The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-03-19
IAN HE ND |.
BY FANNY NEWBERRY.

.
" Come, COZ it is too lovely a
day to be penned in the house,
Let's mount our good steeds and i'm
agine ourselves two farie ladies
in search of our princes-siuce that
is the fashion nowadays Too bad
the old fairy-tales have been reversed,
isn't it?"
You foolish childr laughed L
what have you to do with gallant
princes, who haze scarcely left off pin
AZORES? Nevertheless, | am willing
to seek nly prince, and you may ac-
company me if you like
How kind and condesceud-
ingl Well, I'll accept the offer,
since it's the best | can do
only, let me warn you, that [ shall
use all my arts to win him from you
3" Do your BEST" [ answered, gayly;
my prince must be impervious to all
charms but my own; but come, let's
get ready. Willyou order the horses,
Ianthe; there's Tom on the lawn?"
Even when mounted, she continued
her light vein Of banter, with an oc-
casional burst of enthusiasm over
some rare vista of loneliness, or de.
licious bit Of cOloring How beauti-
full she was that mornings Not an
ornament, ribbon, or feather relieved
the severe simplicity of her black habit
and close hat-and she needed none
Her heavy braids Of hair fairly
glistened in the sunshine, her eyes
danced, her cheeks glowed Yand her
firm, erect figure, was IS perfect and
graceful as sculptor could desire. She
always, looked taller and older on
horseback, and one would have taken
her this morning for seventeen, at
least.
We rode quietly for some time,
chatting as young girls will, ever and
anon breaking the silence of the for
est road by a peal of laughter that
sent the birds tWittering from their
nests, and the frightened squirrels
scampering up the trees. Finally,
Ianthe proposed a race. | objected
her horse was so wild, and had only
been accustomed to the most careful
usage. But she was determined.
Only see" Blanche, what a fine
stretch of road, straight as an arrow
and the Corsair Will obey my 1ightest
touch. do. believe you are afraid
yourselfr'
This taunt suficed, and with
a sudden stroke of the whip,
/ sprang ahead. This the Corsair
could not brook, and plunging sud
denly, tore ahead at frantic pace.
saw that Ianthe was unprepared-
that the reins- lay but loosely in her
hands. My affrighted scream only
increased her horses speed, and stop
ping niy=own with difficulty, Iwaited
IN intense suspense, expecting to see
her thrown to the earth On, on
they dashed, but to my utter aston
ishment, | saw her slender form
drawn up prouly, and knew she must
have recovered a firm grasp on the
bit. It was a straight road; so,
hoping for the best, | hurried on.
But canter as fast as | would that
frantic horse sped on far ahead, until,
with fearful pang of terror, | saw a
huge black mass directly in their
path. Again stopping, | covered my
face with my hand, fearful of seeing
the terrible death which i felt sure
awaited my cousin But curiosity
Overcame my terror, and, glancing up,
[ saw--oh heavens the horse
spring several feet in the air,
then alight, run a few rods
further, suddenly shy up to the fence
at one side Of the road and stop
lCitb Ionthe still on has backl In a
moment L was at her side. She had
dismounted, and was sitting on the
grass, herehorse's bride thrown over
her arm, while the Corsair shook and
trembled in every limb, though his
wicked black eyes lookedte times
more Satanic than everl She looked
up with a nervous laugh.
Good as a steeple-chases wasn't it,
Blanche? Did you see me 60 over
that tree-and how did you manage
to pass il? She spoke gayly, but
her voice was low d-husky. and the
muscles Oh her face stwitched with
intense feeling.
oh, [ came around through the
trees. But, Ianthe. weren't you
frightened nearly to death 2 How
don { knows 1t seemed as if
had the strength of ten men, and l
was determined | would not be mas
leap / Just elung to the. pOmmel and
shut my eyes. and l den remember
anything mere till he stopped. IN
just as weak d. Il Bdb9 INV, lAOu5A-
and She leaned back YEARLY.
IF [ can he OF any assistance,
command nU services.E We turned
hastily.
A gentleman, mounted on d tall,
fiery Day, was just emerging from "a
bridle-path and refined Qp a he spoke.
\ wild cry was but haltssuppre sed as
l met Mr.. st. Glars eyes A stare
OF surprise on his part, AID the next
moment he was standing al my side,