Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-20
Not on The Calendar
BY Nate Cleyes

! CIGd!I-cOiOfG0a pony HihShS" -
! the shoulder OF the hill and ne was
riding after her in all instant. Bur When
she turned and saw him coming down
! the trail and he saw the sparkle OF
| her blue ewes and the sunny CLEAN
OF her bright hair he pulled his Sra5
horse down 10 walk for his heart
was filed with apprehension. Sup
pose-iust suppose Nancy Gage pre-
ferred TO be alone this glorious May
| morning when all the ranges SHIN
mered with the fresh green O. young
grass and the melting blue OF the SKY
seemed 20 tint the gray rocks TO .
warmer. softer hue. With the iluctu'
ating mood OF an undeclared lover,
Peter felt sudden GOODNESS about his
heart. OF course she didn't want
him,
Good morning Peter Barton greet
ed Nancy in her sweet, friendly way I
thought you had started for Honey
Creek"
I've been there, and I'm on my
way home now" responded Peter.
Its long way around then be-
cause this trail leads to the Spouling
Springs" Nancy glanced up at him
from beneath thick fringing eyelashes'
He decided that turquoise blue eyes
seen through this allurins screen were
more dangerous than when turned d.
rectly on chap.
What is the matter? You haven't
| heard a word I've uttered!' scolded
! Nancy over her shoulder.
Heb? Why. you said you were going
10 Spoutins Spring. stammered Peter.
| reddening.
Il am-and you said you were on
your way home and remarked 1hat
! you were taking the long way around,
she said dcmurely.
You mean-that ] better be going
homer" Peter pulled his horse and
swung around on the back trail. !
beg your pardon, Miss Nan; l ought
not 10 nave butted in on your ride
without asking leave"
ooh, bother, didn't mean anything
Of the sort, Peter Barton" returned
Nancy GROSSLY. Why are you Sc thin
skinned about such little matters?
Because In in love with YOU
bh,rted Peter. Instantly he was hor-
ritied at his own temcrtiy. So long
as the words were unspoken there was
a chance-a chance that Nancy might
say YES" but now that they were
away from his lips the postponed an
swer must ccme-and he would have
nothing left 10 dream about during
those long nights on the open plains
when he was III camp with the
| boys.
Peter Barton:" Was there a
catch in Nancy's voice or did he mag
inc il?
You're not surprised, are vou?" He
was embcldened to continue. Most
| anybody could see how it is with
me-"
Could they There was no doubt
about it-Nancy's voice was cool.
Yes" said Peter recklessly. e! sus-
pect the whole camp knows what a
/ foot | am"
do you believe SOP" asked Nancy
frieidly.
"Yes-you wouldn't marry me,
would you. Miss Nan?" Peters hand
rested on the satin flank Of the cream
coIored pony, and the broad brim OF
I his hat brushed Nancy's shoulder.
There was a flick of Nancy's whip
and the creapl-co!ored pony dashed
forward. "Of course ia marry YOU
retortcG Nancy over her shoulder. and
| anyone but a man deeply in love would
have recognized the mockery in her
voice
"When?" demanded Peter ardently
urging his own horse in pursuit.
will you go home now if tell
/ you?" was Nancy's odd reply, IS she
/ halted her pony and faced him.
"Yes-Ill go anywhere, if yoG wapt
ne TO-" said Peter dazedly. for as yet
he could not believe that it was he
who vas boldly asking lovely Nancy
| Gage. his boss daughter, to share the
I humble lot OF a cattleman.
I'll marry you-of course" called
! Nancy, lightly though her eyes looked
| dark now. I'll marry you sure, the
thirty-ftrst Of September" The white
| pony flashed about and dashed down
the trail while Peter Barton sat like
I! a statue gazing after his sweetheart
that's what she was-his promised
sweetheart, He'd she not just said so
with her sweet lips, and then fled away
| from him with girlish shyncss? Pc
ter removed his hat and watched her
until the pony and rider lad disappear
ed around the rocky entrance to Spout
ing Spring canon.
Peter Barton entered the bunk house
two hours late that evening. ana The
! big package Of mail matter that he
| tossed on the table before his con-
rades did not allay their just indigna-
/ ton at his hardness on the eyentful
day Of the week,
/ His face was transigured with Joy
and they knew that something had
t..