PAGES 9 TO 12. PAGES O XO 12. LOS ANGELES HERALD. VOL. 35.?N0. 72. THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 25, 1890?TWELVE PAGES. FIVE CENTS.

"But Ihardly think" that "mute converse of kindred souls," Our metropolis was alive with excite- Over the back seat I tumbled, and, as me to drive in reality? Was Ito guide "And Icertainly know. Come! Bet's and Tom Jones apparently sympathized ment?like the classic city of Stoke- two paira of heels threw a blindingshower that chained thunderbolt and that kick- crazy to go, and says she depends on you with me most completely. Bettie and he Pogis, it was "agitated to its center." of snow and icicles into my eyes aud ing demon before me? Yes; Tom Jones CROSS PURPOSES to persuade Uncle Bob the horses are were fast friends, and Mayor Blythe per- Tho sudden furor for sleighing, added down my back, Iwent headforemost into evidently meant that. He had gone sud- quiet." mitted her to go anywhere under protec- to tho inevi cable buzz of holiday prepa- tho folds of the buffalo. denly mad, beyond a doubt; but I was "Miss Bettiedoes?" Ihesitated. There tion of "Cousin Tom," in whom he placed ration, drove the usually quiet popula- Before the conglomerate mass of valise in for it, and what man dared I must. ft Experience Id was a lump in my throat and a singing unbounded confidence. During the burn- tion into a fever of action. Every avail- and man was righted, we were off np I took a long breath, let the whip fall Gliristmas in my ears; Iwas dcucedly afraid of the ing days of that August many a charm- able sleigh, however old, was rooted the road in a full run, the sleigh jump- well back ont of the gray's sight, and, Seven Gnapters. mad beasts myself, but then she wantec ing picn'" had we in the grand old woods from its hidingplate; horses accustomed ing along like a football and Tom plying bracing my every innsole firmly, uttered to go, so Iadded: "Well, perhaps after about Pike ton; in the mellow evenings of only to the plow and the market wagon his whip like mad, keeping them at a the mystic monosyllable, "G'lang!" all they may bo n little quieter soon. autumn many a never to be forgotten pricked up their ears to the unwonted full run while he yet had them well in It cut liko a knife through the clear By T. 0. DE LEON, And, Tom, you do?ah?really think sail on tho little mirror of a lake. And hi-g' lang! of excited drivers, and even hand. atmosphere, and the keen echo almost them safe?" what teas were those on the old veran- crockery crates and dry goods boxes "W-what do y-ou me-mean?" Igasped, divided my tympana. The sorrel heard. Author of Creole and Puritan," "Tlu "Certainly I do, and Bet does, too. da, with the soft breeze sighing through were put upon extemporized runners. bumping about the back seat in huge He stretched himself, gathered and made Rock or"the Rye," "Four Years She., not a bit afraid." That decided me. the vinos in sympathy with the beatings AllPiketon, swathed in furs or blank- discomfort, aa the biting wind, rushing a merry plunge forward; but that per- in Rebel Capitals," etc. "Tom Jones"?l spoke with deep solem- of my heart, and the lightjustundecided ets, was bundled into something that down my throat with tho force of a verse brute of a gray only stuck his nity. Iknew that moment what the}' enough for me to imagine any expres- would slide; the road to the "Bull's norther, nearly strangled me. "Wh-hy forelegs in the snow and sat down like l'elt who Saw tho trj.rnbrilready to bear sion in her face that best suited my ar- Eye"?the sedate drovers' tavern five don't you st-opp-'m?" a dog. Luckily, Miss Bettie managed to \u25a0JCopyrifrht by the Author. All rißhta roserrecl. them to the hungry knife of tho first dent longings! Later, when tho early miles out?was resonant with the merry "All right, my boy," Tom answered hold her father by such a string of prat- CHAPTER L revolution?"Tom Jones, I will go, of snows began to fall, how merry were music of their bells and tho rollicking cheerily through his set teeth; and he tle he noticed none of these circus like But, Tom, love's young dream. course. pray do not use that those sleigh rides in the mayor's sober laughter of their occupants, while its braced every muscle afresh while the proceedings. horrid abbreviation of your cousin's familysleigh, drawn by tho sober family primitive bar room and sanded parlor cruel lash descended on the flagging "Mind, papa! don't forgot the flannel name. There some too are subjects horse, Tom always acting Jehu! And were alike crowded from nipping morn horses. "All right! you know I must for old Mammy Watts; and be sure to sacred for the profanation of slangy con- when the icier breath of winter blew to frosty eve. bring 