The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-03-25

in a twinkling. 1t was understood that
on the home trip Rose was to drive
and they were to have . free a
At the rear of h procession. ut
tcrly unnoticed and unthought Of.
We're the Farthing brothers and the
colt. Tom was driving and Jim sat
curled down. black and silent and pre-
occupied. He a not even wanted to
drive the horse.
Through winding valleys, between the
zigzagging parallels OF rail fences, into
dark gap where the songs echoed
strangely from the ragged walls, out
into tangles of scrub oak and yellow
pine. and through lanes OF r%hododen-
dron weirdly %clinging to its green TO-
liage even among the January SHOWS
mile after mile wound the a cav
alcade.
Bright, sunny days will soon pass
away
came the sweet chord from the sled
-girlish sopranos and altos blending
perfectly with tenors and basses. for
these people of the Seven Mountains
can sing. like all Others of German
blood.
All, the bright. sunny days had al
ready passed away for young Jim
at least, so it seemed to his brooding
soul. What use to think of winning
her from this contented, prosperous
money-bags. who basked in the favor
of the old squire and who could offer
her all of comfort and luxury that her
heart might desire? AS for him. what
had he save health, and youth, and a
pair of willing hands? He had not the
ghost of a chance.
I'm off to the wars; to the wars
I nus CO."
came the clear strains from the sled.
off to the wars"-a wild impulse arose
within him to do something, to dare
a deed that would thrill her and win
her. But there We're no wars to sc to,
might all in a moment snatch fame
and fortune-more the pity. The old
days were best; there was a chance
then for all. But he must do some-
thing to win her; something indeed
he must do. n at one But what?
And thus he sat bumped up and
dreamy. and saw nothing of the moon
light, and the wild scenery of the
gaps and he mountains ragged and
picturesque all about. And he scarcely
realized when at last they arrived at
the little mountain inn and the ride
was over. AS he helped to unspan the
horses. he was still "off to the wars"
daring deeds that should make her turn
in disgust from the clod beside her,
and fly to him-ah, to him!
The inn had little stable room and
they We're content to fasten the horses
under a long shed protected on all
sides save one. The time would be
out among the farmers for better ac-
cOmlnOdationS.
Then they sought the house, great
boys that they We're, pushing and slap
ping n another, joking and chatting,
full to the brim of animal spirits and
In 1phtnr md r,IN11 ,~,1~ >-s---A
of the night. The girls were already
inside, taking off hood and wrap, dis
closing pink cheeks and sparkling eyes,
as full of life and spirits as the boys
themselves.
Then came the chicken and waffle
Compartment of spreads" and
other good things-a repast to
dream about. 1t was no cold,
correct dinner party with myriad
courses and noiseless walters and VEL
vet voices: where the diner in dress
suit nibbles datntily at this and that
ana epigrams and soft MOTH
ings with the exquisite creature at his
right. Every one was completely at
home and wholly at his ease. He had
come to enjoy himself to the utmost,
and that was the business of the hour.
The stewed chicken. tender and brown.
swimming In a gravy At for gods, came
again and again into the circle of de-
struction, and still there was call for
more. Great, brown piles of waffes,
clustering hot. were brought in steady
stream to the tables to disappear like
pitched two at a time on empty plates,
drenched with syrup or chicken gravy
as from a hose, cut deity into quarters
and eighths by swift shearing OF knife
and fork, and slowed away-one-two
three. And all the time there was
laughter Of boys and giggling Of girls,
n Jokes and banter, and clashing Of
knives n forks n dishes. Cold for
mality n the Mr." and Miss" Of no
lite society We're miles away over the
ridges. It was bill and Dan" and
"Hat" and Liz" Will dared May to
q another waffle. and she smeared
with apple butter on the instant
and put 1t where it belonged mid
roars of laughter. Then It was her
turn to challenge him. And thus the
supper galloped to its close.
UP near the end of the table sat Kari
Keichline and Rose. He was an i'm
posing looking man al Jim saw him
from far down the board-suuare ana
solid. with a clean shaven. cherub face.
which had not line or shadow. A man
Of pork" Jim growled in his throat:
yet he could not but recognize the
strength OF his rival. A man who
through MS W efforts has secured a
competency at 40, and who, moreover.
has gained a ruling place in his native
county. is o n to be ignored from
any standpoint. BY every valley STAN
dacd the match was a perfect one, and
Jim recognized it. But. after all, what
could a girl like Rose see in a mere .ub
of a man like that?
(conti.ued Mex. Week.lt
identified.
She walked into the International