The Russellville Democrat., 1881-02-24

! ms pretty mistress. She was riding quletly over charming road, when she noticed that the trees were casting long shadows, telling that the sun was sink Ing tow m the west; and consulting her tiny watch, she found that it was nearly o'clock, an she was still some distance from home.
 The road was winding one; to the right of 1t lay a smooth, level meadow; by taking a cross-cut over it she would gain half mile. To be sure. there were two high stone walls to jump, but Louie thought nothing of that; she was a perfect horsewoman; her uncle, who was very fond of horses, had taught her himself to ride. A gentleman riding behind her watched with some curiosity the small figure, as Louie backed her horse to the side of the road; then, as he realized what she was about to do, he galloped swiftly over the intervening space.
 Settling herself firmly in the saddle, Louie gathered up the reins, and was just about to scale the wall, when a voice rang out clearl:
 "Stop!" it said, imperatively.
 Glancing up in surprise she beheld a strange gentleman riding rapidly toward her.
 What are you going to do?" he asked, as he refined up his horse.
 q am going over into the meadow" she answered, opening her brown. eyes to their fullest extent.
 Sitting there on the horses back, she looked very young; her hair, which had broken loose from the confning net, lay in a wavy mass upon her shoulders, and her hat, with its dropping feathers, was pushed far back on her head. The stranger could scarcely be blamed for supposing her to be some fearless, ventur- some child.
 "I beg your pardon, but shall not al- low you to thus endanger your life,n he said, quietly, but very firmly.
 Louie's eyes flashed; how dared he speak so to her, she thought. Looking at him defiantly, she said, saucily:
 q don't think you can help it."
 In a second he had leaped from his saddle, and had seized her horse by the bridle. He was handsome man, about 25, tall and well built, with regular fea- lures and dark eyes, just then very deter mined in their expression.
 Let go of my horsep ordered Louie.
 Not until you promise me to go around by the road" he answered. "Child, why do you wish to imperil you life?"
 He looked up into the lovely flushed face, in no wise prepared for what was to follow.
 q an no child," said Louie, haughtily. '1 am woman, and my own mistress; once more l ask you, will you remove your hand from my horse?" "Not until you give me your word that you will not try to jump that wall" he said.
 Grasping the reins tightly in one hand, Louie raised her gold-handled whip and struck him full in the face; and as his hand suddenly relaxed it's hold, she lifted her horse over the wall, and went flying across the level meadow like bird. Reginald Davenant held one hand over his face, his blood fairly boiling, and and looked after the flying figure "The little imp" he muttered. Then he mounted his horse and rode slowly home.
 But his anger cooled as the pain sub- sided and he wondered who the child was, with her lovely face and horrible temper. Perhaps he might have satis- fled his curiosity had he remained longer Judge Wilton's guest; but when he reached that gentleman's beautiful country-seat that evening he found a telegram awaiting him, recalling him to the city on important business. Many times after that he found him. self thinking of that sweet, childish face with its brown eyes and red mouth and he was conscious of vague hope that some time he would see again the little impetuous creature who had struck him
 "For l shall always remember her face" he said to himself, "and if l ever do meet her l shall surely recognize her."
 Louie's anger died quickly, too, as she rode homeward; and as burning shame l for what she had done crept over her she laid her head down on Carlos silky man and cried as though her heart would | break.
 Glow could I have done such a thing, she thought; "what can he think of me- , She was unusually quiet that evening at the supper-table, and Mrs. Brewster noticing her flushed face, said:
 "I am afraid you rode too far this after. noon, Louie"
 A month later Louie joined her aunt at Newport, and the remainder of the summer passed gayly and rapidly; but 1Iahe could not forget that afternoon ride and the handsome face of the stranger and she never thought of it without q hot, painful flush staining her cheeks.
 Two years glided away, and Louie Ellesmere was very queen in society l for besides her exquisite beauty and winning fascination of maAners, it was q well-known fact that she had inherited all her fathers fortune. But although many true, noble men had laid theil hearts at her feet she gently refused | their love.
 My king has not come yet" she would say, laughingly, to her aunt.
 She was sitting in her daintily' l furnished room one morning, busy with some fancy work, when one of her dear. est lady friends came in.
 q can not stay long, Louie," she said q must be at the dressmaker's at Il o'clock. You are coming to mammals reception Thursday evening, of course and shall introduce you to such pleas ant gentleman, a new friend of mine Prepare to lose your heart, Louie, for if was not engaged, should certainly fal in love with him myself. He was a college with Harry, my brother, five ol six years ago; but he has been abroad fol some time. Harry met him in Paris and they came home on the same ship and so renewed their old friendship He is very rich, very handsome, ant l talented"
 '"There, Eva, do stop and take breath, said Louie, laughing.
 "But must go now" said Miss Frank lyn, and, after few minutes converse | tion Gha hurried away