Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-08-09
BY cLARISSA MACKIE

tuARANh AHt liht llt Htt-'bt ANNs
Tony con and Bert Reid yanked
their horses aside rs the schoolma'am
came dying up the trail on her little
black pony.
There amt n fire nowheresf" called
Tony jocosely as she swept past them
"No" she laughed I'm just out for
q breath of fresh air.
"Jest like woman TO go tearing
around losing her breath SOS to get
fresh BREATH" unused Tony as they
watched her graceful, receding form.
"Yes. agreed Bert.
Tony looked at him narrowly.
"You and Miss Nan Laren amt so
chummy as you was" he said bluntly.
Not so you'd notice It," growed
Bert.
$50 she handed you yours, eh? jest
as sweetly as she handed me mine and
Mason Pepper his. Well. when get
to housekeeping I'm not going to put
out sign Beware Of the Dog My
signs going TO read. Beware OF the
Schoolmaams
Were going to have rain" remark
ed Bert
"You can change subject most dell.
catcly. Bert Speaking of schoolma'ams
makes me weep: weeping makes me
think OF tears. tears are like rain:
hence and therefore il looks like rain"
Tony threw back his head and laughed
mirthfully. and Bert joined him with
rueful glance.
"She wouldn't even let me ask her"
he confded suddenly she seems mad
about something"
"Mebbe she just can't stand seeing
you around. on general principles
chuckled Tony. with a glance at Bert's
handsome. moody conntenance.
'That sounds likely. Well. you fel.
lows can count me out OF the game
There's Dan Cox. I've got to see him
minute. Tony" Bert dashed ahead
to intercept the postmaster at Red
Spider, while Tony Goff pulled his
horse to n standstill and unused thought
fully.
Suddenly he wheeled the animal
about and dashed back along the trail
In pursuit OF Nan Laren
He was surprised 10 find that young
lady sitting shoulder high in the purple
sage. looking mournfully at the setting
sun.
The schoolma'am turned around. and
Tony saw look of bitter disappoint-
ment sweep her fair face.
"Oh. it's you. Mr. Con-" she said In
a constrained tone.
Its only me-" admitted Tony in a
thrilling tone. Somehow nobody ever
wants me. Now. IL II had been Bert
Reid The pause was eloquent.
Il hate him" said Nan Laren coolly
Tony smiled wisely. She's sure
gone on him." he told himself.
'IIe certainly is no account" he
agreed cheerfully.
what do you mean?" she asked
quickly.
"Oh. ] mean he's just the kind Of a
man any one would naturally hate. He
amt got winning way with him."
Nan was silent. Again she turned TO
the sunset Tony Con winked at his
pony.
We'll. ] must be humping along II
I'm going TO the dance at Red Spider
don't reckon Wen see you there. Miss
Nam"
Hardly" returned Nan coolly.
Tin sorry. expect there's plenty
others will miss you. too" said Tony
regretfully.
I'm tired Of dancing" yawned Nan
with n successful air of boredom. u
had planned to ride over TO the Water
Drop tonight and see II ! couldn't get
a photograph OF It by moonlight"
"Oyer TO the Water Drop aloner
shrieked Tony. surprised.
Certainly I'm not afraid"
Miss Laren. please don't 90. or II
you Insist upon going let me so along
I'll keep IN the background. but you
hadn't ought 10 20 alone"
Nan arose to her graceful height and
shook back her sunny hair.
THANK you SO much. Mr.. Con-" she
said sweetly. but I'm not In the least
afraid In fact, | prefer 10 be alone.
"Ouchw WINGED Tony. turning his
rony's head toward home.
Don't mind my being hateful" she
said with a sudden quaver IN her voice
81 don't mind. I'm used 10 being
trod upon That's what worms are
for" grinned the volatile Tony. wav.
Ing his hat in farewell
I'm sorry" her voice foated re-
gretfully after him. aud when after a
little he turned and looked nj her her
face was Buried IN the soft black
name % her surprised pony.
Gosh. do believe they've quarrel
ed" unused Tony as he went pounding
homeward.
After supper he found Bert Reid
making his toilet upstairs in the room
they shared together As Bert knotted
crimson silk scarf under the soft
collar OF his white silk shirt Tony