The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-10-25


repeatedly charged the tree trunk will
most unsatisfactory results. Presently
he desisted from the attack. and hi
angry below diminished to low NUT
ter. like distant thunder. 1t was quite
evident that he intended to wait fol
their descent from the tree. He tool
up his position beneath the cool shade
and waited.
Anne lifted shamed face. Has hi
gone. Neal?" she asked meekly.
mo; he's down there waiting Per
haps he'll get tired after awhile and
go back to his pasture"
Cant you find branch for me t.
sit on" inquired Anne from her posi-
ton. supported by Meals willing arm
I'm afraid not. but you can take
this place-there, stand so-leaninf
against the trunk and brace your fee
here. Hold tight to this little branch
on either side"
Where are you going to stay?'
asked Anne uneasily. ave driven you
from the only safe position, only-yor
see-I Couldn't She paused help
lessly.
"Of course you couldn't" returned
Neal easily. II shall take a lowel
stand-no danger-he can't touch me
Somebody'n be after him presently. It:
! growing late. Too bad we missed ouI
row on the river
| hoIF hnrYr no ccad In. c,flanoa A,,n<
leaned YEARLY against the tree trunk
her eyes fixed on the river below Neal
most uncomfortably astride of slen
der branch that bent dangerously un
der his weight, sincerely wished thai
1t would not be Nathan Fuller who
came to their rescue. That bucolit
youths contempt for "city fellers' ran
kled In the bosom of one who had beer
at the front in college athletics, who
had spent vacation on a WyAmins
ranch and learned to ride a b1ckine
| broncho
| 81 suppose we couldn't make any one
hear even If we called ever so loud.
suggested Anne obviously. Tiff Mr.
Fuller were only around he NIGH
know what to do" She voiced the
thought half consciously and flushed al
Meals snort Of contempt.
MIR. Fuller. even though he has gen
erations of stock raising ancestors be
hind him. cannot change a maddenet
bull into lamb and lead him away
by blue ribbon. Unless the animals
attention is attracted elsewhere or BIZ
is captured by strategy don't see how
either Of us can get away" Nea
paused and seemed to debate some
question within himself He looked
down at the bull.
What were you going to sayY
| questioned Anne.
Merely that l might drop down on
the beasts back and thus get him
away from your vicinity-that might
give you an opportunity to seek as
sistance from Mr.. Fuller-and at the
same time relieve you of my compan,
ionship." Meals voice was bitter as
he voiced this sentiment.
| you couldn't do that-you might be
killed." protested Anne. ignoring his
sarcasm.
At that instant something happened
The bull lifted an ugly black head
rolled malicious red eye and hun
grily nipped at the dropping willow
branch where Neal sat The flexible
limb dipped down, down, and sudden
ly Neal lost his grip of small twigs
and slid quickly down the slippery
branch, landing squarely astride Of
the animals broad back.
Instinctively his hands grasped the
| smooth little horns before the frighten
ed beast dropped his head and swung
around AS the willow branch whip
| ped upward Neal heard Anne's desper
| ately frightened cry:
'Neali Neal, Nealr' Then he was
away on his mad ride They mounted
rise Of ground, and she closed heI
eyes and prayed.
When she opened them again she
did not look at the field. She turned
her gaze down to the river. where 8
boat floated close under the willows
In the boat were Nathan Fuller and 6
very pretty girl. The girl was speak
ing. half sobbing. then Nathan's
voice in reply: Il can't help it, Lucy
She as good as asked me to take hel
tonight It's just city folks ways
You know l don't care about any one
but your
IF you take that girl tonight
! shan't speak to you again" flashed
Lucy tearfully. "Sbe wants to marry
you. know she doesp'
Anne's face was scarlet with morti
fication. Her silly gratitude TOWARD
Nathan Fuller because he had saved
her life had nearly turned Lucy's 70
nance into a tragedy. Anne leaned
forward and spoke:
"Mr FullerT' When they had turned
startled faces upward she told hel
story, and as Nathan FASTENED ashore
In quest Of Neal she added to the cir
who stared at her resentfuIly: "YoI
see, / am engaged to Mr.. Burton.
am doubly anxious for his welfare"
Lucy smiled Understandings and
helped Anne down from her perch IL
| the Tree just as Nathan returned VIII
Neal, who limped slightly.
Declining Nathan's offer to row then
home, they stood by the rivers brinl
until the two in the boat had disap
peared around the bend. Then Nea
turned to Anne, standing with down
cast eyes and nervousIy pluckins
hands.
ANNE" he said quietly. 81 shall
never again ask you to marry me-
II don't blame you-Im such an ar
rant coward, and there's really moth
ing nkable about me-" admitted Ann,
shakily. you must let me tell you
think you were very brave to do wha
you did. It was splendid
1T was an accident. 1t was pur,
good luck" returned Neal calmly
then insistently. Il shall never agail
ask you to marry me, Anne, because
Nathan has just told me he heard you
announce our engagement to Mis-.
Lucy"
Anne was crying now softly.
do you love me. darling?" asked
Neal. his arms around her
Anne's rosy face pressed close to hii
own was sufficient answer.
A Reproof.