The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-07-10


reaching out are such, we all know,
as the world had never known before.
But there was good deal Of the
nature of the government mule in
Patten. The instant he could see that
some one was attempting to lead him,
he would refuse to advance a step;
and he did see, despite Bertha's
wholly original methods of procedure.
So he stood still, and the poor girl
tugged and pulled, but Patten refused
to move ever so little. She really
became quite desperate and struck
him in the face, metaphorically, with
some remarks that were meant to be
scornful and sarcastic. OF course, II
she had known anything about mules,
she would have been aware that such
treatment only makes them jump
back; but she was of the infantry,
and can be excused for not knowing
anything about livestock. Experience
taught her, though, and she came to
learn to let the mule think he was
free and going alone. The expert
ment worked like charm. Patten
began to fear that he was losing the
alteration and advanced a few steps.
Bertha received his overtures with
delight, and Patten was wise enough
to keep her little delighted all the
time. He did not think, now that ne
was really in love; on the contrary,
he was sure that his first love was
yet to come; but Bertha was a pas
time, at any rate.
Things progressed nicely now. Pat
ten and Miss Ruggles took frequent
horseback rides, and often did mot
get home until after dark. The first
time this happened, Bertha approach
ed her mammals presence with fear
and trembling; she did not know what
her mother would say, but she was
sure of good berating from q none
too gentle tongue. Fancy, then, her
surprise and delight at being met
with sweet Ego and eat your din
ner, dear; I've had 1t kept warm"
At the monthly hop Patten danced
most of the time with Bertha, and
forgot to complain of the scratches
she made ON his beautiful pumps.
Every one was sure they were en-
gagged; only Miss Ruggles and her
mother were bit uneasy.
If it happened, as it sometimes did,
that day passed without Bertha's
spending several hours in the lieu
tenants company, home was made
generally uncomfortable for her, for
at such times Mrs. Ruggles's temper
returned to It's natural state, from
which it only emerged when Patterns
form rose against the horizon.
There came time when the lady's
temper did not sweeten for whole
weeks-it was when the troops were
ordered away.
Patterns troop was among them, and
Captain Ruggles's company was not.
This was bad; it meant that Bertha
would be 1.-THE girl he left behind
him" If she did not manage to "land
her Ash" before the appointed time,
which was only fortnight hence.
Time wore on; only a week was left.
and things were at a standstill.
Bertha was nervous and her mother
was cross. The week became a day,
and still things were the same. There
remained one more chance, however;
it was forlorn hope.
The troops were to camp the fhrst
night only ten miles away from the
post, and most of the ladies' OF the
garrison were going out to take sup
per with the departing officers. then
they were to ride back by moonlight.
Now or never must Patten declare
his intentions. When he rode away
with his troop that last morning. ne
stopped at Bertha's house and inn
pressed upon her that she must not
fail to come out that evening, he
wanted to see her very much" he
added, in what the listening Mrs.
Ruggles considered very significant
way. The good woman actually kiss
ed Bertha after the lieutenant had
ridden away, and the child, was so
surprised that she forgot to cry be-
cause her warrior bold" had ridden
"bravely to the fray"
She really looked very pretty when
she cantered OF to the camp that
afternoon; she felt quite confident Of
victory; it seemed to her that the
others went very slowly through the
pine woods. She would have let her
little bronco run every step of the
way had she been alone. Lieutenant
Patten was mounted when the party
arrived, and he suggested that he and
Bertha go for little ride, If she
were not too tired. Tired! not she;
she fairly beamed with delight. But,
after an hours scramble on the foot
hills, they came back, and matters
had not progressed at all. Patten was
lovely, but not quite lovely enough.
Visions of maternal wrath began to
float before Bortha'S ewes and dim