The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-02-18
iction
Two SIeighS and a Maiden.
BY HELEN WOOD.

r.
an expression of disappointment and
wounded pride, and It was evident
that the Eve miles Of fine sleighing be-
fore him on this keen, beautiful night
held no charms. Dlsconsolate he look
ed and dlsconsolate he felt, for had he
not just been scorned by the lady of
his hearth
Little had he thought when he drove
Susannah Peters out to Johnson's gold
en- wedding that she would desert him
for his bitterest rival, Ed Sparks. and
yet
Joel had danced often with the pret-
ty. golden haired Susannah She, hap
PLY conscious of her new blue ribbons
and pink cheeks, had beamed upon
him, dancing his heart quite out OF
HIN and himself into the brave resolve
to speak of his love on the homeward
drive, for, although Joel had "kept
company" with Susannah for six
months, he had always lacked the
courage TO task her. point blank.
Now, Ed Sparks, on the other hand,
lacked not the courage, but rather had
pressed his suit, even when Susannah
had clearly snubbed him. Perhaps II
was done only TO ncttle the hesitating
Joel; perhaps Susannah was really i'm
pressed by Eds brand new suit Of
store clothes, scarlet tie and gllttering
cuff buttons and studs. At any rate,
when the dancing was done and the
big dining room was thrown open it
was Ed Sparks who stepped quickly
forward and "handed" Susannah to
the delectable feast, and II was Ed
Sparks who filed her glass with Aunt
Marcy Johnson's best blackberry wine
when the health Of host and hostess
was drunk. And all the while Joel
Herrick his heart eaten out with jeal-
ousy. tried to look gay MS he served
another and less favored damsel
After supper goodbys were said, the
stone bottles were filed with hot wa
ter in anticipation Of long rides
through the cold night, the women
bundled each other up in tippet and
shawl, while the men harnessed the
horses. To be sure, Joel had but one
horse to harness, yet the crafty Ed
managed to reach the house door first
with his pranclng young horses and n
new, fancy sleigh. Susannnh gave one
swift glance from Eds dashing turn
out TO staid Bay Charley and the old
fashioned cutter. Vaguely she heard a
chorus of feminine "oh's" and "ah's,"
and Joel's fate was sealed. She sprang
into Eds sleigh, the envy Of every
other girl OH the great porch.
All this furnished anything but
pleasant thoughts for Joel as he drove
home alone, and when he realized that
at this moment Eds arm might be
encircling the slender waist of Susan
nah he fairly groaned In spirit Per
haps the bold fellow might even dare
to kiss her. Joel grasped his whip
tightly, and Bay Charley sprang for
ward in surprise.
Two miles had been covered, and he
reached a point where the road wound
through patch of woodland. The
trees stood gaunt, strange and black
against the dazzling snow. Now and
then a branch snapped with the cold,
sounding like the report of pistol on
! the still moonlight. Joel commenced
TO whistle from sheer loneliness. Then
suddenly the sound died on his lips.
In astonishment he saw woman
walking toward him. Nearer and near
er they came together. More and more
familiar became the outlines Of that
feminine figure As he slowed up II
shrank back against tree.
"Why, Susannah"
"Oh, Joel, I'm so glad it's you"
There were tears in her voice. But
Joel remembered the sights, the hu
initiation, recently put upon him and
hardened his heart and his voice.
"well, Miss Peters, If you are goin'
home alone shall be pleased to take
you under my care"
His tone was not inviting, but the
shivering Susannah quickly climbed to
his side. Joel touched up Bay Charley,
but for some time remained silent.
Now and then he glanced at the little
figure crouched at his side, shaking
with sobs and cold together. Joel's
heart reproached him, and he finally
remarked:
"Seems to me you amt actin right
tonight First you take up with a no
account sort Of fellow like Ed Sparks;
then you go walkin' alone at this time
of night. Where's Ed, an what does
he mean lcavin' you all alone like
this? II he amt treated you right I'll
take him out an horsewhip him"
Susannah laid her hand appealingly
on JOers arm.
"I've been mean to you, Joel but
but this amt Eds fault. I-I-fell
outv
Joel snortcd incredulously.
"Yes, did, too, Joel, We were Just
above Old Man Judkin's place, an one
of those big wild geese was lyin' in
the road, we not seein' 1t because Of
its bein' all white. 1t just took an
few right up in the horses faces.
They're splrlty, you know, an won't
stand much, an'-an' this very soft
ly and slyly-"Ed amt a driver like
you. He amt strong. They ran like
wild, an he had to stand up to hold
'em. An when we turned the corner
by the old apple tree the sleigh went
into a post, toppled over anil fell
ont An when | got IN I saw the