Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-12-26

MISS Sapphire and Bob Clinton. Or
the back seat was Simon Jefferson
whose hairy hand gripped a halter
fastened to riderless horse; the very
morse which should have been between
the shafts of the Gregory buggy
Miss Sapphire stared at Abbott
speeches.. So this is what he had
meant by wanting the air unstrained
by window-screens. Studying, indeed !
Abbott, in his turn, stared spe,,chless-
ly at the led horse.
Bob Clinton drew rein. and grasped
his hay-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
drive, abb"
Miss Sapphire set her heavy foot
upon her brothers unseemIy ocular
ity. Unfortunately" said Miss Sap
phira, speaking with cold civiiity:
Mr.. Jefferson had to come clear to
town before he could recapture the
horse. We were giving him lift, and
had no idea-no idea that we should
hnd-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 |
ierson to come back SO soon"
Why" answered Abbott, stepping
10 the ground, hardly so SOON" At
any rate, he felt that nothing was to
be gained by staying in the buggy. "Is
hat the horse that belongs to this
buggy? Let me hitch it up, Mr.. Simon"
This has been terrible experience
or me-" growled Simon. All the same.
ne let Abbott do the work, but not as
I he meant to repay him with graft
ude.
|
What was the matter with your
lorse, anyway" Abbott cheerfuIly in
luired.
Simon looked at him sourly. Didn't
ran tell you that the horse got scared
t her throwing rocks at my cork,
nd broke from the tree where I'd
astened it, and bolted for town"
Mr.. Simon" said Fran innocently.
l don't believe the horse was men,
Toned once. while you were gone"
1t would be interesting to know
hat was" remarked Robert with
umor so dry that apparently it choked
i'm; he fell to coughing huskily.
Miss Sapphire gave him a look while
e was struggling in his second par .
xysm. 1t healed him by suggestion.
Turn" said Miss Sapphire with be-
oming gravity. Robert, still under
he influence OF her thought-wave. SOL
nnly drove her from the scene.
When the last buckle was clasped-
came out here for quiet peaceable
shing," said Simon. 1--WE spent NV :
me hunting horses, and being afraid
might happen to Fran"
Mr.. Ashton took care of me-" Fran
I'D reassuringly. :
Simon cried explosively, And who =
ok care Of him?" He climbed in he :
de Fran and begrudgingly offered Alb =
ut the imaginary space of a third
but Abbott declared his
'eference for strolling.
This has been a hard day for NV 4.
art" Simon grumbled. as he :,
atched up the whip vindictively.
The buggy rolled away.
Mine, too" Abbott called after them -
nphatically.
Fran looked back at him, from ever -
e lowered top. He saw her hand 90 =
her bosom, then something futtered a,
the air and fell in the grassy road -
darted after II as II it were a cline
owing tie way to the princess cas-. r.
po,,,,. "
rerhaps 1t was. He bounced upon
1t was the queen of hearts. a,