Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-12-25


the back seat was Simon Jefferson
whose hairy hand gripped a halter
fastened to a riderless horse; the very
horse which should have been between
the shafts of the Gregory buggy.
Miss Sapphire stared at Abbott,
s~peechless. So this is what he had
meant by wanting the air unstrained
by window-screens. Studying, indeed!
Abbott, in his turn, stared speuchless-
ly at the led horse.
Bob Clinton drew rein, and grasped
his h~ay-colored mustache, inadequate
to the situation. He glanced ~reproach-
fully at Abbott; the young fellow must
know that his fate was to be decided
this very night.
Abbott could not take his fill of the
sight of Simon Jefferson whom he had
fancied not far away, eyes glued on
cork, hands in pockets to escape mos
quitoes, sun on back, ~serenely fishing.
He had supposed the horse grazing
near by, enjoying semi-freedom with
his grass. Now it seemed far other
wise. Miss Sapphire had even had
him telephone Bob to bring her hither.
With his own hands he had dug his
pitfall.
Fran, suddenly aware of her ridicu-
lous attitude, sat down and began to
laugh.
Bob Clinton inquired: Taking a
drive, abb"
Miss Sapphire set her heavy foot
upon her brothers unseemly ocular
ity. Unfortunately" said Miss Sap
phira, speaking with cold civility:
Mr.. Jefferson had to come clear to
town before he could recapture the
horse. We were giving him a lift, and
had no idea-no idea that we should
tind-should come upon We are
sorry to intrude." Had her life de-
pended on it, Miss Sapphire could not
have withheld a final touch-"Pos-
sibly you were not looking for Mr.. JEFF
ferson to come back SO soon."
why" answered Abbott, stepping
to the ground, hardly SO soon" At
any rate, he felt that nothing was to
be gained by staying in the buggy. rs
that the horse that belongs to this
buggy? Let me hitch it up, Mr.. Simon"
"This has been a terrible experience
for me-" growled Simon. All the same,
he let Abbott do the work, but mot as
If he meant to repay him with graft
tude.
What was the matter with your
horse, anyway" Abbott cheerfully in
quired.
Simon looked at him sourly. Didn't
Fran tell you that the horse got scared
at her throwing rocks at my cork,
and broke from the tree where I'd
fastened it, and bolted for town."
Mr.. Simon" said Fran %innocently,
Il don't believe the horse was men
toned once, while you were gone"
at would be interesting to know
what was,' remarked Robert with
humor so dry that apparently it choked
him; ne fell to coughing huskily.
Miss Sapphire gave him a look while
he was struggling in his second par
oxysm. 1t healed him by suggestion.
Turn said Miss Sapphira with be-
coming gravity. Robert, still under
the influence Of her thought-wave, sol
ernnly drove her from the cene.
When the last buckle was clasped-
Il came out here for a quiet peaceable
fishing" said Simon. I've spent my
time hunting horses, and being afraid
something might happen to Fran"
"Mr. Ashton took care of me-" Fran
said reassuringly.
Simon cried exDlosively, "And who
took care of him." He climbed in be-
side Fran and be~grudgingly offered Abb
bott the imaginary space of a third
occupant; but Abbott declared his
preference for strolling.
"This has been a hard day for my
heart" Simon grumbled, as he
snatched up the whip vindictively.
The buggy rolled away,
Mine, too" Abbott called after them
emphatically.
Fran looked back at him, from over
the lowered top. He saw her hand 20
to her bosom, then something luttered
in the air and fell in the grassy road.
He darted after it as If it were a clue.
showing the way to the princess GAG.
tie.
Perhaps it was. He pounced upon
! tit was the queen of hearts.