Part 15 (2/2)
”I don't think so,” put in her daughter, a beautiful miss of sixteen. ”He landed in the middle of a blackberry bush when he sprang from the front seat.”
”Then he was driving?”
”Yes, and it was his fault that the team ran away,” returned Mrs.
Carrington. ”I told him that they were very spirited, but in order to make them do their best, as he thought, he used the whip upon them.”
”Such a team as that don't need the whip much,” put in old Bob Sanderson, who had come up during the conversation, followed by Dan Pickley. ”They're too high-minded.”
”That is just it,” said the lady.
”It was gritty of Ralph to shut the bridge and stop 'em for you,” went on the old man.
”Indeed it was!” cried Julia Carrington. ”I shall never forget your bravery,” she went on to Ralph. ”You have done what many a man would be afraid to undertake.”
”So he has,” put in her mother. ”You are Ralph Nelson, the bridge tender, I believe.”
”Yes, ma'am.”
”I used to know your father fairly well. You have taken his place since he died.”
”Yes, ma'am--up to the end of this week. Then Mr. Pickley takes it,” and Ralph pointed to the fellow he had mentioned.
”And what are you going to do?”
”I don't know yet. I am going to look for work somewhere.”
”I trust you find something suitable.”
”I'll take anything that pays fair wages.”
”And how is it you are going to leave here?” went on the lady, curiously.
”I got into a row with Percy Paget, and his father is chairman of the village board, and he sided with his son.”
”I see.” Mrs. Carrington bit her lip. ”Well, we must be going, Julia,” she said to her daughter. ”I shall not forget you for your bravery, Ralph Nelson.”
”Thank you, ma'am; I only did what was my duty.”
”It is more than that. I shall not forget you, remember.”
The lady re-entered her carriage, and Ralph a.s.sisted the daughter to a seat beside her.
In a moment more they continued on their way, leaving Ralph, Sanderson and Pickley to gaze after them.
”My, but they're swell!” was Pickley's comment. ”I wish I was in your shoes, Ralph.”
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