The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-05-31

TO see him before she reached the emu |
OF her run. SO lie got ten days lay
on and set his teeth together as II he
was going into den OF Hons or
baby show. or something like that, and
went. The old lady was better when
he got there Within week she was
sitting up, and Bilrs excuse for stay
ing In the house with her wore pretty
thin. He saw the girl so past several
times, and lie noticed that she looked
in with an expression ON her face that
resembled anxiety, but It never oc.
Cured to him that she was so anxious
to make up with him that she couldn't
eat or sleep. And | expect he'd have
gone back to his dear old teakettle
without finding II out II It hadn't been
for an accident.
"He was standing In front OF the vii
lage postoffice one morning waiting for
the mail to be distributed. He was
keeping his eye peeled for the girl
He didn't want to meet her He was
afraid. He reasoned that II could do
no good and would be confoundedly
embarrassing. He never carries
false face with him, Bill doesn't And
then. too, he wasn't absolutely sure OF
himself He knew down deep In his
steam chest that lac had about as
much affection for the girl as he'd
ever had, and he rather suspicioned
that II he met her face to face he'd
make three or four kinds of fool of
himself. He could see her house from
where he stood, a pretty place In
regular snarl OF roses and honeysuc-
kies and flower beds, and I've notion
that he looked Mt It with something OF
/ longing and regret. It was only natu-
raj that he should.
"Well. while he was standing there
an old friend of his came up on horse
back aud asked him If he wouldn't do
a favor for him. He wanted Bill to
take the horse home. Some business
had unexpectedly claimed his imme-
dlate attention, and he didn't like to
leave the horse standing on the street
He thought Bill might like n ride any,
way. OF course Bill said he would
He didn't know any more about riding
horseback than woodchuck knows Of
dairying, but he never hesitated to ac.
commodate friend. He got his mail
and climbed into the saddle. and I'm
less than three minutes something was
doing IN his vicinity.
"The horse was spirited beast,
with habit of shying at everything
which seemed to offer an excuse for II,
and every time he SHE'D Bill stuck i'm
his heels, and every time Bill stuck In
his heels the beast took It as an invi-
tatlon to make speed Halfway down
the street he was galloping right mer.
rily. A little farther Bill was bouncing
like rubber ball. He said Whoa but
1t didn't seem to have any effect. His
mall, which he had tucked under his
arm, was scattered broadcast.
ut dawned on Bill presently that he
was being run away with but he
didn't lose his head. Bill never loses
his head. Said he to himself, I've
got to shut off steam! And he
stretched himself on the beasts neck
reaching for the nose, and he got
grip on II, and the first thing that
horse knew he couldn't breathe, and
something was on his neck, for Bill
had bounced clean over the shoulders,
and he stopped dead, stiff legged as
sawhorse
But Bin didn't stop-not at once.
He went on, aud he landed plump on
pansy bed In the yard at the end Of
the street, and when he opened his eyes
he was looking square into the face
of the girl, who had been sitting under
tree reading. Neither spoke for
moment. The girls color came and
went, and Bilps breath did likewise,
but pretty soon the girls wits, which
were in working order, 1t seems, as
serted themselves. oh, Wlll,' she
said, I'm so glad you've come back to
mev
"Bill raised himself on his elbow in
q dazed sort OF way and tried to say
something, but his breath wasn't quite
equal to 1t. And the girl went down
on her knees and wrapped her arms
about him. SO glad, dearr she muir
INJURED .f
'"They got married. That's all there
was to It. And we're doing the best
We can till they get back from their
honeymoon trip"
The semblaDce OF smile appeared
upon the Milwaukee mans face. II
suppose that under the circumstances
We'll have to forgive him. he said.
But, by jingo, Pm sorry we're going
to miss connections at Whippleville.
I'm to be married myself tonight If l
can get to Carlinsburg"
"Pshaw" said the conductor. "You
don't say" Then he chuckled. Guess
you'll have to go horseback, won't
yOu?"
Not on your silver plated punchg'
replied the Milwaukee man decld,
edly.