The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-12-03
HARDING'S SURPRISE
BY Robert Carlton Brown

little station looked lonesome, al
though its two tiny electric lights did
their best to brighten the situation.
Carriage, sir?" came a harsh voice
close beside him, somewhere in the
darkness.
With difficulty Harding hunted out
he little carriage and handed his sult-
case t 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
thew the judge.
20, to tn judges, Ell. You amt the
,eller what's goin' ter marry his
laughter, air you?" grinned the socla-
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 a dogtrot.
The darkness hid Harding's con.
scious blush, for surely he had come
for no other reason, and the imperti.
nent driver had OWNED it in a mo-
ment.
Il wonder" unused the young fell.
low, whether she'll be waiting for
me or not. She probably thought
when l didn't get here on the eight
O'Clock that l wouldn't be down till
morning. But still, last time l missed
it she was waiting for me on the YER
anda. o, | hope she'll be there to.
night. But no, she won't. for l 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 l told
her not to-but-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 a, block
from the house, jumped out, paid his
fare, and walked the remainder of
the way.
Coin to surprise her, air YEP
chuckled the driver, remembering how
he, too, had one zone 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 if she were there.
Cautiously as a burglar he crept
around to the veranda. The night was
black; he could see nothing at first;
then slowly the outline of a hammock
became distinct to him. He crept
closer; his heart gave a bound of joy,
for there, there she was; he could
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 had
sat up, as before, for him. He smiled
joyfully as he thought of surprising
her suddenly,
She lay there quietly, and as yet
had not heard him. He was sure of
that, for she had not moved, or pos
sibly she knew he was there and was
pretending to be ignorant of it, that
his surprise might be the more com
plete.
He thought for a moment and then
quietly set down his suitcase and
stealthily drew nearer and nearer un-
til he almost touched her. He could
plainly hear her breathing and it was
evident to him that she was feigning
sleep, for she was making an effort to
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 he
heard a sharp gasp.
Quickly he leaned owe inclosed her
in his arms, and kissed her. She
struggled, and in a moment was free.
With a loud cry, she rushed for the
front door shouting, Help! Help!
Burglars! Thieves! Help!"
Harding stood amazed; he could not
account for it-she must know him
what could be the matter?
He rushed toward her, crying,
Helen, It is l, it is l. it is /; it was a
surprise. don't you know me?"
Ali the answer he received was a
new, more strident series of Help!
Help! Thieves! Thievesi' as she
struggled vainly with the door.
A window above opened quickly n
a voice called, Sarah, Sarah, what on
earth is the matter; what are you
shouting about?'
A sudden thought flashed over
Harding as he heard the voice in the
window above; that was her voice
and the other, she had called her
Sarah.
Sarah, Sarah: who can she be?"
his mind repeated, and then suddenly
the answer came; why, she's the
cook"
With a d~exterous swoop he secured