The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-01-06

cream-cOlOreQ pony Wuisheo Aoonu
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
horse down to a walk for his heart
was filled with apprehension Sup
pose-just suppose Nancy Gage pre-
ferred to be alone this glorious May
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 fiuctu-
ating mood of an undeclared lover,
Peter felt sudden coldness about his
heart. OF course she didn't want
him!
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 long way around then be-
cause this trail leads to the Spcuting
Springs" Nancy glanced up at him
from beneath thick ringing eyelashes.
He decided that turquoise blue eyes
seen through this alluring screen were
more dangerous than when turned d.
rectly on a chap.
What II the matter? You haven't
heard a word Eve utteredl" scolded
Nancy over her shoulder.
Heb? Why, you said you were going
to Spouting Spring." stammered Peter.
reddening. RI
Il sm-and you said you were on
your way home and remarked that
you were taking the long way around"
she said demurely.s
You mean-that better be going
homer" Peter pulled his horse and
swung around on the back trail Il
beg your pardon. Miss Nan: ought
not to have butted in on your ride
without asking leave"
"Oh, bother, / didn't mean anything
Of the sort, Peter Barton" returned
Naney Grossly. why are you so thin
skinned about such little smatters?'
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
a chance-a chance that Nancy might
say "yes;" but now that they were
away from his lips the postponed an
swer must come-and he would have
nothing left to dream about during
those long nights on she open plains
when he was in camp with the
boys.
Peter Barton!" Was there q
catch in Nancy's voice or did he mag
inc it?
You're not surprised. are your" He
was emboldened to continue. Most
anybody could see how 1t is with
mel"
Gould theyr There was no doubt
about it-Nancy's voice was COOL
"Yes." said Peter recklessly. II sus-
pect the whole camp knows what q
fool ami"
do you believe so?" 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
will you go home now II tell
your" was Nancy's odd reply, as she
halted her pony and faced him
"Yes-Pll go anywhere. II 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-
"fll marry you-of counsel" called
Nancy, lightly though her eyes looked
dark now. "Tll marry you sure. the
thirty-first of September" The white
pony flashed about and dashed down
the trail, while Peter Barton sat like
a statue gazing after his sweetheart
that's what she was-his promised
sweetheart Had she not just said 90
with her sweet lips, and then fed away
from him with girlish shyness?
Peter Barton entered the bunk house
two hours late that evening. and the
big package Of mail matter that be
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