The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-08-03
HER ONLY WEAKNESS
By M. DIBBELL
Copyright. 10I1. by Associated Literary Press.l

give him an account of the dog fight,
ending by saying triumphantly, $50
you see, Bert, here Is another bugaboo
disposed of-nearly all women are
afraid of bull dogs"
ut certainly looks as IL Miss Ivan
were the exception to the general rule
of womankind," acknowledged Bert.
But how are you to play the role
of protecting strength, If there IS
nothing from which to protect herr
Il know she was glad Of my help
this afternoon" answered Allen. But
she did not have to go into Mysteries
to show it, and that is an unusual
characteristic"
The following afternoon Allen
stopped his handsome pair of bays at
Isabelle's gate, and the couple were
soon speeding on their way to the
great Rose farm. The horses were
fresh and before the ten miles to
their destination were cc~ered Allen
had another proof of his companions
| fearlessness.
The railway cut through a deep
|
as they neared the track shrill
''Toot! Toot!" sounded from an ap-
preaching train. The whistle startled
the young horses, and together they
bolted down the hill. Allen tried his
| best to check them, but failed; and
| they flew across the track at such
close range that the engine almost
grazed the rear wheels.
| Gradually Allen regained control OF
his team, and at the first possible In
slant he turned to Isabelle. Her lips
were firmly set, but she haG not made
sound, nor was there any look or
terror on her face. She met his gaze
and smiled
"You should be proud to own pair
of horses that can outrun railroad
train." she observed quietly.
| Allen answered, II am far prouder
to be honored with the friendship OF
such brave woman" He spoke so
| feelingly that Isabelle FASTENED to
change the subject.
| "Oh see! The roses are coming in
sight on that next SLOPE" she Informed
Allen with delight; and the mass OF
color was we'll worth their entire at
| tention.
On reaching the farm the young
people alighted and wandered through
| the beautiful place. Field after field,
full of the most perfect roses, met
their admiring eyes, and the assistant
who went with them plucked for Isa-
belle a rose from each bush she
| thought particularly lovely, until his
arms were filed.
! AS they turned back Isabelle said,
81 should live to keep on gathering
roses forever-this is my ideal OF
happiness"
Part of the roses were tucked un-
der the seat of the light buggy, and
the rest Isabelle insisted on carrying
herself. "They are SO beautiful SIM
ply must look at them," she said as
the obliging assistant handed her the
bunch.
They started homeward with every
indication of harmony. The bays evil
IDENTIFY felt that they were now on
their good behavior, and went with a
smooth, even pace.
They had just passed over the rail-
road track and were ascending the
| hill down which the team had bolted
when a cry of terror broke from lsa-
belle, and the bunch of roses she
had been holding so tenderly, were
scattered broadcast on the roadside.
what has happened?" asked Allen
| in real alarm" and utterly at a loss
| to account for the look of horror on
Isabelle's pale face.
"a big black spider!" she exclaimed.
1T was coming right at me over the
roses!"
Allen proved himself real man;
| for he did not laugh, but said sooth-
ingly:
"A spider would not hurt you, child,
and he is surely gone now with the
roses"
Almost as swiftly as 1t had come,
the fear vanished from Isabel1e's eyes.
and she walled. II have always been
afraid of spiders, and now you will
think / am a coward" She buried
her face in her hands.
The horses were walking slowly up
the steep ascent, and Allen dropped
the reins to take Isabelle's hands.
Gently he drew them away, and dis
closed a very woe-begone countenance.
| IT am truly glad to find that you
have one little weakness, dearest. fox
| have been fearing you would never
| listen to such an ordinary person as
myself. But that spider has given me
courage to tell you love you with
all my heart, Isabelle, and to beg you
will give me the right to protect you
from the one thing you do dread"
The look of love in his eyes won
the victory, for Isabelle answered
softly, IF you had laughed, Allen. it
would have hurt me more than you
can guess But you were so good.
know you would make an ideal pro
tector."
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