St. Landry democrat., 1883-07-07

would not bulge. She snapped the
whip; he stood as stiff as the wooden
horse of the Trojans.
"Oh, daughter, daughter, he's balk-
ing!'' cried the elder lady, who APP
peared to be an invalid. eff there's
anything I'm afraid of, it's baking
horse"
"Allow me, madam" said Harvey,
again advancing.
He twisted the animals ear a mo-
ment to divert his attention, then took
him by the bit and led him several
PAGES.
"See, mamma, the pony has got over
his sulks. Thank you, sir. :"
The young lady resumed the reins;
the fractions quadruped promptly re-
fused to stir.
"Let me get out, Lila; won't 60 an
other step with him.
=" He doesn't seem to be going" said
the daughter, with vexed laugh. "You
know you can't walk a rod. You'll
surely have relapse, mamma, if you
don't sit still"
Again Harvey led the pony. Again
the tantalizing nag stiffed in his harness
the instant Miss Lila took the reins.
Many times was this farce repeated, and
many were the minutes wasted. Mean
time the sky had become overcast,
and thunder was muttering in the dis
lance.
"My mother has been very i'll. If she
is caught in the shower she may get her
DEATH" cried Miss Lila, in distress.
ooh, what shall we do?''
"If you'll pardon the suggestion, I
might drive you to the Eyre, if that is
your destination said Harvey; with a
deprecatory glance at his masquerading
| costume.
s.Oh, aosN you? But there is your
horse and cart?''
| II could come for them.
Sand with all mammals shawls and
pillows, the phaeton is hardly wide
enough for us two. y
THAT is true; it is Lilliputian af-
fair The youth was grayely testing
its light springs and braces.
as there danger of breaking down?
Then you go with mamma, and I'll drive
the cart.
LILA Lavender! The idear' expostu-
lated the invalid.
Tom Cavender's mother and sister,
by the ashes Of my uncle! Confound it,
what scraper' was the young soap
merchants inward ejaculation; as he
awaited the ladies' pleasure.
What better can do, mamma?
shall ride famously. Unless you're
afraid to trust me with your horse, y
the young lady added, with a glance
toward Harvey.
| .Not in the least. He's far from be-
4 ing fiery Bucephalus."
Struck with the incongruity of the
remark from such a source, Miss Lila
lost all control Of her dimpleso =
| .'That seat is suspended braveen the
heavens and the earth, like Moham'
med's coffin, mamma" she TESTED, BY
way of cloaking her untimely mirth
..One ought to be shot into it out
of catapult.'
i To aid the young lady in mounting
Harvey silently extended hand, whose
exceeding smuttiness was intensified BY
seal ring that glittered upon the little
finger. Miss Lila glanced curiously a
the fine cameo with its quaint setting
Who was this anomalous being wht
sported costly ornaments and guotec
from the classics? And where, where
had she seen that peculiar cameo be
fore, or one just like ita All! now sh'
recollected. Tom had worn it HON.
last vacation, when he and his chun
had exchanged rings. But how hat
this soap-man become possessed of it!
Could it be that he and Harvey Vance
were identical? Tom had said tina
Harvey was spending the summer il
the neighborhood. This must be he
Yes, she was sure of it.
Obedient to the young mans will tina
unaccountable pony darted away on tn
wings of the wind. Close behind, heat
down, tail up, followed old Dobbin in
heavy canter which seemed to shake TIL
! very leaves on the trees. Charged upol
! by the empty soap barrel, Miss Lii
slipped to the other side of the seat, ant
[ clung to the ash-bin. A mile wa
passed. two miles. The gable-roofe'
|, Eyrie loomed in the distance. On spec
the pony; on numbered old Dobbin; o.
4 swooped the storm cloud. A dozel
guests crowded out upon the hote
piazza to witness the exciting race.
..How white Mrs. Lavender looks!'
:. cried one. "Where did she pick up tn
fantastic driverp''
{, us that Miss Lila in the cartP'' ex
claimed the gentleman addressed
..Well, she's girl Of mettle! Ha
here comes the rain!'
As the phaeton dashed up he rushe
out with an open umbrella to escor
Mrs. Lavender into the house. L
mounting the steps she turned towar
J Harvey.
.sYou have done us great service
Z sir. assure you we are grateful. M
r daughter will see that you are recon-
pensed for your time and trouble. y