Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-02-04

Uu have spent month In the open
lir with Bert you'll have more color In
| your cheeks
IL should think so. Indeed. Ilfelt the
color coming into my cheeks every
time I looked at my trousers. de-
rided to ride with Bert that very morn-
ing aud IN half an hour went out on
10 the veranda. booted and spurred.
had ridden in divided skirts, which
vas a fine preparation for riding In
breeches. Bert. who had already been
out ON horseback. rode up, and when |
had mounted we started on the daily
rounds.
81 studied Bert's countenance In an
effort to make out how far successful
| was In personating man. He didn't
give me the slightest evidence that
here was anything unusual In me,
.'rating me as a man would naturally
rcat another man several years young
~ than himself. He was very kind
unJ attentive. telling me all about the
range culture. the dangers incurred
md the pleasure experienced after
rassing Il season Of them In gathering
| ..u abundant crop. | relned In several
times during the morning under tree
% pluck ripe fruit How much more
delicious is an orange eaten just of
he tree than one picked green and
sent north, ripening on the way.
.sIt hnnnrnI
pages of this letter paper-especially
written In my scrawly hand-to give
rou an account Of my experience with
"ert varney. thought him very
pnre man. for noticed that he said
rot Il word to me but what he might
nave spoken to girl companion.
came at once to have so great a
rcverence-ad admira tion-for him partly
On this account that | took pains to
-epress the hoyden nature to which /
was born. and up to few days be-
fore was expecting to leave for home
icported myself in an exemplary man
ncr.
You know that riding horseback is
my hobby. and If had been a man !
would have long ago broken my neck
nt fence or ditch. There were no
fences ut the plantation except some
iuclOsing orange groves. but the bitches
we're Il constant temptation to- me.
was afraid that II should get fall
in taking one Of them 1t might lead to
betraying my sex. After resisting
many temptations | yielded one morn
IN. aud. making a run for ditch. at
tempted to put my horse over II. !
felt the bottom Of the universe drop
ming out beneath me. thnd. and
knew nothing more till saw Bert
bending over me. My coat and vest
were both open. and my shirt and un
dervest had been badly torn. saw
In a moment that my secret was out.
Though | was badly stunned. felt the
hot blood rushing into my cheeks.
Now. wasn't this Just too provoking
for anything? was lying on the
ground. but gathered strength to sit
M and rearrange my clothing. though
about all could do was to button my
coat. Then clapped both hands to
my burning cheeks and would have
kept them there had Bert not gently
pulled them away.
Don't trouble yourself. I've known
1t ever since the evening you came
to u.s.
"He said no more at the time; he
was too much concerned about my In
Jury. made an effort to rise. but II
was not very successful However.
with Bert's assistance got Oh to my
feet. took no thought as to bruises
or broken bones or internal Injuries. }
was Mortified ut my secret being out
and the manner Of its exposure. My
head was hung while my companion
was trying to get some OF the dirt on
my clothes. mt the same time looking
mt me with anxiety.
"'Does your mother know-it? !
managed to get out with difficulty.
"'No.'
81 was getting faint again. and he
supported me in his arms.
81 suppose this ends all the pleas
ant friendship
"'Yes, II does. on my part, and he
kissed me.
"It is astonishing how far that kiss
tended to restore me.
How remained a few days longer
at the plantation. boy to every one
except Bert: how | got home. how
continued to keep my secret from
mamma and told 1t to papa. will tell
you when we meet Bert and | are en-
gagged. but are not to be married till
spring. Papa says he knew would
never get husband 10 the regular
way. Buff ever have daughter
and she is inclined to play such
pranks as have played Ill shut her
~ IN tue top of tower"
Navigation on the Usage.
One Of the very crookedest streams
anywhere Il the Usage river In Mis-
souri,. In that region they tell OF q
farmer living Oh the banks of that riv-
er who had small fatboat which one
day he loaded with produce and tloated
4 70 al 81 triln.. ounv Ua