Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-09-17

evident that he Intended TO wait for
their descent from the tree. ile took
up his position beneath the cool shade
and waited.
Anne lifted shamed face. Has he
gone. Nenl?" 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 Inc 10
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-leanlng
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. 'Ive driven you
from the only safe position, only-you
sce--I Couldn't She paused help
lessly.
"Of course you couldn't" returned
Neal easily. II shall take lower
stand-no danger-he can't touch me.
Somebody'll be after him presently. It's
growing late. Too bad we missed our
row on the river"
| A half hour passed In silence Anne
leaned YEARLY against the tree trunk.
her eyes 9xed on the river below. Neal
most uncomfortably astride Of slen-
der branch that bent dangerously nm
der his weight. sincerely wished that
It would not be Nathan Fuller who
came TO their. rescue. That bucolic
youths contempt for "city fellcrs" ran.
killed. In the bosom OF one who had been
at the front In college athletics. who
had spent vacation on n Wyoming
ranch and learned to ride buckine
broncho.
II suppose We couldn't make any one
suggested Anne obviously. Tiff Mr.
Fuller were only around he might
know what to do" She voiced the
thought half consciously and flushed at
Meals snort Of contempt.
"Mr Fuller. even though he has gen.
erations Of stock raising ancestors be-
hind him. cannot change maddencd
bull into n lamb and lead him away
by blue ribbon. Unless the ar'mals
attention Is attracted elsewhere or he
is captured by strategy don't see how
either OF US can get away" Neal
paused and seemed TO debate some
question within himself He looked
down at the bull.
"what were you going to say?"
questioned Anne.
Merely that 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 he
killed." protested Anne. ignoring his
| sarcasm.
At that instant something happened.
The bull lifted an ugly black head.
rolled n malicious red eye and hun
grily nipped at the dropping willow
branch where Neal sat. The flexible
limb dipped down. down. and sudden
~ Neal lost his grip Of small twigs
and slid quickly down the slippery
branch. landing squarely astride Of
| the animals broad back.
Instinctivcly his hands graSncd the
smooth little horns before the frigbten-
ed beast dropped his head and swung
around. As the willow branch whip
ped upward Neal heard Anne's dcsper-
ateiy frightened cry:
Meal. Neal. Neal" Then he was
away ON his mad ride They mounted
rise Of ground. and she closed her
eyes and prayed
When she opened them again she
did not look at the field She turned
her gaze down 10 the river. where a
boat fioated close under the willows.
In the boat were Nathan Fuller and
very pretty girl. The girl was speak
ing, half sobbing. then Nathan's
voice in reply: Il cant help II. Lucy.
She rs good as asked me 10 take her
tonight. It's Just city folks ways.
You know don't care about any one
but your
III you take that girl tonight I
shan't speak TO you again" flashed
Lucy tcarfully. "She wants 10 marry
you. know she does
Annc's face was scarlet with morti-
fication. Her silly gratitude toward
Nathan Fuller because he had saved
her life had nearly turned Lucy's ro-
nance into a tragedy. Anne leaned
forward and spoke:
"Mr. Fulicr!" when they had turned
startled faces upward she told her
story. and as Nathan FASTENED ashore
In quest Of Neal she added TO the girl
who stared at her resentfully You
see. | am engaged 10 Mr.. Burton. |
am doubly anxious for his welfare
Lucy smiled Understandings and
helped Anne down from her perch In
the tree Just ms Nathan returned with
Neal. who limped slightly.
Declining Nathan's Offer 10 row them
home. they stood by the rivers brink
until the two In the boat had disap-
pearcd around the bend Then Neal