'em in quiet for Uncle Bob to see. send tho pickles to Bowser; and have densation, and yourcousin's name is" over the little lake, sheeting it with a And how delicious is a sleigh ride So, lads, so-o-o! now steady!" One long the presents on the Christmas tree, just "Bully! You'llgo then?" interrupted surface glassy smooth, I had tenderly when all surroundings are propitious! sway of his broad back brought them as if I at horne ?that's dear the irrepressible Boomerang. was a papa. "TO wheel strapped tho tinyskate thong round that Who that has ever wintered in a snow down to a canter, then into a swinging And, oh, be sure that Liza does the tur- 'em round the block and bring 'em in ravishingly turned ankle?had held the trot, and turning into the mayor's lane, cool, you?Bet." country but has a store of ready recol- key to a turn for dinner to-morrow I" taper fingers in mine as we glided in that spring up at the first sound we drew up at the door. "That have been He bounded down the stairs, sprang lections was to your dinner," swift circles over its cold bosom. As I of the bells? Be ho a serious, well round- "There! hold the ribbons! Iwon't be the old gentleman said, turning to me. into the sleigh, seized the reins, and, as have said, Tom was always with us on ed bachelor of their lively gone a second. Bet's ready, I know;" the men jumped from tho horses' heads, 50 jarshakes "That pleasure I must defer to please these jaunts; but we were a partie car- the cumulate dust from still crevices of and, forcing the reins into my reluctant this small puss with her whims." was off with a flurry of snow and a out ree and mindful of the philosophy as to memory, and long slumbering remin- hands, Tom sprang and disappeared The mayor seemed to me a great dis- hurrah from tho crowd. what constitutes "company" and what a iscences, in the doorway. I not dab at the classics, Iwill unrolling themselves like mar- tance off. His words came to me through am a so "crowd." spring, crawl to New, after all my tirade about racing not say how, having plunged like Cur- mots in the out bask in a sound in my ears like the boom of tho Anna Bolton was ever Tom's compan- the sunlight of that long ago. Perhaps and sleighing and such stuff, one might sea, for that cursed gray still 6at like a tius into this gapipg sleigh ride, Inow ion. A quiet, fair haired, sensitive they find gleam but deceptive reasonably suppose me a very Phaeton, sat like Mariua, amid the ruins of my the a circus horse, and the sorrel pulled tillhis mouse of a blonde, she was tho direct one now, and, after blinking at the or at least a Hiram Woodruff. But I nose almost touched the wardrobe. But I did tumblo all its con- antipode in all things of ally, snow. tier sworn present for a while, creep back again was always strong in theories and ?in papa!" tents into the middle of tho floor and Bettie, under whose fostering protection confidence: that "And, oh, cried Miss Bettie with and Curl themselves up fora longer nap. stuff was all talk?pure timely then sat among them, hopeless of cram- 6he would nestlo confidingly though imagination. Practically, 1 a little scream of recollection, as never was "now don't forget rod ming into my 6mall valiso half enough no harm could reach her there. the least bit horsey in my and al- the wrapper for old "Bully! You'll rfo then?" interrupted the tastes, Patience?that's dear!" for this all important Xmas visit! But She was solo heiress sole compan- ways hated to drive unless I knew a irrepressible Boomerang. and my "Give that gray devil whip," she wanted to go! I was to risk my ion at her splendid residence, "Shady- beast to be perfectly harmless. In fact, the "Come along, old boy! I'vo fixed itat ?by Jones growled to me in savage whis- neck for her sake her side. Delicious nook," of a very deaf but Argus eyed ever felt a tingle of brotherly sym- a last." thought! just again I per, rounded off with something very so as the bells grandaunt. Ununited herself for the pathy for that bard of Cockaigne who Thus cried Lieut. Tom Jones, U. S. A., jingledat the I jumped upon my like an oath. "You'llhave all the fat in bounding into my room in bis usual hop- door fullallotment of the human span, the sang: distended portmanteau, sprung the lock, Miss Belton the fire with such driving." Bkip-and-jump style, and causing there- senior had small confidence There's something In a horse Give him the whip! by deep gash in both the chins reflect- and answered Tom with a yellas wild in tho taste or honor of tho sterner sex. That I can always honor, but never can indorse. a as his own. Neither I thought before Tom Jones of the in the cracked shaving glass of my She jealously watched the every move- was Iambitious of the fate