Wayside Courtships

rick or wooden stores-a street which developed into a road running back up a wide, sandy valley away from the river. Being a county town, it had a courthouse in a yard near the center of the town, and

the result of an upheaval, but were the remains of the original stratificat

astles ancient as hills, on whose massive tops time had sown sturdy oaks and cedars. They lent a distinct air of romance to the valley at all times; but when in summer vines

he snow, these towers had a distinct charm. The weather was glorious winter, and in the early morning when the trees glistened with frost, or at evening when the white light of the sun wa

est was done unconsciously, for the charm of his manner (all unkno

first appealed; "I'm a student trying to sell a good book and make

im with a smiling candor and a leisurely utterance quite the opposites of the brazen timidity and rapid, parrot-like tone o

ernal racket to the bitter end. Oh, say! there's a socia

al

neighbor Picket's daughter; she's homely as a

u're an infe

I'm business," ended

lingering at the table with the girls and Mrs. Welsh

oing to th

guess

go if I a

ered the girl, with a

ttend the festivity of the evening

than

eady befor

ve got to was

ou go get ready," said t

, filled with laughing young people moving about or seated at the long tables. Maud's cheeks were full of delicate color

nts some way," said Albert, in a low vo

short time he was enjoying himself very well indeed. He was reminded rather disagreeably of his office, however, by seeing Hartley s

even o'clock when the young people began to wander off toward home in pairs. Alb

people, arm in arm, walked slowly homeward under the bare maples,

?" he asked i

ied; then added with a sigh, "I don't like soc

yed too

m getting so they s

ttle that way myse

in Tyre at any time-no music, no t

go half

omes into these little towns-and

itting a terrible odor as th

twelve o'clock. Good nig

t, and giving it a cordial pres

repeated softly, g

ert sitting thoughtfully by the fire, with his c

eat scheme, that sociable, eh? I saw your

her out of this thing; I don't lik

oyster-only keep it up! Get in all the church s

ared there had never been such book agents in the town: such gentlemanly fellows, they didn't press anybody to buy; they didn't rush about and "poke their noses where they were not wanted." They were more like merch

his room without lighting his lamp, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep. He had be

out without seeing the sleeper. In the sitting room she met Ed Brann. He was a stalwart young man with

I want t'

s it, Ed?" replied

re going to be out till twelve

woke Albert. Brann's tone was brutal-more brutal even than h

what's t

ound with that feller with my ring on your finger, that's

er a pause, curiously quiet; "t

ert could tell by the change in his voice,

; I didn't mean to say t

can know you. Take your ring,

ed the man. In the silence which followed she looked him in the face, and sco

closely into causes. She was astonished to find herself more indignant tha

er! m

me. There, there! don't cry, pet! Wh

he said-h

e you been quarreling? Never m

l cried, lifting her head; "I've given him b

e way as if she could not explain sufficiently to justify herself. Mrs. Welsh consoled herself with the idea that it was only a lov

ttle for Brann. Albert, being no more of a self-analyst than Maud, si

to stop, and after the rest had gone he remained seated at the table, enjoying the indignant color in her face and

id you'd be more bother

green as I look, by no manner o' means. I've b

l. "You young men rooming do precious li

ash every dish in the house, except the spider

out the

with a newspaper every

!-Mother, li

? You wouldn't have me wipe i

t poison you," com

ison a student," laughed

re Maud stood with her sleeves rolled up, deep in the dis

leigh ride?" he ask

up with s

I!-Can you get

ild; the air'l

ttle girl, "you said you

silenced he

just the nicest time o' day

d Albert. "I'll have a cutter around here

y doorway of his stable when th

ss the fastest nag into you

' take y'r gi

want 'o do i

e, if you can drive him; h

as

as knowin' as a fox. Drive him with on

insinuating old ins

th the stress of his enjoyment of his joke. He ended by hitching a vicious-l

s all right when he sees you've g

-confident youth, leaping into the sleigh and gathering up the l

e the old man could utter a word. Albert thrilled with pleasure as he felt t

his up he'll d

e Maud came gayly down the

t the horse-is he gentle?"

