Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-07-17

You've got the grit OF your dad
Miss Millicent." he said. admiriDgly
Keep Il upl Don't let Il be said q
James could blum a Street."
rWell, should say not" an
swered. and with that felt SO proud
that I was quite ashamed to let him
know the peril that was In of being
arrested and carried away to prison.
Not that I believed Harold James
could really close that road. But the
Jameses could do almost anything In
our county. and II they chose to go to
law--well, everyone knows that four
Thousand dollars has hard work
lighting fourteen millions. wasn't
too joyful when awoke next morn
ing.
I looked out of the window. The
boards were still there, but there was
no sign Of the tramp agent was
going into town anyway that day to
get the mail, so had breakfast
quickly and put on my hat and sal
lied forth.
Then I saw something that made
my heart jump into my throat. Close
to the gate, tied to a short stake by
very long chain, was the most savage
looking bull had ever seen. He had
his head down, and as | approached
the garden gate he gave one below
and began to paw the ground furi-
ously.
tried to compute the length Of that
chain. Could | go past without be-
ing impaled upon the creatures
horns? Bulls have always been my
one terror.
| saw that he could not reach the
garden, and of course | could have
climbed over the fence. But pride
would not permit that plan. | APP
preached slowly, and / think must
have looked like a woman wis is sea-
sick, for had pretty much the same
sensations as they say this malady
brings with it.
Then took heart again. The chain
was too short. could pass the bull
with several feet to spare. Well, |
would show Harold James just what
l. thought of him. was going into
Hicksville, and | would buy revolv-
er there, and come back and shoot
the creature. That is what any Street
would do.
felt so infuriated that, as passed
the snorting monster, | snapped my
fingers at it. Next instant, with a
roar, the creature leaped at me.
heard the chain ring taut. and saw
the stake come out of the ground.
tried to run. but my limbs refused to
support me. And then-well, for the
first time in my life tainted.
Il cannot have been unconscious
long, for when l opened my eyes the
bull was feeding a short distance
away. as peacefully as though 1t had
never had thoughts of violence toward
me. And the gamekeeper was bend
ing over me, a look of agonized re-
proach upon his face.
II didn't mean to do it-indeed
didn't" he was saying over and over
again. Mr.. James told me to hide
behind the board and prick old Hiram
with the goad. He didn't mean him
to get at you. He wouldn't hurt a
soul Won't you forgive me?"
Il suppose you have to earn your
wages" | answered CURLY, getting
upon my feet, heartily ashamed of my
weakness. But tell your Mr.. James
that there are men in the county who
still know how to protect woman"
What do you mean?" he demanded
bluntly, and he looked quite shocked,
Il mean that my fiance, Mr-Mr.
Tarrish will have something to say
to him." said, naming the little
grocer on the spur of the moment.
This fellow probably wouldn't know
who Mr. Tarrish was, for he was a
stranger to the county, and Hicksville
was not the nearest village to the
James estates.
Are you-engaged--to Mr.. Tar
rish?" inquired the man, paling.
What business is it of yours?" |
Because" he said, 81 am Harold
James"
81 might lave guessed it from your
actions" | answered.
And then Mr.. Harold James sudden
ly caught hold of my hands.
"Millicent," he said pleadingly,
don't you remember how we used to
be sweethearts when we were at
school together and how you promised
some day to marry me? I've been
crazy over you ever since. I've still
got that photograph of you hanging
on my wall. And I've been sneaking
round for weeks, trying to catch a
glimpse Of you. knew from your
spirit that you'd never give me a
chance unless | did something rash.
Millicent. may have chance to win
your"