown

IL oO LlAdl nA6nAr HC b0hEg AGb0AaL@
little station looked lonesome, al
though Its two tiny electric lights did
their best to brighten the situation.
Carriage, sir?" came harsh voice
close beside him, somewhere in the
darkness.
With difficulty Harding hunted out
he little carriage and handed his SUIT
Ease to the driver
Guess you're the only one what
got off tonight; where you goin'?"
he gruff voice Intercepted
Judge Ewen's." answered Harding
simply. for every one in the little town
1new the judge.
20, to til judges, eh. You amt the
'eller what's goin' ter marry his
laughter, air your" grinned the socia-
BILE driver.
Why, maybe ] will" admitted the
young fellow, impatiently But the
quicker you get me there the happier
I'll be"
Just like all them young fellers
that's goin' sparkin'," snickered the
driver. jumping to his seat and start
ing his sorry nag at dogtrot.
IIG udEhifG5S HIu CON
seious blush, for surely he had come
for no other reason, and the imperti.
nent driver had OWNED 1t in a mo.
ment.
Il wonder" unused the young fell
low, whether she'll be waiting for
me or not. She probably thought
when | didn't get here on the eight
O'Clock that i wouldn't be down till
morning. But still, last time / missed
1t she was waiting for me on the YER
anda. o, hope she'll be there to.
night. But no, she won't, for | told
her not to expect me till tomorrow
If | wasn't there at eight. No, she's
probably in bed long ago, and I'll have
to tumble with that old latchkey fol-
an hour or wake up the servant in
order to get in. / wish I'd been more
patient and waited till morning, be-
cause she wouldn't sit up when | told
her not still-she might"
During the remainder of the ride
young Harding revolved the possibili.
ties OF his fiancee being on the porch
waiting for him, as she did that time
before. In the hope that she would
be there, he stopped the driver block
from the house, jumped out, paid his
fare, and walked the remainder oil
the way.
Coin to surprise her, air yer
chuckled the driver, remembering how
he, too. had once gone counting with
all the enthusiasm and strategy Of
youth.
Harding did not deign to reply, but
hurried on toward the house, walking
on the grass, that she might not hear
him coming il she were there.
Cautiously as a burglar he crepi
around to the veranda The night was
| black, he could see nothing at first;
then slowly the outline of hammock
became distinct to him. He crept
closer; his heart gave a bound of joy
for there, there she was he coult
make out dimly the lines of her form
her white dress showed plainly.
Harding's heart INDUCED in a series
of bounds as he realized that she haG
sat up, as before, for him. He smiled
joyfully as he thought of surprising
her suddenly
=
had not heard him. He was sure o.
that, for she had not moved, or pos
sibly she knew he was there and was
pretending to be ignorant of 1t, tha
his surprise might be the more com
plete.
He thought for moment and the1
| quietly set down his suitcase anl
stealthily drew nearer and nearer I'm
| til he almost touched her. He coult
plainly hear her breathing and it wal
| evident to him that she was feignins
sleep, for she was making an effort t
breathe deeply and regularly, although
her breathing was uneven, Irregular
and showed excitement.
He drew nearer and put his arm
around her; she did not move, but h
heard sharp gasp.
Quickly he leaned over, inclosed he
in his arms. and kissed her. Sh
struggled, and in moment was fret
With a loud cry she rushed for tn
front door shouting, Help Help
Burglars! Thieves Help!'
Harding stood amazed; he could ne
account for it-she must know him
what could be the matter?
He rushed toward her, cryin
Helen. 1t Is /. 1t is |, 1t Is /; it was
| surprise. don't you know me?"
All the answer he received was
new. more strldent series of Hell
Help Thieves, Thieyes!" as 81
struggled vainly with the door.
A window above opened quickly ar
voice called. Sarah, Sarah, what {
earth is the matter; what are W
shouting about?"
A sudden thought flashed ov
Harding as he heard the voice in Il
window above; that was her voice
and the other, she had called h
Sarah.
Sarah. Sarah; who can she be
his mind repeated, and then sudden
| Al. ~