of ed Now, perhaps I should explain that Phaeton; fixed Boomerangs had gone crazy. Now I bachelor lodgings. ment of her niece, religiously believing so, keeping one eye on knew, like Tom Jones and I had always been claims. that eaich man who set his eye upon her the gray's ears and the other on the all maniacs, he believed me "Iratherthink yon have," Iresponded, as stark, staring mad as he was. savagely, Residents of the same villageand chil- fragile form used it but ;is a medium sorrel's heels, I went hand over hand up half as Imopped my bleeding "And, papa, dear, don't forget the feature piece of blotting dren ofintimate friends, we had thumbed through which to cast unholy glances at the taut reins until Ifelt safe to straddle with a paper? algebra, brandy peaches for Dr. Lindsey?your "I rather think you have; but what in the same robbed the same or- the estate ?some ten miles back of Pike- the front seat, and finallybrace myself chards and been flogged by the same ton?whose exponent she But the against the dasher. The gray still kept present, remember," ran on that dear the world have you fixed, besides my was. voice. Then it punctured through all chin?" pedagogue. In fact, we had never been home of the spinster had no great charms his head out and bore steadily on the two weeks apart until his appointment bit, but the sorrel seemed have had my fear with the words, "Now do go on, "Oh, bother your bleeding! Just for her heiress unless brightened by tho to please." to West Point, fivo years before, had presence of her stronger friend and ally; enough go in the late scamper and listen: I've borrowed the major's gray Twice I cssai/cd to lonh around at Whether the electric spark that and the surgeon's 'Jalap,' done Uncle separated us. Tom's persevering industry so, when Bettie could not be spared couple t!u pulled dead against him. Congratu- in running bounds "Cozzens," and his behind me. lating myself that thrilled through me at that whisper Bob out of his double sleigh, and we'll to from her household gods, it was great No acrid and hopeless spinster the doctor's horse assiduous of "Benny Havens," had quiet walk-l- acted counter ran down the reins and magnetized the drive over to Shadyuook and spend course comfort to little Anna to sit under -ingregretfully on the shadowy 6ide of as a irritant on the scarcely been thoroughly rewarded, for these also, and to stay there meekly so drawing propensities of his mate, Ibe- gray, Inever knew. Somehow we were Christmas. Hurrah!" And Lieut. Tom maidenhood but straightens her back, in the road, the dasher full of and Jones, U. S. Boomerangs, round his graduation?third in his class count- long as Bettie could alternately cajole or gan to be less entirely miserable in my :iow, spun drops her shoulders and smoothes out that devil's team going at a wild stroke my room as if he had just been pro- ingfrom the bottom ?made him a brevet coerce the deaf spinster into permitting. her wrinkles the music new position. I tucked the buffalo care- second lientenant in unwinking as of the bells fully my legs, by that sent acute agony to the marrow of moted to the first corps of the "Black tho United States But that ancient and Cerbe- variations half forgotten round and the time Boomerangs. It had plays on a Miss Bettie's laugh rang my every bone. Crook." I looked at him until he re- found me a dignified rus liad carefullyreconnoitered the sur- theme of cozy sleigh and comfortable out from the but patient lawyer in the incipient me- roundings of the mayoralty. She doorway. Iactually plucked up spirit to ?'Splendid! Perfect! Bravo!" shout- gained a pose on the back of my arm- had wrappers, all winding up with a crash- ed Tom chair, with his feet the cushion. Then tropolis of Piketon. Happy chance had long since concluded that I was the turn one eye upon her. But the other from the back seat. "Your on ingcrescendo of hot oysters and merry start was a picture; and that into Isaid gravely?the tone was meant to thrown Tom at the arsenal near by, and property of tho lady of the house, and reel. was fixed on the gray's ears like the optic run had his chosen friend to the Tom, being only piece live of the ancient mariner, even 1 the driftand barking the pear tree don't convey the most crushing sarcasm: introduced a of furni- And to those young hearts, suscepti- while "Slicer's Jalap and the major's gray?" family circle of his Uncle Blythe. ture, like tho Cat, was not to,be counted. nodded with a dismal affectation of jol- count, as the bend hid them from Uncle ble to frolic as to sentiment and throb- Bob." "Certainly?why not?" There I soon became ami de maison. So little Anna's last visit had been al- bing for changing lity. And Mayor Blythe was saying: