The Washington critic., 1888-04-07


was dark and wavy and soft as spun
silk.
"A friend of Judge Carlislc's," Nat
concluded; professional friend, no
doubt--a wcll-to-do lawyer"
The evening passed pleasantly
away, though the farmer, with his
his customary hour leaving his wife
10 chat with the judge about old
times.
Nat, of course, devoted himself to
the young lady and Mr.. Vincent and
the ice once broken, he enjoyed il ex-
ceodingly. Miss Carlisle had the gift
OF making difiident men feel per-
fectly mt ease in her presence, and in
the intoXication of the hour Nat
utterly forgot the difference in their
station. lie talked with her about
art and books, and was delighted TO
discover that her favorite authors
were the very ones lie admired. She
had brought her guitar, and played q
series of Spanish airs. Then she sang
one or two songs in such rich con-
tralto voice that Nat felt as if he could
listen to it forever. When they were
about to retire to their several apart
ments, Nat said
"Do you enjoy horseback riding,
Miss Carlisle?"
ooh, yes; it is my favorite recrea-
tion. used to ride every day when
we lived in the country, but ] seldom
get a chance in the city"
II have two good horses and
lady's saddle ! hope you will do
me the honor of using them as often
us you wish to ride. If you would
like gallop tomorrow morning be-
fore breakfast ] will see that the
horses are ready"
"Thmk you, Mr.. Ellis; but do you
expect me to ride both horses 2"
No, of course not meant you
and Mr.. Vincent"
81 am no horseman" SAID Vincent;
"besides, | have some letters to write
which will take my entire morning.
If you have the leisure and inclina-
ton ] will ask you to take my place,
Mr. Ellis"
Mats heart throbbed violently.
IF Miss Carlisle has no objection. :"
None in the least. 1t is very kind
of you, ! am sure. | am an early
riser, Mr.. Ellis, and will not keep you
waiting. Good night"
Before the cocks began to crow in
the dawn of another day, Nat was up
and out at the stables giving direc-
| tions to the astonished groom. When
he led the horses round Miss Carlisle
had not yet appeared; but he had not
long to wait. The opening of the
door heralded her approach, and she
came out on the piazza in her grace
full habit lookingas fresh rs rose.
Nat bowed.
"You are punctual, Miss Carlisle"
"Punctuality is one of my hobbies"
she replied, with dulcet laugh. ooh,
what splendid horses, Mr.. Ellis 7
''I'm glad You like them
1--WE shall have grand ride"
Mr.. Vincent came down TO see them
Off AS he followed them out to the
horses lie said to Nat, half seriously;
'Be careful of my little girl, Mr..
Ellis. ! can't afford to lose her Just
yet, and that animal looks as if he
would like to break some ones neck.
And you, Sybil-dont presume too
much ON your former skill"
''Fomcr skill Now what do you
mean to nsnuate ?" she asked,
smiling.
OllN lliul NOll ulG OuI VI .
81 know | am, but Mr.. Ellis is not;
besides he can trust his own horses"
"There snot the slightest danger"
said Nat, as he took the bride while
Vincent helped Sybil into the saddle.
His little girl n' What did such q
| remark mean? Somehow, the
thought that Vincent was the lover of
| Miss Carlisle had not occurred to Nat,
but he saw now that it must be so.
"And Of course ii is nothing to me
If they are engaged" he said, men
tally.
But for all that, he did not enjoy
that ride quite as much as he thought
| he should. He was not q fool, how
ever, and so far from betraying to his
companion anything like a change in
his feelings, he even tried to conceal
it from himself.
They rode forMiles and miles along
the level road, anon racing their rsteeds
| till SybiPschecks glowed and her blue
eyes sparkled with excitement.
Mr.. Vincent was much concerned
| for your welfare,'h Nat veutured,
when, after asharp gallop, they were
walking their horses.
"Yes; he doesn't admire horses as
| do; but he is so good to Inc that l
wouldn't disobey him for the world.
Everybody likes Clarke; ! am sure
you will, Mr.. Ellis
Our hero was not quite 50 sure, but
he simply said:
"No doubt of it, Miss Carlisle" +"
And there the subject dropped.
Thai afternoon, when Nat found his
| mother alone, he asked:
"Do you know anything about tins
Clarke Vincent"
Nothing, except he pears to be n
nice sort of a young man." replied
Mrs. Ellis, busy with her pot plants.
''ls he not engaged to be married TO
Miss Carlisle?"
Like as not
"llave you any reason 10 think they
are engaged, mother?'
The old lady looked at him inno-
Gently over her spectacles.
81 notice they seem kind o familiar
like. Yes, | reckon they re engaged. T."
MAI Went out OF the house and down
to the river, whistling as gleefully as
if he were the happiest man on earth,
and the pang at his heart was utterly
ignored.
lie rode with sybil every morning
after that. On few occasions Vim
cent was induced to take his place,
but he was not fond of the sport, and
generally preferred TO let young
Ellis play the cavalier to the young
lady.
One of the sports resorted to during
those long summer days was that OF
fishing. A broad river flowed by the
rear of the house plentiiully inhabited
by the finny tribe, and the farmer
| ,1 4. s..l.