The Labor enquirer., 1883-03-03

Sauut6E6u up anu uOmu LII RIOuI4o Ul@V
looked as bright as a bouquet, depth and
shade being impaired to the. general
coloring by the occasional glimmering
Of dark cOat a grayIhat with a blue
vail, a thin>pair of legs and an incipient
nustache. ! =
'Do you bathel this morning, Barton ?"
called Hexter, from the carriage drive,
shouting to make himself heard above
the music Of the band. y
"I'Il drive down with. you if you like" Z"
said Barton, ,.indoIently moving from his
place and descending the steps. "ButI
don't|bathe, thank you"
"Hhy not? Afraid it will take your
hair out Of curl? For my part, l ain
good for nothing till I havemy dip"
."And not good for much afterward."
"Don't be severe, Phil. Get in, and
I'll show you how well my mare can use
her legs"
The tide was low, but there was good
surf, and many bathers were disporting
themselves therein, when the two young
men reached the beach,.
'I promised to joiFna party, Barton, 50
you will excuse me, of courSe?? said
Hexter. "Wait for me, or not as you
like
Philip kept close to the water, letting
the incoming waves wet the mares feet,
He looked with but small interest at the
gay crowd, and took off his hat to an oc-
easional fair acquaintance with quiet un-
concern.
Two or three pretty faces frightened
into smiles as they recognized him, and
one little blonde reined in her bay
ponies and made slight gesture with
her hand, inviting him to a seat at her
side. But Philip apparently was una
ware of the honor intended, him, for he
merely bowed and drove on. The little
blonde opened her blue eyes in blank
ast0nishment, and then struck the ponies
such a sharp, quick lash as to almost
make the natty little i%tiger" in the
rumble lose her weII-preserved balance.
Philip drove up to the very end of the
beach, turned, drove back a short dis
tance and stopped suddenly. For com
ing toward him with great swiftness,
was a little ph@ton, drawn by a stout,
wicked, vicious pony. The reinS were
in the hands Of a very distressed looking
little damsel, who did not appear to
know at all how to manage them. AS
the pony shot past, a little, piteQus voice
gasped out, "Oh, please make him stop
Pm SO frightenedp.
Before the words were said, indeed, in
answer to the first look from the brown
eyes, Philip had thrown the reins to the
groom and was out Of the dog-cart and
at the pony's head. That segaciou8 little
beast became very dociIe and looked
very innocent, as soon as he felt the
strong hand on his bit. He stopped at
once and the distressed fair one got out.
''Thank you so very, very much" she
said, in a soft, trembling voice.. 81
think-I am sure you have saved my
life"
Il wish l might have been so fortu-
nate," said Philip, but am afraid my
services were Of less importance. I am
very glad, though, to have been Of any
use. Will you permit me to see you
safely to your friends ?"
Il won't trouble you, any more, thank
you. If you will let your groom drive
the pony to the other end Of the beach
will walk. 1t is Mrs. Prestons pony :;
l was to drive, while she went in bath
ing; but l had no idea he was 50 obsti-
nate and naughty, or l never should
have ventured. am such coward"
She spoke with perfect ingeniou8ness,
and with none Of the reluctance an or.
dinary American girl would have felt in
speaking to stranger The color was
returning to her face, and Philip thought
he had never seen so bright and radiant
a little creature.
"0f course am not going to permit
YOU towaIk on this wet beach, he said
with great decision. You must let me
have the honor Of driving youuntiI Mrs.
Preston can be found"
II don't like to trouble you, but since
you@re 50 kind as to offer, perhaps il
would be best. [ am not very well shud
for walking and she put out>a tiny foot
dressed in Scarlet hose and low black