The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-10-15
A LEAP FOR A LOVER.

ndihS over the tcxan pfairle on her
spirited black steed, with cheeks glowing,
and eyes flushing with sense of hmitless
liberty, Alice Arlyn seemed a second Di
Velnon-an Amazonial1 queenAeverything
brave and beautiful.
A summer days sun was sinking be-
yond the horizon line of the wide expanse
of prairie. A light breeze came murmur-
ing over the undulating grass.
"This is perfectly delightful ~ exclaimed
Alice, removing her hat. "The wind fairly
lifts the hair from my brow"
"If you wore chignon, you would be
more desirous to avoid that effect" laughed
her brother. "Imagine Arab and me
scampeling over the prairie in chase of that
article !"
Alice smiled
"If were cynic, I would say that
chignon is fit emblem of Civilizations
sham; but as 1 am not a cynic, l will
enjoy my present freedom in thankful
ness"
81 say, Alice, hadn't we better return
They generally want me at the Ranch about
this time"
"rll excuse your further attendance,
Tom, but l am determined to go as far as
the river. I've discovered a new spe-
cies of running vine among the trees
there"
Tom refined in his horse and hesitated
"Why, Tom," said Alice, "you are not
afraid that anybody viii run away with
me, / hope" and she shook her riding
whip valiantly; "and it's impossible for me
to run away with anybody, for there are
not dozen living souls in as many
leagues
She re-arranged the folds of her dark
green habit, and with a graceful, mock
obeisance to Tom, darted away. Tom, un-
like most brothers, admired his sister more
than any one el.e on earth These two
We're all to each othsr-alone in the world
and their mutual love was infinitely
greater on this account. Tom stood still
for some time, looking after the receding
figure, until the red horizon reminded him
of his duties at the Ranch.
Reaching a clump of trees on the bank
of the narrow stream, Alice halted, and
coloring of tie scene there mingled that
undefinable spirit of sadness which never
fails to accompany the death of a day.
Perhaps this was in unison with her
thoughts, for a grave expression came into
her eyes, and the half ceased to play
around her lips.
Her thoughts had gone back two years
back through months of dreary waiting
and self-reproach. The figure of the man
she had loved seemed to come be tween her
and the sunset, with the reproachful look
he had won at their parting.
Guy Philips and she had met, and become
engaged He had loved her passionately,
and she had returned his love with equal
fervor-they had different ways of showing
it. Guy would have been content TO gaze
at her from morning 20 night, and smile
or a word would have been sufficient for
him. Alice was not satisfied with
this. She wanted h r lover to be more
alover-like" - less "indifferent,' as she
phrased it. They were at fashionable
summer resort and Alice flirted fast and
furiously. Guy bore this with admirable
patience.
"a male imitation of Chaucer's Griselda,"
she murmured, impatiently. "Wil nothing
arouse him r.
There was a certain self-styled Spanish
marquis at TIE hotel. He was pretty
well known TO be an INSCRIPTIONS gam
bier. At one of the balls, Alice Sc
lected him as partner in two successive
waltzes.
something must come of this" she
thought as she whirled around to the
strains Of the "Blue Danube"
Something DID come of it. Guy Philips
spirit was aroused. After the dance, he
grasped her wrist, and led her out upon
the balcony. He sternly commanded her
never to dance a round dance with any
other than himself Alice had not bar
pained for this She wanted more
warmth, even jealousy, in her lover; but
she would brook no Infringement on her
liberty Of action She replied haughtily,