The Washington herald., 1907-05-27

Jock" said Hugh Macdonald. ARE
they men or monkeys?"
Jock, being a collie Of intelligence. cock
his master to the edge Of the bluff. where
they stood looking over.
Down the road below them, driven pell-
nell by a youth in hunting pink, came
team OF razor backed hogs. Around
their necks were wreaths OF huge yellow
chrysanthemums. and the long yellow rib
bons with which their driver tried inef-
fectually 10 guide them were Of shining
yellow satin.
Behind them a quartet Of stampeding
sheep, violet-wreathed, and harnessed
with violet satin. dragged after them a
laughing, romping youth also in hunting
pink
The two contestants in the strange race
were followed by a shouting. excited
crowd A little woman in scarlet, joining
hands with two stout gentlemen, brought
up the rear. and they all disappeared
around the curve together.
We'll, Jock" said Hugh Macdonald,
'ft's poor way TO treat the pigs. and
you could take better care of the sheep
than that"
The collie wsgged a responsive tail,
but his eyes were still fastened on the
road
Hugh. following their direction. said:
Oh quickly, as a girl limped into
sight.
She looked up and waved her hand at
the minister
I'm eomingl'' he shouted, and Jock
led the way down the winding path.
When they reached the road they
found the girl sitting on big stone.
I have hurt my ankle" she said. Il
made them go on without me-"
Were you following that?" The min
lister jerked his head in the direction of
the motley procession.
Yes" Her cheeks famed. 'Gt must
seem awfully silly to you
ITS cruel" the minister condemned.
Jock could take better care of the
sheep"
4 don't believe they thought of that"
DO they ever Think" he questioned
her.
I'm not sure" she confded. but
they're awfully good fun"
Il think it was just as good fun when
you and I used to pick wild flowers and
row in my little boat on the lake Those
were nice, simple times, Ellie. before
these society people came up here to make
fools of the country folk, and your
father made his money selling land to
them"
oh. you don't know Them" she ex-
cused. They are good-hearted. One Of
them gave d lot Of money to the poor
and we're going to have tableaux for the
old people Of the parish"
My old people are well taken care Of"
he said sternly.
Her face fell
But we want to have the tableaux, I
am going 10 be Juliet"
To whose ROmeo?'
Freddie Fairfax's.'
THE pig driver?'
How unpleasanuy you put IT," she
said. Hes awfully nice"
There was silence for moment. and
then he said: DO you love him, Ellie?"
Everybody calls me Eleanor. now,"
she remarked, irrelevantly.
DO you love him?' he insisted.
"Oh, no, don't love any one
His dark face was very tender as he
said. And yet, I once had the great
happiness Of believing that you loved me
and that We were TO be married and
that you were to live in the parsonage
with me. and we were 10 minister 10
my people. and grow old together In
beautiful union
She gave a little cry. MY ankle hurts"
was her explanation. but her eyes were
full of tears
He knelt beside her.
Let me take off your shoe" he said
II can bandage it with my handker-
chief"
In silence he united the pretty low boot
and drew # off gently. In silence. too,
he wrapped his handkerchief about her
slim ankle
There, he said, and looked up at her
as he knelt. Does 1t hurt now, dear
heart?'
Don't" she said. and her lips trem-
bled. don't call me that"
4 shall always call you that in my
heart" he said
Then he squared his shoulders and stood
up.
I'll help you get home
His arm went around her and she clung
to him. I'm afraid l can't waIk-it hurts
awfully
'Tll carry you" he offered. but she pro-
tested. "Oh, no, they are coming back"
The pigs were rampant now. and squeal-
ing on the homesretch. The sheep were
so frightened that their eyes were wild.
and they stumbled over the rough road.
''Oh, poor things, poor things" Eleanor
said as she saw them.
The minister caught at the violet rib.
bons with one hand. and brought the
woolly steeds up with a jerk.
"Unharness them" he said TO the man
in pink.
You've spoiled the race" shrieked the
little woman In scarlet
"8liss Lester was to reward the win
ner," explained one OF the stout gentle
men.
But the minister was pulling off the
violet wreaths.
Take them home. Jock" he said TO
the collie and TO the nrotestlne crov,d