The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1907-02-01
cloud of laughter, from which l e.
.anod an a as possible.

.,oud of laughter, from which l e.
caned as soon as possible.
I understood my mosaic now, and I
began weighing my desire for her
against my pleasure in st. Able. The
! alter It was evident she could never
share with me. / avoided her for sew
eral days, while my anger cooled and
nv love increased. Then one morning
as | drove out OH the pleasant country
mad I overlook her. She was walking
rery slowly, aided by a cane.
Az she turned her startled eyes On
nv glossy horse a blind rage suddenly
possessed her. In less time than il
takes to tell 1t l vas out Of the buggy,
had Elsie in my arms, into the buggy
and we were of!
Her face went white, and the fear IN
her blue eyes was mixed with unmit-
rated scorn and anger.
"You are a brute!! she said trem-
blingly.
Il know it," l agreed.
.1 can't reason about 1t! I can't
help 1t! oh. please put me outr'
The piteous voice appealed to what
little manhood l had left. I stopped
the horse and jumped out. As I held
up my arms a paper careened across
the road. st. Abe, noted for his quiet
nerves. snorted and ran. Elsie screamed
and shouted "Whoar' But he ran the
faster, while I scurried after In the
cloud of dust, my heart fairly bursting
with fear and remorse.-
It seemed to me that I ran for hours.
The road had many turns, 90 they were
Immediately lost to sight. At every
corner I expected to come upon the
tragedy. AT last l fell b%reathless by
the roadside, and while I waited. sick
at heart, l heard the toot of the tally
no horn.
"Thank Godw 1 cried, for I knew it
was the other guests who had early in
the morning gone, for a tallyho ride.
'aThank Godr" l cried, and, staggering
up, I ran dizzily on.
AS the road swerved sharply to the
west a most surprising sight net my
eyes st. Able was trotting swiftly to-
ward me-swiftly, but under perfect
control-and Elsie was his driver. Be-
hind them came the tallyho crowd
shouting itself hoarse.
Elsie drew proudly up beside me.
The tallyho folks spilled out, all talk
ing at once. %
axNA 1850, Hvor0 nnoo$ ,,wnpO --. ..
"How did you dare" -
"Shan't l help you out?"
"Why, you don't look a bit scared"
"Why, I am not~scared, and l am so
happy l think l shall die" Elsie *
claimed when she could get a hearing.
tits wonderful! The minute felt
the reins in my hands that horrible
fear left me. ! slowed him down,
turned him around, and now I an
going to drive him home. Oh. I'm so
happy"
Every one-at least every man in the
house, barring Jerome-entertained me
that evening. They seemed to take
turns at it. At last I wrenched myself
away and went into the garden where
I had last seen her. She was not there
nor could I find her in the moonlit Of
chard. At last l gave her up and
started for the stables. st. Abe was
in the paddock, and I caught the nut
ter Of white beside him.
Crying and laughing and murmur-
ing, there was my darling with her
arms around st. Albe's unappreciative
neck. & ,
"Just think Of It, st. Abe" she was
saying. 1--WE had my first proposal to-
night and five besides. It's owing to
you. you beauty.
"And this is the seventh" I observed,
taking the white arms. and putting my
own neck where st. Albe's had been.
"1f you accepted any of the six, YOU
may as we'll tell him you have chang
ed your mind, for l will have you. I
will, Elsie beloved. : ~ 7%
"Why, Dennis, Of course you will!'
she answered, putting up her red lips
to be kissed.