The Nevada County picayune., 1907-10-03
HARD|NC'S SURPRISE
 By Robert Carlton Brown


 ,heir best to brighten the situation.
 @rarrjage. sir?" came harsh voice ,,oso beside him, somewhere in the darkness.
 With difficulty Harding hunted out .,o little carriage and handed his suit case to the driver
 nGuess you're the only one what oot off tonight; where you goin'?" The gruff voice interrogated.
 "Judge Ewen's," answered Harding s;mnlv. for every one in the little town knew the judge.
 % to tn judges, eh. You ain't ttsn fo,ler what's goin' ter marry his laughter, air you?" grinned the socia- ble driver.
 "Why, maybe I will" admitted the voung fellow, impatiently. But the ouicker 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.
 The darkness hid Harding's con scious blush, for surely he had come for no other reason, and the imperti nent driver had divined it in a mo- ment.
 q wonder" unused the young fel low. whether she'll be waiting for me or not She probably thought when I didn't get here on the eight o'clock that I wouldn't be down till morning. But still, last time I misse1 it she was waiting for me on the yer anda. o, hope she'll be there to- night But no, she won't. for I tolc her not to expect me till tomorrow If I wasn't there at eight No, she's probably in bed long ago, and I'll have to tumble with that old latchkey for an hour or wake up the servant in order to get in. I 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 reyolved 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 of the way.
 "Gon' to surprise her, air ye?' chucked the driver, remembering how be, too, had once gone courting 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 burglar he crept 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 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 indulged in a series of bounds as he realized that she had 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 moment and then quietly set down his suitcase and steaithily drew nearer and nearer un- ul 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 over, inclosed her Ih 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 I, it is I, it is I; it was surprise. don't you know me?'
 All the answer he received was a new, more strident series of Help! Help' Thieves. Thieves!" as she struggled yainly with the door.
 A window above opened quickly and voice called, Sarah, Sarah, what on eafIh 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. ana the other, she had called her Sarah.