Litchfield enquirer., 1874-07-23
man. l" pleaded Paitv

| uiAAOAOiiCo aS tOSS GilsaG WIbn6f6Q C9mell13. Now. don't you waste your thoughts on
 hlm. don't intend to, though the wretch. ed man has been making love to mo in
 ms qiuet way ever since he came. I'm afraid every day he'll propose. and shall have the trouble of refusing him without
 losing my temper"
 I "But l can't help it, said Patty, faint fly.
 Il "Oh. yes, you can. You thought you
 could not, down in that dull place. with
 nothing else to think about; but you'll
 ba under different treatment here. I can
 asssurc you. Plenty of exercise and ex-
 cltement will soon cure. I'll tell you
 what; as a great treat, tomorrow you
 shall ride Crusader. We'll take quiet canter along the lanes"
 "Oh, but can't ride strange horses, ''
 said Patty.
 I "Oh, you'll soon get acquainted. Mind,
 consider this great favor, and you musn't hurt my feelings by refusing. One
 of my habits will fit you nicely, and when you return you'll feel spirit enough to de- fy twenty majors"
 ''You arc darling girl p said Patty, getting up and kissing her. I'm afraid you are in minority, my dear, said Diana. ''Most people say I'm intensely disagreeable Goodnight. and don't dream of the maior." | And the pair kissed again, and parted
 for the night.
 The next day was one of those hazy, mild November ones, which break out in to glimpse of sunshine toward noon, and then return to their former dullness. The two girls rode along between the hedge rows. chatting pleasantly.
 "lm sure shall not be able to manage this animal" said Patty. timidly. ''See how he losses his head about"
 That's because you let him feel the cnrb. dear; l had it up sharp on purpose. Have power of punishment; but seldom fuse it. That is the real secret of manag- ling horses, dogs and men. There, now, Iyou see he goes quietly enough on the Isnaffie. Now coax him a little, and give land take more; remember he isn't a Iphlegmatic donkey with a mouth like a Ideal board"
 "Well, I must say I prefer quiet horses; lone feels so much more at ease" | ''Pshaw, my deari I wouldn't give 8 iguinea for horse that any one could ride, that took no more notice of a steam engine than of hay-stack. They have just the same dead level of indifference that is the ideal excellence of the young man of the period, who hears with equal apathy of railway accident or revolu- tion."
 "Well, I suppose they only follow the fashion, just as i'll their coats and col Iars."
 "But what an age it must be that makes dead calm the acme of good style, and subtitutes Jack Poyntz for Ranger or Charles Surface" ''GoOd heavens, Diana you don't mean to say you read those horrid old plays! Mamma would not let me study such things on any account"
 ''Nonsense As if they could be worse man Glo French plays one sees now. or half dozen English ones I could name, At least. enjoy the male characters more hhan ours. They were infinitely more sparkling, and do not believe they were blt moro wicked at bottom" tentiemen now onnld be quite AS wit ty if they cared to try"
 ''Oh, l don't doubt their abilities. my dear; suppose the breed or male animals produces about the same number of prodigies in every age; but how is one to know 1t? certainly prefer men who keep their wits and their swords equally bright by daily use. Here one is in equal uncertainty as to their livers or their in- tellect."
 .Livers.' Diana what an expression!" said Patty.
 Strictly Shakesperean, assure you. "A hly-livered knave'-see Macbeth I dare say you can find a musty copy of Shakespeare on the top shelf in the libra y."
 "Ah, Di I'm afraid you never will get | af hot .o%1
 GAS some one says of Morris, I shall ancholy time'"
 "You must have had plenty of offers ?' ''Oh, dozens all couched in the con. descending brevity with which the a,reur cheu0lieT of the day deigns to express his wishes. Now, just contrast the men we have been talking about. Worship com mences by shower of more or less read able verse, which you have the option of reading or committing to the flames. You casually drop your handkerchief into q running stream or down a precipiee, and your adorer throws himself after it, and restores 1t at the risk of his life. After while he throws himself on his knees both knees, mind-and begs you to save him from destruction. You relent; on leaving you he meets his rival; glance is enough; swords flash out"-so did Diana's eye-''and woe to him who fiinches."
 ssHorriblep said Patty.
 twill thls suit you better? Strephon strolls lazily into the room; remarks on the weather; allows himself to decline in- to seat by your side, and suggests that you should become Mrs. Strephon. Fla sortant he meets his rival; treads on his toesj they exchange abusive epithats, light cigars, and-oh. pathos-cut each other at the club"
 "Well, that's better than fighting" said Patty.
 And infinitely safer. We'll, my dear. perhaps, after all, you are right. We mustn't take our idea of the class from Sir Harry Wildair- there's darling name for you. They only show what was con- sidered the thing. dare say am get ting fearfully grabbed. You see when a glrt has money she becomes the centre of a circle of deception. Let us change the subject. How we'll that habit fits you!''
 alt feels rather strange. You see so seldom ride at home"
 "Ay, of course. Now, to me habit is second nature, as some one says. ! feel indefinitely more comfortable in low dress. l purposely lent you my regular riding hat, for want to see how I should feel in this new-fangled affair. I'm afraid it wouldn't suit crashing through bun- finch; one wants something stiffer for that. |................. Whats that?' she cried, as an indistinct sound came down the wind, and both horses pricked up their ears. t"The hounds, they must have come all the way from Marlford.' 'Oh, do look at this horse, Di! He's dancing up and down fearfully y." 'Put him on the curb, dear, if he's too troublesome. An, there they go! Look, Patty, there's sight for youl See how close they run togetherl There is MT. vane on Brown Bess. Well tried at, Mir. Vane! An. the major does it-oh, the conceit of that manl-and here comes the rest; only two gaps for all the poor creat- ures. There is my little brother, Bantry, bringing np the rear on bis pony-a ter rible hard fellow is Rantry. Oh. Patty!' exclaimed Diana, trembling with excite ment. .'I would give anything to be with 1 them"