Mayor Blythe?he was the revered chief lowed into over excitement, what "And you're quite they safe, Ithought madly I heard gurgling "Why not? Because, firstly, the gray to run months. She could a delicious bound itsends! sure are a never was in traces in his life; secondly, magistrate of Piketon?was a brother skate well, for all her fragility, and her are you?" sound of female laughter. I was wrong, Oh, the bells, sleighing bells. "Gentle lambs, though, for that because the sorrel never would go in lawyer, and a man of high social and taste aud touch in music were both deli- What a world of merriment their melody fore- as sir, as far as I second she said to me: double harness, you know." literary renown. Ho had a capitally cate but decided. So, after all, we made tells. know," Tom answered, simply. "But "You do drive splendidly, indeed. "Yes, Iknow. But, then, they're both chosen library, a warm heart, a cele- her useful, though I felt compunctious Yes, sleighing is glorious. "Tis the ask the man that handles 'em. He drove And how good of you to rest Tom's old enough to begin; so come, old fellow, brated cook and a rare assortment of twinges when Ireflected how heavy on next best thing to flying to sit in the them from the stable." Had that young arms! Poor Tom! why, how the reins pack your traps. 11l give the ponies a such wines! And then?hem!?like Jeph- hand she must be to poor Tom; for, be- light, strong cutter and glide over the officer been studying the "Beady Liar, have cut your hands!" whirl down the road to keep 'em quiet thah of old, he had "one fair daughter sides all other reasons, it was an under- smooth surface without noise or jar, or Perjurer's Companion"? "My arm is stiff as a poker. Bet. and use 'em to the bells. Hurry; I'llbe and no more." stood thing among us that Miss Belton seeming scarce to touch it. Your glossy "Why, you can see they are, papa, Ah, baby, that's delicious!" before 'Jack Robinson!' But such a daughter! was engaged. Ifnot formally contract- black, catching the livelyinspiration of dear. Icould drive them myself, couldn't Had Ibeen driving the horses of the back you say Sun, 7 6tared at my friend to sco if he was" Bettie Blythe was just turned of 19, ed to him she was so far committed to a his bells, shakes his head in huge frolic, I?" and Miss Bettie's eyes were turned with the pit of Acheron gaping be- really in earnest before Ireplied: and tho most perfect mold of female form certain Mr. Goldwin as to make that stretches out afresh and spurns the snow on me. fore me, 1 must have turned at that "Tom Jones, do I like a lunatic? divine. Of medium height, just plump consummation a mere matter of time. in lighter wreaths from his ever quick- When Tom had spoken, my inmost exclamation. There was misery in my look spine legs, Have you any reason to justifybelieving enough for perfection ofrounded outline, Not a very enticing person was Mr. ening heels. Now fora brush! See that soul was torn with a burning desire to and torture in my but I did me a fitsubject for the padded room? My and with the tiniest models of feet and Goldwin, CO in years and money grub yellow jumper just ahead. Hu-y-a-ah! do my dnty, to throw myself upon the turn a little. Tom had pulled off his dear boy," Iadded gently, neck is far hands that ever fell to the lot of woman, in nature, but?as the senior Miss Bel- and the reins tighten, the clean head mayor's breast and pour out my passion- gauntlet, and she?yes, she was chafing "my his too valuable to my country torisk break- her face was still her chiefest charm. ton was wont to say grimh-?if not a goes straighter out, the snow wreaths fly ate belief that it was felony, wilfulmur- purple, uglyhand between two be- ing it for the sake of breaking old She- Not regularly beautiful, with scarce a brilliant man, he was at least a safe one. higher behind the strong hoofs. Wo der, suicide, to go! Now, had the reply witching fur gloves! still jeopardized er's sorrel and 3-our uncle's sleigh." feature in it that would have been pro- Twenty thousand a year was his allot- are off! We closo the gap?the yellow my immortal part for all "See what a good cousin Iam!" The "Why, they're at the door now?just nounced fineunder critical .analysis, there ment of this world's goods, and the very sleigh gains once more?a length, two! eternity. I could not have answered that black eyes danced before me, and once look at 'em," responded the lieutenant, was yet an indescribable witchery in soul of the spinster swelled within her Once more we closo and flyalong neck gurgling voice, thrilling through me more the musical laugh trilled out beau- walking to tho window. "They're as that face, orin the character reflected by when she reflected what that