Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-02-24

that grew by the blackberry fence
and had even held spray Of the
flowers caressingly up to her face.
The next morning, while the sun
was yet asleep and two hours before
dawn, large shadow fell across the
entrance to Miss Colvin's little back
porch-a shadow that fingered only
a moment
When Catherine Colvin came out in
the early dawn she found on the shell
Of her porch a spray of scarlet bios
SONS in glass fruit jar0 On the jar
was pasted a slip of paper on which
was written, From an admiring
| friend" There was no signature, but
Miss Colvin looked at the footprints
In the damp soil and traced them
toward the fence that lay in the direc-
tion of Madison Brinkleys house.
One day in late September Alva
Burrus and Robinson Dunn, young
farmers of the neighborhood, came to
Madison Brinkley to buy some seed
wheat Madison went into his gran
airy to measure it out to them. His
measuring box was not in the wheat
house, however, and, remembering he
had left 1t in his kitchen, he went to
get It Burrus, sprawled on the pile
If wheat, carelessly thrust his hand
In its depths. Something round and
hard met his fingers. He swept off
the wheat
A giant watermelon, the largest Bur
rus had ever seen, appeared, bearing
an inscription on the rind, traced with
pin when the melon was small. The
letters had grown with the melons
growth until they looked as If done in
crewel embroidery.
Miss Catherine Colvin," read Bur-
rus, aloud. Say. Dunn. Madison
thinsk so much about his neighbor
he's got to writing her name on wa
termelons."
Cover up tina thing" cautioned
Dunn. "Madison's coming, and we
wouldn't get any wheat today If he
thought we had an idea he was court
in. He'd die before he'd face u.s."
Some days later Burrus saw Madi-
son in the vicinity of the Court House
and later on the road in his buggy
with ministeriallooking gentleman,
who accompanied him to his home.
This was sufficient to warrant Bur-
rus to arrange with some kindred
spirits a plan for an all nights fun.
That evening Miss Colvin, who, sit.
ting in pensive thought, had fallen
asleep, awakened suddenly. She went
to her window to see flash of flame
in the direction of Madison Brinkley's
house. AS she looked toward it in a
cold fear two other big flashes of flame
arose. Throwing little white shawl
over head, she ran toward the blaze.
| When she reached the thick hedge
about the yard the flames were rising
on every side, but the fire was but
bonfires of cornstalks built, at safe
distances from the house. A dozen
men replenished them. At that mo-
ment her ears were deafened by a
terrific clamor of horns, bells, beat
ing of pans, loud shouts and yells.
Come out on your porch, Madison
Brinkley," she heard Alva Burrus'
clear voice call above the uproar.
Come out on the porch with your
bride and receive the congratulations
of your friends"
Catherine clutched weakly at the
coral honeysuckle vine on the post by
which she stood. His bride!" So
what she thought was the fire of Madi-
son Brinkley's house burning was the
bonfire of celebration
Presently, accompanied by tall old
gentleman in black frock coat, Madi-
son came out of his door.
Il am not married." Catherine heard
him say. "You have all made a mis-
take"
'Whatd you bring that preacher in
with you this mornin' for. then?" call
ed out Francis Larimer. "Al Burris
said you was takin' him to marry you
to Miss Catherine Colvin! There's
Miss Catherine mean Mrs. Brinkley
now, hidin' behind that honey
suckle!" he ended, pointing at the
shrinking visitor.
Catherine came to the edge of the
porch. Don't say that, please" she
said, her voice trembling with NORTH.
cation. Il saw the light and | ran over
here to see-I-I-was afraid Madison
MIR. Brinkley was asleep in the fire!
II thought maybe could save
him!"
She covered her face with her
hands and burst out sobbing.
The minister, Lorenzo Marrs, Madi-
sons cousin. who was making him a
little visit, brought out chair for
Miss Colvin, and the crowd melted
away.
Madison sat down by Catherine. and
Rev. Lorenzo wisely went to the back
of the house for pitcher Of watar