t replied.-"Git o

lone, out for a race. Laughter was on the air, and the jingle-jangle of bells. The sun was dazzling in its brightness, and the gay wrap

t, Bo

r go, Ga

she a

were insolent they laid them to envy, and

treet and whirled in just before them. The man was a superb driver, and sat with the reins held carelessly but securely in his left han

Bert; "that lo

," sai

ack Hawks, both of them. I won

on't try," pl

y n

because I

id of

omething'

I'm goin' t' pass him if old

make hi

mad?

es

se it does,

at an easy pace. Som

on y'r tr

first time, and saw them. He swore through his teeth, and turned about. He

Everybody except Brann welcomed Albert with sincere pleasure, and exchanged rustic jokes with him. As th

istance anything on this road. When you want him to do his best let

he young doctor of the place were turning together a little farther up the street. The blacks, superbly obedient t

ame down past the doctor, and seemed about to pass Alb

ngthen; to the spectators his nose appeared to b

" shouted Albert, in u

el shake himself!"

glimpse of the mare's neck, he thrilled with delight. There was the thoroughbred's lacing of veins; the proud fling o

s of the town. All inter

rack!" yelle

's good

don't

s mare draw slowly, foot by foot, past the blacks. Suddenly Brann gave a shrill yell and stood up in his sleigh. The g

rel out!" ye

tt on the corner, quivering

. The old sorrel's teeth came together with a snap; his head lower

Saul,

silence, had covered her head with the robe to escape the blinding cloud of f

ange to say, the old sorrel increased his speed. Again Brann struck at him, but missed him, and the stroke fell on Bert's outstretche

out, t

part, he felt the reins slip through his hands, and that was all; he seemed to fall an immeasurable depth into a black abyss.... Th

r! He's dead-oh, he's

ice, still far away, and a hush fol

t do you think you can do

and back!" othe

were taking his cap off and putting snow on hi

e take

something?" said

noth

grew the noise of voices grew more distinct and he could hear sobbing. Then the dull, rhythmic red flashes passed slowly away from his eyes, and he opened his lids, but the glare of the sunlight struck them shut again; he saw only Mau

ushed and excited men thronging about him. He saw Brann, with wild, scar

eel now?" ask

lbert, do you know

d a little, and at length whispered

tt helped the wounded man into the sleigh. The pain in his head grew worse, but Albert's perception of things grew in proportion; he closed his eyes to the sun, but in the shadow of Maud's breast opened th

the sleigh, and the people were accosting him. Alber

he's stunned, that's all; he isn't bleeding

my pardner? Bert, old fellow, are you there?" Hartley asked, clinging to the

re is left of me,"

t happen?" he a

't see-we ran into a c

't you

I stayed in

fe. He groaned, and tried to rise. The girl gently but firmly restrained him. Hartley was walking b

to rise again. "I'm blee

ddered, but

're 'mo

aces she saw in groups on the sidewalk. The boys who ran alongside wore in th

seemed something alien in that moment; and they, gazing upon

sort of shuddering pleasure. It was all a strange, unusual, inthrallin

ann do

asked s

butt end o

His team ran in

crowded him in

at

cut him out

" yelled Hartley, as he took Albert in his arms and,

errible! How is he?" asked an old

d Mrs. Welsh, sup

e ain't hurt much, either; just

as Maud appeared out of the cro

she could, running into the trembling arms o

went off by way of the alley; he was not prepared to meet their q

been up to?" was th

thi

head with a whip-stock

We was racing, and he

he saw yo

rikin' the horse t

idn't strike him, they'll say you run him into the culvert, 'n' every man, woman, 'n' child'll be down on you,

had followed Ed down to the store. "I guess the young feller'll come out all right. Just g

e shivered again as he remembered the man's white face with the bright red stream flowing down behind his ear and over