Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-03-13

rumbied with loosened screw of the
Ichair-arm. The girl gazed out across
the wide bottoms TO the river. The
preacher took out his handkerchief;
nervously brushed away speck of
dust from his coat sleeve: put II back.
Brownie" the girl repeated after a
time, her eyes turning back from the
river to the piously pensive face OF
the preacher, would y'u care T. see
err"
ut would give me the greatest pleas
ure." was his answer, in the studied
and faultless though somewhat stilted
diction of the period.
y could talk y'u t death about 'er."
Il should die happy" he answered.
The girl was so artless and I'M
spoiled that the flattery, trite as 1t
was, half pleased her. The native
eneerfulness, subdued for Q moment
by thoughts of her hapless brother,
frightened again in her eyes. She
threw her arm about her father.
dragged him up out Of the chair and
led the way to the barn.
Brownie, Seanaiful dark sorrel,
with single small patch OF white In
her forehead, hearing the girls voice.
came trotting up out Of the pasture
iot--the same through which Jack had
trailed the unknown prowler the night
before. A tall, clean-limbed gelding,
bright bay, with one white hind foot.
followed her almost up to the gate,
where he stood back and half jealous
iy watched the girl caress his mate.
"Come, Rex" the girl called, reach
ing out her hand and coaxing the tall
bay. But the horse kept his distance.
1t was only after the two men had
drawn back few steps that he came
up to the gate and put his nose against
her face,
"Do you ride, Mr.. Hopkins7" she
called over her shoulder.
mot especially WE'LL" he answered,
though / do like good horse. You
ride, of courseT
Everybody rides in the Flatwoods
you must learn"
IVY, yes" chimed in the old BANK
er, there's Rex jIst sp'ilin' FIR work,
now that | don't ride any more sence
these blasted fainty spells got t com
In. Theirs nothin' t bender y'u from
takin' ride every day. reckon
we've still got my saddle an things,
amt we, daughter"
saddle and bride and ALL" she an.
swered. "And 1t will be such pleas
ure," she went on, turning to the
young preacher, IT show y'u around
over QUA beautiful Flatwoods.'
with such a guide. l am impatient
to 60 the earliest moment possible, +"
the preacher exclaimed effusively,
this fternoon-now--if you will
The girl glanced at her father.
"Why not?' he nodded.
~ don't like to leave-you."
The old man tossed up his hand and
Iaughed--a ragpy sort of laugh-all
that the years had left him.
The girl turned back to the preacher.
"W'y, yes--if yon wish" she said
only you must promise not t run
faster than Brownie"
The preacher turned to look again
at the tall bay. standing few feet
back from the gate, where he had
withdrawn step by step as the minis
ter advanced
"He certainly appears to possess
great speed"
Speed the old banker repeated. a
note In his voice common TO the throat
~ eferJ man III The tlatwoods when
speaking Of his horse or dog, next T.
Jacks Graylock at tie homestead yon-
der. he's the fastest in the Fiat
woods
"Graylock - Warhope1 = the tired
eyes pincLed together thouehtfully-
"a remarkable Young man"
Scarce rs hens teeth. his breed" "
the old man returned warmly. I'm
doubtin if Tiers anybody along The
Wabash that knows the woods like he