would do and neck! How the bells peal and like rich Burgundy, otherwise than by tiful and birdlike. With agony in my quiet as a pair of lambs. The sorrel has it, that bound me hand and foot from the for "Shadynook." shriek! How the horses race now as if saying: back and bitterness in my soul I tried only leg the pole, and the ser- first week Iknew her. Those rich, dark Yielding in all things, the white for their own honor! How the clear, "Gentle as kittens, Miss Bettie; hardly to echo it, but the hollow mockery one over fresh even, Mr. Blythe." And Ichuckled geant and my orderly can hold the gray's oval lines, with heavy bands of glossy mouse appeared to accept her fate in this keen wind wliistles past the fur tipped ended in a ghastly groan as the brutea head nearly still! Come! throw some hair, seemed to command, rather than with perfect composure, but she shrunk ears, exhilarating like huge bumpers of with rueful hilarity. Then that infernal gave an extra plunge that nearly carried things into a valise and bo ready by tho ask, a second look. And who could look with peculiar sensitiveness from any al- champagne, as we flyalong side by side gray, as ifin judgment, nearly took my me over the dasher. time Iget back." twice and forget? lusion to itby ono of us. So, of course, for three hundred yards! Just ahead shoulder out of the socket. The next twenty minutes were a Ithrew myself the sofa and stretch- There was a merry devil in her eye- none was ever made; but I?and I was looni3 a huge "pung" loaded down and "Iknew they were, papa, dear. He nightmare. Ihold in memory a vague on would risk with else; and, ed ont my comfortable slippers to the large, languid and black as sloe?that sure Tom as well?looked upon her as creeping over the snow. Now is the never mo them jumbleof blindingsunlight on the snow; sea coal fire by way of reply. drew a timid man's heart right up into one of the least interesting of the vic- time; now or never! Straighten back, you see, he is driving." Iwas drunken, a whirlingrush of trees and houses on "Can't do it, Tom. I'm too valuable his throat and kept it kicking there with tims to the Moloch of convenance. brace knee! Down comes the lithe lash besotted, wild with the haschish of that the hill sides; a racking and torment in emphasized pronoun. a member of society to think of suicide forty-horse power. And then the face Hence Ifully appreciated the unselfish over the black's flanks, and what a spurt Those wondrous back, knees and arms; a whizzing whoo at present." was but an index of the sprightly but friendship that caused him to become a we have! The brown mare strains every eyes shot me a glance of thanks; the tiny of wind in my half frozen ears. Twice "Nonsense! We'll have no end of a sound and well stored mind her father martyr to her stupidity, that I might by. muscle; her driver lays flat back on tho hands clapped in glee, and closing on Iessayed to look around at the couplo jollytime ut Belton's?raise the neigh- had seduously cultivated during a long left tete-a-tete with his glorious cousin. ribbons?now ho plies his whiplike mad! each side the gray whiskers, drew the behind me, but the commandante in on the pond?make widowerhood. And the steady, tender Ono night when our bachelor pipes?or Ho laps us again; for a hundred yards old man's face down to the ripe lips. A "Don Juan" was not more rigid than borhood?skate clicking kiss, seemingly floods of eggnogg?shock the old 'vn? gleam that sometimes replaced the mis- punch?had been stronger than usual 1 you could cover them both with a blan- all around me those strained leathers held me, while the and have a glorious german to wind up." chievous twinkle in those eyes could only said words to that effect. Tom's rejoin- ket! Once more we forge a length In tho sharp air, drove me perfectly molten fire rushing down my spine re- Ishook my head. have been drawn from the well spring of der was characteristic. Ho thrust his ahead. Wo near tho pung?we gain a drunk with envy. I was wild enough fused to let me bend my neck. I felt "Can't do it, T. Jones. Even did I a pure heart. tongue into his cheek, shut one eye very length? two. Hu-ya-a-ah!and the brown to seize the whip Tom had thrown care- my hands must soon come off?my el- want to ruin my life insurance peoplo With tho first month of our acquain- slowly, and nicking my glass with his is in the air! We feel her hot breath on lessly on the back seat; but even in the bows and shoulder blades pull clear I've engagements at home I cannot tance Ibegan to believe Icared for Bet- said, "Here's good luck, and bad 'cess our necks; we just graze the pung, fear- madness of that supremo moment Ihad from their sockets; but still 1 held on, break," and Ilooked