The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-01-21
ACROSS THE BROOK
By mAcklE.

= ~ S6N0s0oN mVOsNsSs -
"Oh, wait q moment, MI. Winters"
Grace called. Il want to tell you
s~omething-a very special friend OF
ours is coming on this afternoons
train. viii you take me to meet him.
please?"
Certainly. "A man, I suppose!"
She nodded. mi. Carver-you will
like Horace immensely" she said en-.
Enthusiastically.
Il don't suppose you'll have time
to take any more rides in the little
red car" he said glumly.
I'm afraid I won't have much
time," she admitted. "You have been
30 kind-and given me SO many de.
lightful excursions in the car. / shall
always remember the dear little red
car" she smiled.
Long after you've forgotten the
owner?" he asked quizzically, as he
strobe away.
She called after him to tell him that
Horace Carver was coming on the
$40 train. He nodded grimly and
went on his way.
Grace watched him, q fine, upstand.
Ing young man, q successful farmer,
a power in the village. q nan with q
future ahead Of him. people predicted.
If he were only our Sort" thought
Grace, remembering Horace Carver
and his social prestige. She had often
wondered why her plain, practical
parents criticized the indolent Horace
and his pleasure-seeking life. Only
last night Mr.. Pitt had declared that
the girl who married young Winters
would be mighty lucky.
She amused herself with this
thought and then, finding that it was
not unpleasant to consider, dismissed
It in a panic of fear.
Ferd's little red ear was at the door.
But the little red a seemed reluctant
to meet Horace Carver and by the
time Ferd had coaxed it up to the rail-
road station the 4:10 train had come
and gone and the station agent report
ed that the solitary arrival had
crossed the road and taken the short
cut through the woods to Mapleshade
farm.
I'VE will overtake him on the wood
road" said Ferd confidently.
The wood road wound through miles
Of oak trees. Thunder rumbled omin-
ously, the sun darkened and was hid
den from view and warm drops of rain
battered On the leaves.
I'VE can reach the top Of the hill
and run home across the PASTURE"
called Ferd above the pattering rain.
What shall we do with the carr"
shivered Grace. She was afraid Of
the sharp lightning flashes.
leave 1t up at the top Of the hill.
I'll spread a rubber blanket Y It,"
"Poor Horace" sighed Grace. I'm
afraid he will get awfully wet"
HE won't mind that" treasured
Ferd carelessly.
Grace wondered IL Horace would
mind. She knew he would; he was
very particular about his clothes.
She liked to see q man fussy about
clothes, although Ferd wore his we'll
fitting garments with q careless un-
concern that was vastly becoming. +.
why am I always comparing these
two men?" she asked herself indig-
nantly. Il expect to marry Horace
some day-oh, 10 It time to leave
the carl" she asked as Ferd stopped
the machine and got out.
Eyes. Let me help you put this
dust coat on. There you are!" He
covered the little car with . rubber
blanket, and. together they hurried
down the hillside through the driving
rain. -
When they reached the brook, Hor.
ace Carver stood there hesitating.
This 10 certainly . long way from
civilization" he muttered, gripping
his suit case and hatbox with drip
ping fingers.
why didn't you waltz" asked
Grace. I'VE were on the way to
meet you when the q became"
Every balky.". finished Ferd crisply.
"And now, Mr.. Carver, We have to
cross the brook to get home-the
sooner we get there the more com.
Portable we shall be"
-"Cross the brook-how?" demanded
Horace, glancing across the fifteen.
foot space.
swade-or I'll carry you over" pro.
posed Ferd.
you'd better carry me-In get
pretty wet the other way" agreed
Horace, and he permitted Ferd to take
him on his shoulders and convey him
across the stream. Z
Ferd made another trip with the
suit case and hatbox and then went
back to Grace. looking rosy and moist
with tho rain.
VII IT, ---2V1