Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-03-28
Not on the Calendar
By Kate CleyeS

Peter Barton caught a glimpse OF
Nancy Gage just as the tail of her
cream-colored pony whisked around
the shoulder of the hill and he was
riding after her in an instant. But when
she turned and saw him coming down
the trail and he saw the sparkle of
her blue eyes and the sunny CLEAN
OF her bright hair he pulled his gray
morse down to walk for his heart
was filled with apprehension. Sup
pose-Just suppose Nancy Gage pre-
ferred to be alone this glorious Nav
morning when all the ranges SHIN
mered with the fresh green of young
grass and the melting blue of the sky
seemed to tint the gray rocks to
warmer, softer hue. With the fuctu-
ating mood of an undeclared lover.
Peter felt sudden coldness about his
heart. Of course she didn't want
hint
Good morning Peter Barton" greet
ed Nancy in her sweet. friendly way Il
thought you had started for Honey
Creek"
I've been there, and I'm on my
way home now," responded Peter.
It's a long way around then be-
cause this trail leads to the Spouting
Springs" Nancy glanced up at him
from beneath thick fringing eyelashes.
lie decided that turquoise blue eyes
seen through this alluring screen were
more dangerous than when turned d.
rectly on a 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
to Spouting Spring." stammered Peter.
reddening
L am-and you said you were on
your way home and | remarked that
you were taking the long way around"
she said demurely.
You mean-that 1 better be going
homer" Peter pulled his horse and
swung around on the back trail. 81
beg your pardon, Miss Nan: 1 ought
not to have butted in on your ride
without asking leave"
"Oh, bother, didn't mean anything
of the sort. Peter Barton" returned
Nancy GROSSLY. why are you so thin
skinned about such little matters?'
Because I'm in love with you"
blurted Peter. Instantly he was hor-
rified at his own temerity. So long
as the words were unspoken there was
chance--a chance that Nancy might
say yes" but now that they we're
away from his lips the postponed an
swer must come-and he would have
not hinU 1nf To
those long nights on the open plains
when he was in camp with the
boys.
Peter Barton!" Was there
catch in Nancy's voice or did he mag
inc it?
You're not surprised, are you?" He
was emboldened to continue. Most
anybody could see how it is with
met"
Gould they?" There was no doubt
about it-Nancys voice was cool.
Yes" said Peter recklessly. q sus-
pect the whole camp knows what a
fool l ami"
DO you believe SOP" asked Nancy
frigidly.
"Yes-you wouldn't marry me,
would you, Miss Nan?" Peters hand
rested on the satin flank of the cream
colored pony, and the broad brim of
his hat brushed Nancy's shoulder
There was a flick of Nancy's whip
and the cream-colored pony dashed
forward. "Of course I'd marry YOU"
retorted Nancy over her shoulder. and
anyone but man deeply in love would
have recognized the mockery in her
voice.
"When?' demanded Peter ardently.
urging his own horse in pursuit.
viii you go home now if 1 tell
you?' was Nancy's odd reply, as she
halted her pony and faced him.
"Yes-I'n go anywhere, if you want
me TO-" said Peter dazedly, for as yet
he could not believe that it was he
who was boldly asking lovely Nancy
Gage, his boss daughter, to share the
humble lot of cattleman.
I'll marry you-of counsel" called
Nancy, lightly though her eyes looked
dark now. 'Pn marry you sure, the
thirty-first of September" The white
pony flashed about and dashed down
the trail, while Peter Barton sat like
statue gazing after his sweetheart
that's what she was-his promised
sweetheart! Had she not just said so
with her sweet lips, and then fed away
from him with girlish shyness? Pc
ter removed his hat and watched her
until the pony and rider had disappear
ed around the rocky entrance to Spout
ing Spring canon.
Peter Barton entered the bunk house
two hours late that evening. and the
big package of mail matter that he
tossed on the table before his COM
rades did not allay their just indigna,
ton at his hardness on the eventful
day of the week
His face was TRANSPORTED with Joy
and they knew that something had
happened to lift the. cloud from his
brow. 1t was Ben Holcomb whose