very important as I tie Blythe; with the second Ibelieved I to old Goldwin!" fully close, and wind in just before her! method enough left to keep it far back madly, wildly, in a sort of dread- dwelt on this announcement. "You loved her, and with the third Iknew Verily, wo need never leave our own Oh, that was glorious! out of the gray's sight. ful trance, for those twenty minutes. Ilead tho choir for their Christmas it fora certainty. On the fourth month circle for evidences of the mysteries of And if anything can add to the fun it "How impatient ho looks, tucked up Then remembrance vaguely paints a see, in his driver's perch!" Tom said, practice to-night; I've been pledged for Ihad told her I adored ber wildly;and Nature's complex mechanism, and what is to have a particular somebody tucked airily, roadsideiinn; a collection of 6leighs and a month for my Christmas dinner at the for three subsequent ones had come, very odd errors we make in our estimate in beside one, with a pair of bright eyes to his uncle. "If the horses were only men running into the road and waving mayor's, and I?ahem?l skate Miss Bet- again and again, to the very threshold of them sometimes! that dance to the merry music of the half as much so we might have a lively their hands ; then a crash, acutter flying tie on the pond this after" of a repetition. Gentle and womanly, At"length its heiress had been impera- rich laugh, with a tiny hand that rests, ride." wildlyaside and a man in a somersault "Oh, what a head Ihave!" Tom broke she had at first told me gravely?the rest tivelycalled back to "Shadynook." The in pretty fright, on the tense arm that Isaw, out of the far corner of mine, Last came a grinding jar, and 1 awoke Blythe's eyes from my nightmare, lying in. "Didn't Imention that? Uncle Bob of the face demure, while the eyes danced unmated Argus would have her return guides the black a thought too near the Mr. travel rather hesitat- half between says Bet's to go with us, and she says a very witches' dance to the tune of sup- for its Xmas dismalness, and when that scrapers of the yellow sleigh. And it is inglyover the tense muscles of the gray. Tom and his cousin on the back seat, you must be sure to come. And mind, pressed merriment?that, though wo spinster foot was once put down there a problem of easy solution?given, a Oh how my soul went out in wild yearn- the horses neck deep in a snow drift and you are to tell Mm the horses are dog were very excellent friends, we were still itstayed. Exacting tho promise of a neat cutter and a fast horse, to find any ingthat he might insist on that beast rough coated men running for their quiet. Bet swears he'd never believo almost strangers. Icould onlyacknowl- speedy visit from Bettie, before Xmas if unknown quantity of tender femininity being exchanged for his own easy going heads. me." edge the truth of what she said, so 1 possible, and indulging in many mys- alongside. horse! Bur. just then the perverse brutu "Splendid, by jingo!" yelled Tom to Miss Bettie was going! prayed for forgiveness and for hope. She terious whispers and a perfect fusillade But haven't Iforgotten my story? of a sorrel stood stock still and hid the me as, hastily extricating himself from Before that young lieutenant had half gave the pardon, the pardon gave the of kisses that set me on pins and needles Ihad just sprung the lock of my valise off horse from his scrutiny. My hope the buffalo, he ran to a man floundering finished his sentence I was at the win- hope, and Iwandered on in a fool's para- of envy, the white-mousey one wept her- and wiped from my brow the drops that went from out of me, and the blackness in the road. "You're not hurt, 1 hope? dise. But though we became better and self into her sleigh and faded out into haste brought there even that bitter day, of despair settled down over me and Fm deuced sorry for the foul, but young dow gazing at those horses with an in- tho snowy avenue. that terest no quadrupeds ever possessed for better friends, though she let me mean- when Jones' tally-ho rang through the demon team. horses?hard mouths?couldn't help it. Tom and L as members of Bettie's Beasts all me before. The sorrel had fallen der unchecked through the most exten- course, frosty street. Giving a final caress to "Well, well; you must be oareful of right, 1 see. Come in and personal staff, had, of been in- have something drink." in his effort to get his leg back sive fields of rhapsody and lay the tallest cluded in the invitation to "Shady- the moucho on the wounded chin reflect- your off horse" to over the pole, the grizzly old ser- flowers of sentiment at her feet, yet tho nook," but no time was decided in our ed by my parting glance at the mirror, 1 "Of course