Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1910-10-06


and waited
Anne lifted Il shamed face. HAS he
gone, Neal?" she asked meekly.
No; he's down there waiting Per
haps he'll get tired after awhile and
20 back to his pasture"
Cant YOU tiud a branch for me to
sit on;" inquired Anne from her posi-
ton. supported by Neal's willing arm.
I'm afraid not. but you can take
this placc-there. stand so-leaning
against the trunk and brace sour feet
here Hold tight to this little branch
on either side
Where are you going to stay?"
asked Anue uneasily i've driven you
from the only safe position, only-you
see-I couldnt~- She paused help
essly.
"Of course you couldn't" returned
Neal easily Il shall take lower
stand no danger he cant touch me-
Somebody be after him presently It's
grown. 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 fixed on the river below. Neal
most intentionally astrldc of a sen-
der branch that bent dangerously m
der his weight. sincerely wished that
it would not be Nathan Fuller who
came to their rescue. That bucoic
youths contempt for city fellerS' ram
Killed. in the bosom of one who had been
at the front in college athletics. who
had spent a vacation on a Wyoming
ranch and learned to ride a bucking
broncho
81 suppose we couldn't make any one
hear even If we called ever so loud"
suggested Anne dubiousy f-tf Mr..
Fuller We're only around ne might
know what to do" she voiced the
thought half consciously and flushed at
Meals snort Of contempt
"Mr. Fuller. even though ne has gen.
erations OF stock raising ancestors be-
hind him. cannot change maddened
bull into lamb and lead him away
by blue ribbon Unless the animals
attention is attracted elsewhere or he
is captured by strategy don't see how
either OK 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 sayY
questioned Anne.
Merely that might drop down on
the beasts back and thus get him
away FROM your viciuity-that might
give you an opportunity to seek as
sistanve from Mr.. Fullcr-and at the
same time relieve YOU of my compan-
ionship." Nral'S voice was bitter as
he voiced This sentiment
You couiGu't TO that-you might be
killed" protested Anne. ignoring his
sarcasm
1t that Instant something happened.
The bull lifted an ugly black head.
rolled Il malicious red eye md hun
grily uippcd Mt the dropping willow
branch where Neal sat. The flexible
limb dipped q IA down, and sudden
ly Neal lost his grip Of small twigs
aud slid quickly down the slippery
branch landing squarely astride of
the animals broad back
Instnctiycly 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 Annes desper-
ately frightened cry:
Meal. Neal. Near' Then he was
away on his mad ride They mounted
rise Of ground, aud she closed her
eyes and prayed
When she opened them again she
did not look at the field She turned
her gaze down to the river. where a
boat toated close under the willows.
In the boat were Nathan Fuller and a
very pretty girl The girl was speak
ing, half sobbing, then Nathan's
voice in reply Il can't help 1t, Lucy.
She as good as asked me to take her
tonight. It's just city folks ways.
You know don't care about any one
but your
"If you take that girl tonight
shan't speak to you againw flashed
Lucy tearfully. "She wants to marry
you. l know she doesw
Anne's face was scarlet with mort-
fcation. Her silly gratitude toward
Nathan Fuller because he had saved
her life had nearly turned Lucy's ro-
nance into n tragedy. Anne leaned
forward and spoke:
MIR. Fuller When they had turned
startled faces upward she told her
story. and as Nathan FASTENED ashore
IN quest " Neal she added to the girl
who stared at her resentfuly: You
see, ! am engaged to 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 Iimped slightly.
Declining Nathan's offer to row them
home, thcy stood by the rivers brink
until the two in the boat had disap.
peared around the bend Then Neal
turned to Anne, standing with down
cast eyes and nervously plucking
hands
'Anne,' he said quietly. Il shall
aeYer again ask sou to marry me-"
i don't blame you-Im such an mr..