The Glenwood post., 1922-04-20
C6SW76HT'

Grand Prairie lay ahead of them. The
settlement of Plains End was twenty
one miles away on Its farther side.
They could just see its tall oak trees
in the dim distance.
1--WE must hurry If we get there
before dark" said the girl. above
all, we must be careful to keep our
direction. It's easy TO get lost down
in the great prairie"
They heard cat-bird singing in
a near thicket as they left their camp.
1t reminded BIN of her favorite bal
lad and she sang ii with the spirit Of
old:
MY sweetheart. come along
Don't you hear the glad song
AS the notes of the nightingale fowl
Don't you hear the fond tale Of the
sweet nightingale
As she sings in the valleys below7
As she sings In the valleys below?"
They went on, shoulder-deep in the
tall grass on the lower stretches Of
the prairie. Here and there 1t gave
Harry the impression that he was
swimming his horse in "noisy. vivid
green water" They startled a herd
Of deer and a number Of wild horses.
When they lost sight Of the woods
at Plains End the young man, with
his cavalry training, was able to ride
standing on his saddle until he had It
located.
1t reminded him of riding in the
Everglades and he told of his adven-
tures there as they went on, but very
modestly. He said not a word Of his
heroic fight the day that he and sixty
Of his comrades were cut off and sur
rounded in the "land of the grassy
waters" But BIN had heard the story
from other lips.
Late in the afternoon the woods
lootned In front of them, scarcely
mile Off Near the end of the prairie
they came to road which led them
past the door of lonely cabin. 1t
seemed to be deserted, but its Win
dows were clean and faint column
OF smoke rose from Its chimney. There
were hOllyhocks and sunfiowers In its
small and clcanly dooryard. A morn
ing-glory vine had been trained around
the windows.
"Broad creek is just beyond" said
BIN. 81 don't know how the crossing
will be"
They came presently to the creek.
Unexpectedly swollen. A man stood
on the farther shore with some seventy
feet of deep and rapid water between
him and the travellers.
"That man looks like Stephen
Nuckles," said Harry.
at Is Stephen Nuckles," BIN an
swered
"Howdy, Steve!" the young soldier
called
"Howdy. boy" said the old minis
ter. THAT ar creek Is b'ilin' ever. l
reckon you'll have to swim the hosses."
They tried. but Bins horse refused
to 20 beyond good footing.
You kin light at that ar house an
spend the night, but the folks have
gone erway,' the minister called.
81 guess you'll have to marry us
right here and now" Harry proposed.
"Night is coming and that house Is
our only refuge"
poor boy There seems to be no
escape for yOul" BIN exclaimed with
sigh. 'Do you really and honestly
want to marry me? II there's any
doubt about 1t I'll leave the horses
with you and swim the creek. You
could put them In the barn and swim
with me or spend the night In the
cabin"
ITS a cool evening and the creek
10 very wet" he answered. I'm go
ing to take this matter In my own
hands"
He called to the minister. Steve,
this is the luckiest moment Of my life
asd you are just, the man OF all others
I would have chosen for Its most I'm
portant job. Can you stnnd right
where you are and marry usr'
"You bet, kin. suh,' the minister
answered. i've often said could
marry any one half 4 mile erway II
they would only talk as loud as I kin.
I've got the good book right here In
my pocket. sub. My Oh woman ID
comm. She'll be hyah in q minute
Ter to witness the perceedin's."
Mrs. Nuckles made her appearance
On the river bank In 4 short time.
Then the minister shouted: We'll
begin by readin' the nineteenth chap
ter Of Matthew"
He shouted the chapter and the u.s.
usl queries, knelt and prayed and pro-
bounced them man and wife.
The young man and woman walked
to the cabin and put their horses In
its barn. where they found an abun
dance Of hay and oats. They rnppc>
At the cabin door, hut got no response
THEY lifted its latch and entered.
A table stood In the middle OF ~.