lie will, papa. And now, I drew a long, deep, gasping breath. ! geant was sitting composedly on his first outright word Ispoke carried up the council, and weeks rolled by with no rushed down with my baggage. Tom good-by. Tom says we mustn't keep tried to spring, but could onlycra<> l head, blowing huge clouds from taper forefinger in arch warning, and the dotinite plans about it. Happy weeks sat with tho reins twisted round his them standing longer in the cold." over the scraper, and helped Miss Btttie the orderly unbuckled ripe lips formed the one word, "Remem- they were to me?full of sunshine, with heavy gauntlets, beaming and trium- In thumped Miss Bettio's bonnet box, into the road. We were at the "Boll's his pipe, while only Buch flecks of shadow made the traces. The gray amused himself ber!" as me phant, and his mustache one solid cake and both horses answered the shock with Eye" tavern, fivegood miles from Pike- not enjoy the more. Ibasked in the smiles simultaneous but I braced ton! meanwhile by snapping viciously at the Icould believe Bettie Blythe was only really of ice. The horses stood stock still, a thrill; my flirting of the woman I had ever back, and, though my legs nearly "Awkward boy who held him, and witli every snap with me. There was something cared for, and, whether they were ail covered with rapidly freezing foam, and went fellow that," I said very he made a vain lunge with his heels at too genuine, too womanly, about her for me or not, I was inanely happy, blowing out volumes of mist that form- through the dasher, managed to keep that cheerily, all things considered. I the orderly's fatigue cap, the latter dodg- whole being for that. For there's nothing half so sweet inlife ed in delicate frostwork around their accursed gray still enough for Tom's offi- hugely elated at being once more ou ing beautifully as ever did a practiced She conld never stoop, I6aid to myself As Love's young dream. nostrils. cious leavetaking to hide it from his terra firma, notwithstanding strong pro- eparrer before a big bruiser. The view for comfort, to a little triumph in the "What did I tell you? Look at the uncle. clivities displayed by my legs for shut was not encouraging. They certainly misery of the heart she know to be hers CHAPTER H. kittens." was the driver's salute; and as "Oh yes, Uncle Bob, we'll be very care- ting up like jackknives. And 1 co.dd were hardly the pair to risk a young in all honesty and ardor. No! Either OVER THE SNOW. ifto corroborate it, tho gray mare made ful and drive very slowly. Go on, old scarcely resist pullingon the Uttle wl lady's?or my own?neck with, even she was trying to make a real "friend" Holiday week had set iv heavy and a terrific lunge forward, while "Jalap" fellow; don't wait a second for me." hai d in mine, as though Miss Be though Fora was famous throughout his of me, or?delicious idea!?she was be- threatening. Ithad opened with a prom- stood straight up and pawed the air. And liftingMiss Bettie to her seat, Tom were the gray. "Awkward fellow! f; corps as a perfect Rarey. ginning to love me without admitting it ise of snow, and had closed with its veri- "So-ho! steady, boys?" and the lieuten- bounded over the scrapers like a cat. gular he couldn't take care of his trap ; 'By Georgef I half soliloquized, "1 to herself. I was willing to take tbe fication 60 fast and furious that by ant braced himself hard against the gray, "Go on! Why in the devil's name don't when he saw me coming. But soma peo- don't think she'd be safe behind those chances of the first so long as Isaw a Christmas eve the whole country for while the flexible wrist brought the long you?" he whispered to me, pretending to ple never will learn to drive." devils." possibility of the second. And besides, miles around Piketon was wrapped in lash over the sorrel's neck. "So, there! arrange the robes. Then he called his "Never!" meekly responded the little ; "Bosh! With me driving? Only the either gave me so much of her delightful one spotless and unbroken mantle. The steady now. Bundle in quick now, old uncle's attention to the new furs, and lady; but the eyes that met mine for a bells tease them a little for the moment. society. sleighing was perfect. Never in the boy, while they are quiet." dug his elbow into my back. single second literally played in flashes One turn down the road and I'll bring Though no spoken word ever passed be- memory of that much quoted oldest au- In bumped my valise, a signal for the Don't wait a second for me! of luminous merriment. What could ihom back like a pair of sheep." tween us on the subject there was yet thority in Piketon had itbeen so good. brutes to execute another war dance. Ye gods! Did the insane wretch mean she mean?