The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-10

MISS Susie Indignantly repudiated the idea,
but she could not persuade the family. The
thought OF a frog big as man was far too
much Tor them. For two nights Miss Susie
did not see the frog. But there is long,
beautiful road which stretches out from Foun-
tain Springs. and along this 1t was her habit
to ride. Three days after the last appear
ance OF the frog Oh the lawn. she went can
tering along this road She had ridden a
couple OF miles and was passing by a clear
ing. All at once her horse stopped and be-
gan TO tremble. Miss Susie looked over his
head. There. squatted in the road. perhaps
twenty yards away. was the frog II was
enormous, and as she watched. horror strick,
en-. II raised itself and began to dance
The horse turned, and bolted back for
home
Miss Susie, almost fainting from fright.
dropped from It's back before the house and
went lettering in to her mother
That night there family council
While Colonel Warner still could not bring
himself to believe In frog SO big, his dauzh.
ters fright shook him
IN get two CT three people and will
follow you quietly he said. GO out riding
tomorrow. but ride slowly. We will creep
along in the covert and SEQ whether We can
see anything
suspicion began to form in Miss Susie's
mind. 1t seemed ahsurd-and yet she could
not help connecting young Mr.. Meredith
WITH these apparitions of an unbelievably
big frog. and yet she felt 1t was so absurd
that she didn't want TO tell her father about
II and maybe get Jimmy into ridiculous trou.
Bile Nevertheless, that evening she sent over
fer Mr. Meredith
Have you decided TO marry me?" he ask.
ed as soon as he arrived.
Miss Susie spared.
Let's hear You do that dog fight again"
Mr. Meredith rendered the fight with art
and precision.
Can You initiate frog fght?" asked Miss
Susie innocently. But Jimmy the trap
and didn't fall into 1t.
That's the one thing never learned to
initiate"
The next day. followed quietly by her faith.
er and small posse, Miss Susie rode over the
Walden Road She slowed up at the clear
ing. From the clearing where the frog had
appeared before there came a prodgous
croak Miss Susie, confirmed now in her
picions, and fortified by tho thought of strong
men close behind her. jumped from her horse
and walked rapidly toward the roadside.
AS she did so. out jumped again the mys-
ferrous frog. Its appearance formid-
able. it locked so real. that the girl screamed
with fright and seemed about to faint. The
frog gave prodigious leap and caught her
In Its arms. A human voice issued from the
frog. saying, Don't be frightened It's only
me, Jimmy Meredith never meant to
brighten you this way"
And just then. pistols drawn, Colonel War
ner and his men came to the rescue. Miss
susie saw them out Of a corner OF her eye.
Don't shoot, father" she cried; ITS onIv
Jimmy Meredith. l think he is going plumb
crazy"
The men fell upon the frog and 10, It was
made of PAPER mache They ripped 1t open,
and within 1t. scared stiff, was young Mr..
Jimmy.
you scoundrel," shouted the Colonel "I'ye
a, mind to shoot you where you stand What
do you mean by frightening my daughter so?p
Il did it because loved her." stammered
young Jimmy, "and thought could fright.
en- her into marrying me- But never meant
to frighten her as bad as this didn't nm
derstand what was doing"
The matter is now in court but is is likely
to be settled by young Mr.. Meredith promis.
Ing to leave for a protracted trip abroad.