The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-05-05

That's so" said Jim, arousing him
self, and scanning the sky. Looks
as II we might have quite a down.
pour"
"oh, what shall we do7" gasped
Jessie. I'VE are half a mile from
home. around by the road, and there
isn't house near. Ny best hat will
be spoiled.
"We1l have to run for 1t. / guess"
Jim declared.
Couldn't we make a short cut
through Farmer Gifford's pastureT
Jessie suggested. "His creatures are
all in the other pasture now you
know"
When they reached the middle Of
the pasture Jessie came to a fun
stop, clutchlng her companions arm
frantically, and shrinking close 70 his
side
"Oh, Jim, look!" she breathed.
The dim outline Of a member Of the
bovine family loomed up huge and
startling, in front OF them.
TITS that dreadful animal Of Henry
Potter's." Jessie shuddered. "Oh,
what shall we dor"
Jlm's face blanched beneath its tan.
A shudder Of fear swept through
him. He covered back step or two.
Terror was on the point Of over
mastering him. Then a thought
flashed into his mind. He remem'
bered having seen a couple Of men
at work in this very lot that after
noon.
Courage filled his heart.
Here was the very chance he had
longed for-well, not exactly that
but one that would answer as a make
shift, he reasonable show jessie
that he could be brave on occasion.
A look Of grim determination
settled upon his face as he smothered
a slight feeling of shame for what he
was about to do.
Then he called out Run for the
fence, Jessie l won't let him hurt
you"
"Oh, Jim, can't go and leave you"
Jessie faltered.
Run" Jim commanded in a tone
that she could not refuse to obey.
She ran as she had never run be-
fore, stumbling over hummocks with
out needing them, and sobbing aloud
like a child, from sheer excitement.
How cruel l have been," she
thought. "And to think he, in spite
Of his fear, was ready to risk his life
for me! Oh, how ashamed l ami"
jim did not move from the stand
he had taken before the huge gloom
shrouded figure, until Jessie had
reached the fence in safety, and had
climbed over it.
Then he did a curious thing.
He deliberately turned his back
upon his adversary, which, by the
way, had apparently not moved a
muscle since Jessie had first spied
it, and ran
The great form still stood like a
craven image where he had left 1t.
With a bound Jim vaulted lightly |
over the fence.
"Oh, you are brave" Jessie sobbed, |
clinging to him. I'll never forgive
myself for calling you a coward. You
were splendid. Oh, Jim, l take every |
thing back-everything. l do love
you"
Again Jim smothered a feeling
akin to shame, as he stopped and |
kissed the sweet. tear-wet face, up
raised to his.
On his way home, a little later Jim
stopped in at Farmer Gifford's.
There's an animal in your south
pasture I'd like to buy" he said with
assumed carelessness.
"Why, there amt any animal there
except that COW sign-board Potter's
men put up there this afternoon"
twelve-year-old Willie Clifford burst
out wonderingly.
you shut up, bub." his father COM
manded sternly.
Then he gave Jim an understand
ing wink.
"saw you and your girl going
through there awhile back" he re-
marked. 'I guess nothing serious
would happen If the thing disap-
peared right now. Potter didn't even
ask leave for putting it there. Only
don't leave any klndlings lying
around"
Just as the town clock struck
12 long drawn-out strokes a supreme
ly happy man climbed the fence Of
Farmer Gifford's south pasture, and
soon, by the light of a lantern, an
AK was singing to the tune Of "All's
Fair in Love and War"
But the man would have been con.
surprised could he have
heard blushing faced girl whisper
ng to herself, in the seclusion Of her
OWN room:
"Oh l hope Jim will never find
out that l saw Henry Potter's men
putting that sign-board up. He
would never forgive me for know
ngly playing him such trick. But
couldn't help it, l had to have an
excuse for accepting him"