Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-01-30
half smothered feminine scream

a half smothered feminine scream,
sounded through the stiffness.
The young man pricked UP his ears.
and as the scream sounded once more
he dropped the pipe and tore down the
path at pace that had won him rec
ords on the cInder path.
Around bend In the path he sped.
and there before him he saw fran
tlcally plunging horse. an Etruscan
wrlnging his hand and jabbering help
lessly, while Il badly frightened bear
crawled through the underbrush with
many whoofs of genuine alarm.
The young man jumped for the bit,
caught II and chung on desperately.
The horse, thoroughly frightened.
snorted and plunged and acted gener-
ally like beast bcreft OF his senses.
With all his strength he strove TO
free himself from the young mans
grasp. but that stubborn viii was
equal to the emergency. Men with
mouths like the young mans don't let
go once they have gained hold.
| For several minutes II was battle
royal for the mastery then the young
mans strength and agility and spirit
prevailed.
The horse, quivering and painting.
came down on all fours and stood
there. shaking like leaf
You had best get out for moment
fxxss, ltA nd II
the girl meekly obeyed.
Then she saw his torn coat and blood
ON his wrist where the prongs of the
bit had torn the flesh.
"rom." she cried, quite forgetting
the recent npleasantness-"T dear,
are you hurt? There's blood ON your
hand. and you're all mussed up"
He smiled reassurlngly. mot I'm the
least. dearie." said he. Then he looked
steadily into hsr eyes. But I'd be
glad TO be ftp
"If WHAT" she asked rather breath
lessly.
IF could make you understand
what an ass feel myself to be and
how sorry am quarreled with you. -
| The young woman had her share OF
common sense. "Well. rather think
we can forgive each other without
anything so unnecessary as that" said
she. ut was my fault anyway"
| al rather think Il was mine," he de
ciared.
At that moment Pletro VincenZC
/ t0p MI mi nrx
fears. approached, nearly touching tn,
ground with his forehead. 50 low were
his bows. His gestures were rapid
and expressive, his face picture Of
woe.
"Not-a my fault! Not-a my fault.
he repeated over and over, his palms
upturned in depreciation.
The young man turned. "Youl
fault. he laughed. Not bit Of 1t
my friend. In fact. it's the most for
tunatc circumstance In the world that
you happened along just as you did
Here" And into the astounded Etrus
cans hand lie thrust crisp ten dollar
bill
| Pietro stood staring ut It stupidity
scarce daring to believe his good for
tune. while the young man helped the
girl back to the trap.
1t was only when the trap started
on that Pietro realized he was taking
something and giving nothing I'm re
turn.
"Waitw he cried. diving into th'
bushes for the recreant Gambietta
await. Mak-a da bear dance-a di
waltz"
ooh, that's all right" the young mar
laughed. you've earned the money!
The trap whisked down the path
Pietro hauled the bear from the un
derbrush and made him stand Mt his
clumsy salute.
His own tattered felt hat was clasp
cd In his hand as he watched the tive
young people. sitting close together
and both talking at once. drive out OF
sight. Then he and Gambietta SCI
forth at somewhat livelier pace IN
search of supper.