The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1886-09-18

eyed boy OF ten, with face which
might have been called handsome,
but for its hard disdainful express
sion, was riding to and fro on the
pony's back, to the intense envy
and delight of his younger brother.
"Comc, Gus, it is my turn now !"
he shouted, as the pony cantered
past you have had Prince long
enough"
Gus laughed, and glanced def
tely at Pills flushed face.
" Not yet, Phil; | haven't had
half a ride you must wait.
at is as much my pony as
yours" Phil retorted angrily, and
] shall tell papa if you don't get off
and let me have turn"
Gus looked darkiy at his brother,
then his eyes wandered towards
the third figure a delicate fair
haired boy, who presented strange
contrast to his companion.
81 suppose Ernest will think it
is his turn next" he said at last
sneeringly.
Ernest, who had been watching
the rider somewhat wistfully, grew
suddenly red, but he turned away
without answering.
Gus was annoyed at the boys
silence, and, leaping from his pony,
he laid harsh hand on Ernest's
arm.
ado you think / am going to
let you ride Prince? If so, you are
mistaken. Papa gave Phil and !
the pony he is not for a beggar's
use"
Ernest, accustomed to these taunts
did not respond, though his eyes
flashed Indignantly beneath their
dark lashes.
"You shouldn't say such things,
Gus" Philip broke in holly. " Ern-
est is not beggar, and if he were
you know papa would not like you
to tell him so"
"Hold your tongue" Gus an
swered rudely. and if you want
Prince, jump on, or | shall"
Phil needed no second bidding;
he had been longing for hours past
TO mount the pony, but Gus, once
in possession, got off reluctantly
Gaily he trotted away, twice
around the big garden, passing the
boys each time with a triumphant
shout.
Gus, tired of watching his broth
er's movement, amused himself by
leisurely picking up stones, and
carelessly flinging them at a distant
tree.
Unfortunately, however, just as
Phil came up the third time, one
of the stones, sent with unusal
force, struck Prince, making him
spring aflrightedly back.
Phil, unable to keep his seat, fell
heavily TO the ground; stricking
his head with some violence against
the rough wall.
His panied cry, and Ernest's
shrik of terror, brought one of the
gardeners to the spot, and Phil was
carried swiftly to the house.
There Lady Eden moaned and
wrung her hands helplessly over
her child's unconscious form.
How did it happen? Gus, what
made Prince throw your brother?"
she asked presently, turning to the
frightened boys.
Gus met her eyes unhinchingly,
but Ernest, innocent though he
was, grew scarlet, then white, be-
meath her searching gaze.
at was Ernest, mamma; he
frightened the pony by flinging a
stone at it," Gus said sullenly, a !
bright idea of an escape striking
him.
Il might have known without
asking. You good for nothing,
wicked boy! How dared you kill
my sonl / always said it was a
mistake bringing you into the
house, though Lord Eden would
never believe anything against you.
His eyes will be opened now, /
should think !"
In her rage, Lady Eden caught !
Ernest roughly by the arm, and !
snatching a small whip Gus held in |
his hand, she laid it numerically |
about Ernest's shrinking form.
Indeed | did not hurt Phil 1t
was not | who threw the stone I"
Ernest said breathlessly, his frank |
reproachful eyes meeting her flu
rious ones.
Then perhaps you can tell me
whose fault it WASP"
Ernest flushed, and involuntar-
lily his gaze wandered towards tri-
umphant Gus.
No, cannot tell you; only ] |
did not do it," he answered slowly. |
Not another word !" Lady Eden I
cried angrily, all her old resent
ment against the little orphan
child rising; You have added |
untruth to your many faults, and /
must be severely punished !"
Lady Eden would have struck
the boy again, but suddenly a firm
hand touched hers, and Ernest was