Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1906 — ON A BRIDLE PATH [ARTICLE]

ON A BRIDLE PATH

[Copyright, 1905, by T. C. McClure.] Max Fenn pulled his horse Into a walk, and as Miss Dale also drew rein she turned to the young man with a smiling protest ~Really, we must hurry,~ she said Ttneasily. ~lt~s getting late.~ ~No,~ he said slowly; ~I can~t hurry. This last stretch means too much to me. It~s only two miles to the end." ~The end of the bridle path?~ she asked, with becoming Innocence. ~The end of the world,~ he said lugubriously. The girl~s face flushed. ~See here,~ said he. ~lf you knew a man who was about to be hanged you~d treat him the best you knew howgrant all his little foolish requests~ until the hanging, wouldn~t you?~ ~I suppose so,~ she admitted. ~Well.~ he went on, ~l~m about to undergo an ordeal beside which to be hanged is a luxury. In light of my unfortunate predicament, won~t you agree to walk the horses until we reach the city? You certainly don~t begrudge me those added few minutes?~ She eyed him narrowly. ~lf you~ll tell me what this ~unfortunate predicament~ of yours is. 1~1l agree to your request,~ said she.

“Done!” said he. “The unfortunate predicament lies in the fact that tomorrow you leave here—to go back home and forget all about me.” “Oh, no, I shan’t,” said she. “I shall always remember your kindness and—and these delightful rides.” “You’ll remember them as episodes, I presume?" he observed. “How else would you have me remember them?” said she. “As events,” he said with finality. She gmiled vaguely, and her eyes were turned from him. He put his horse close beside hers and leaned toward her in the saddle. “They have been events to me,” he said earnestly. She flicked her riding skirt with the crop, but said nothing. “These rides have taken me into a new and beautiful country,” he said in a low voice, “a country so beautiful that the thought of leaving it is more than I can bear.” “We shall be very late getting home. I’m afraid they’ll worry about me.” Fenn’s head went back. /His face suddenly took on harsh lines. “Let us gallop the rest of the way, then,” he said quietly and touched the spurs to his horse. They flew along the bridle path in the gathering dusk, Fenn sitting in the saddle very straight and silent and the girl watching him covertly from the corners of her eyes. Presently the bridle path ended on the summit of a little hill. Below them lay a city of twinkling lights. The girl brought her horse to a dead stop, and Fenn did likewise. “You mustn’t be angry,” she said very gently. “I’m not,” said he.

“You think, probably”— she began, but Fenn interrupted her. “I think you’re one of those things opportunitj' makes.” She looked at him perplexedly. “A thief,” said Fenn. “A what?” she gasped. "Thief,” he repeated calmly. “You've stolen my choicest possession,” "And that?” she asked. "My heart,” said he. "1 wasn't aware you had one,” she retorted in a mocking tone. "Neither was I until I saw it in your possession.” said he. “Then I realized fully my loss.” "Is it so very lamentable?” she asked laughingly. — “Very,” said he. “Then, of course, you want it back?” “I certainly do,” said he. She smiled and held out her hand to him as if the heart rested in the upturned palm. "But-1 also want you to keep it,” he said. She frowned. "Here's a paradox for you.” she cried. “I’m to give it back, but I'm also to keep it!” “I want you to possess the heart,” he began, "but I want to possess you.” She looked at him long and earnestly . Her eyes sought the ground. She drew her horse a few paces away. “Well, that’s not such an impossible paradox, after all,” she said. Then she galloped down toward the city of twinkling lights, with the radiant Fenn in hot pursuit FOHBES DWIGHT.