Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-05-01
THE GIPSY'S CURSE,
CHAPTER VII.

DarrelIs lninu when he rode over from
the Court to the Grange, with mounted
groom following, leading Zueika, who
was provided with new saddle and bride.
But Sir Philip had not said to himself, al
Will WOO lima; l will try To make her love
me-" There was no such definite thought
us yet, only the fierce defiance OF the fate
which forbade him to love. only the de.
termination not to yield her up. bearing
MN steadily EDWARDS to the fultilment he
was putting from him.
lima was quite ready when the horses
drew up before tho door; and She came
out to meet Sir Philip on the threshold in
close-fitting riding-dress aud plumed
Spanish hat that made her look. If possi-
bic, more witching than ever.
al hope 1 have not kept YOU waitinoSv
said Sir Philip, smiling. III am punctual,
Think"
"To tae minute. am only just down.
You won't mind not seeing auntie. will
you! she has "a headache, and Is not out of
her room yet Jennie" to one of the ser.
Vants-"where j. my riding-whipy Run
ana fetch IL, please. AZ is in my room. I
think"
al hope said Sir Philip, rs lie led his
companion out, that Miss Durnlord's head.
ache is only slight one:"
"1es, thanks; IL will go of presently
she OFTEN has them, she tells me, aud thew
never last"
Sir Philip lifted the slender figure, and
with practiced skill swung the girl into
the saddle rs il she had been "a feathers.
weight.
"You do help one perroctlyw said IL
nia. "rhanks, Sir Philip"
He smile 1, and, turning to the groom,
took from him a dainty silyer-mounted rid
ing-whip. which he placed in Ilma's hand.
"0h, Sir Philip"-the quick color rush.
ing TO her cheeks-"why will you he so
kind! What Il perfect little beauty of n
whip, which, | am sure, by-the-way, | shall
not have TO use much And the saddle
and bride are lovely. You have quite
beggared me in words, but not in graft
tude."
"You forget that, Il gratitude were due
TO me from you, it would be more than
cancelled by mine to YOU for the honor
you do me i'm accepting my poor gifts"
With this gallant speech Sir Philip
vaulted into the saddle, and the two riders
took the road 10 the Larches.
Sir Philip saw in II moment that lima
was Il practiced horsewoman. She sat her
steed well, and none out a skillful rider
completely under the control of the girls
firm but gentle hand. lima was enrap-
tured with the mare, and Sir Philip after
riding for while in almost perfect silence
said
81 see you are mistress. / would not
for the world have any but such II rider
as you are mount Zuleika."
sWas that" asked the girl, laughing,
'why you preferred to bring her with
your"
"Yes. l knew, of course, that you
were u crack horse woman, or should not
have selected Zuleka; but forgive lie if L
wanted TO make assurance doubly sure by
having mademoiselle's debut with you
under my own eye. You see, though she
has been exercised for lady's riding, she
has never yet been ridden by q lady,"
"There is nothing to forgive, Sir Philip.
1t is very good of you to be SO careful for
me. IL had gone out the first time with
Roland, and Zuleika had bolted, lie would
never have been able TO catch her up. 1
call his horse Tom monster-tit to draw
anine-pounder unaidedW
sir Philip laughed ut this piece of youth
full exaggeration and so, chatting, they
rode in the sunlight and under the spread
Ing boughs of larch and elm, till they
came in sight of the Larches. They saw
the horses before the door, and the Sabine
girls and Roland on the terrace; and lima,
girl-like, put Zuleika into II swift canter,
pulling up the mare in such splendid style
close by the steps that cry Of admiration
greeted the feat.
"Isn't she darling?" said lima, bend
Ing from the saddle flushed and laughing,
Us they all rushed round her; and ut the
same instant Sir philiD rode M.
"Well done, Ilma," lie said; and then,
raising his hat, and bowling low to Mrs.
Sabine, he dsmounted and went up the
terrace to greet her.
"That horse is fearfully wild, Ilma,"
observed Roland, while his sisters were
admiring Ilma's whip "Arc you sure you
can manage herr"
llmas laugh rang out like silver bell.
sI wish i was us sure Of everything rs
am Of that" she replied. "Steady, dear"
AS Zuleika began capering about. "Oh,
Roland, you will Kill mel What has made
you timid all in moment?'
al shouldn't be timid for person
cared nothing about" said Roland, look
ing up at her earnestly.
"You can't care much for me in this
short time you know, Roland" responded
lima, perfectly unconscious of any deep
do or not, you need not pull long face
for me-"
Roland could not say more just then, for
Sir Philip came up and lifted Rose Into
her saddle, and Roland was obliged to turn
away to perform u like service for jamie
But, while he was giving his sister the bril-
die, he kept his eyes fixed anxiously upon
Zuleika, who was curyeting about evil
IDENTIFY ea0er to be of Hardly acknowl-
edged to himself, was an unworthy desire
in the young mans mind to find a flaw in
Sir Philip Darrelps gift, to prove him
wanting in sufficient care for llma's safe
ty, while his own solcitude, ii even over
anxious, would shine by contrast.
"Sir Philip" he said little abruptly
TO the Baronet, who, having attended to
Rose, was now turning away TO his own
horse, "Zuleika is terribly wild. hardly
think she is safe for lima to ride"
For q second Sir Philips naughty brow
contracted, aud the blue veins Gil the tenn
pies stood out--sure indications of a quick
and passionate temper; but he checked the
answer that rose to his lips, and replied
cody, though with some irony
III think that know how to match horse
and rider, Sabine; there Is no danger wha
ever.n
81 hope not" said Roland shortly, turr
ing red.
To this Sir Philip gave no answer. II
mounted in silence, and backed his hors
to Ilma's side. She had not heard wha
had Just passed, and was exchanging bar
,dinage with Rose and jamie.
oNeyer mind" she said; "Zuleika ca
do without fiower-she is one herself"
ad n