Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-05
CHAPTER XXXNII.-ZOE.

Amy Linwood arrived the next morning,
and the party at the Leigh was now com
plete At luncheon ride was proposed
and obtained the SURFACES of the whole
party, only Lady Elinor and Mrs. Langley
electing to take drive in the pony-car
riage instead.
Il am wild to try Zoe," said Valerie
turning to Amy. ''She is such a geni
saw her this morning"
land very spirited, isn't she?" asked
Amy Il should be afraid to ride her.
1--WE have a beauty for you, Miss Lin
wood" interposed Colonel Beauregard
lone that will just suit you. l can guar
antee her docility."
And | will look after you" whispered
Hal Dallas, who was on Amy's other side
''Thanks!' she retorted. though she col
ored little, 81 can take care of myself"
Angela, who was an accomplished horse
woman, was to ride another of ''the three
lovely Cummings" She had coveted Zoe,
but i was only to be expected that the best
of the three Arabs should be reserved for a
guest, Angela standing on the familiar
footing of a family connection.
A splendid group of horses they We're
that were led out on the sweep before the
southwest terrace. Prince, the glossy bay,
whom his master loved SO dearly, and had
loved vet more since one ever-remembared
day: and Zoe, VINO was in wild spirits, Civ
ing her groom no small trouble to hold her;
Dahlia, Angela's horse, more quiet, but
spirited enough for most riderS-these
three carried off the palm of beauty. But
the Beauregard stables were famous, and
never turned out a steed that was not a
delight to the lovers of horses
Valerie was one of the first out on the
terrace, looking bewitching in a dark blue
habit, with a cavalier hat and plume, a
blush rosebud in her buttonhole. Colonel
Beauregard, Lord Westbrook and Dallas
were down below with the horses Mrs
Langley, standing with Lady EliEOr on
the terrace, looked little anXiously at
Zoe and, as Valerie stepped through an
open window, her aunt turned to her, and
said
Are you not afraid to mount Zoe, Va
lerie? She seems very Wild
Baauregard had glanced up, seeing the
girl the instant she appeared. He would
have seen her if his back had been turned.
He called to her now:
Come down and speak to Zoe, Valerie"
And she answered her aunt, quickly:
mo; why should | be afraid?" and ran
down the terrace steps.
"The dariingr' she said, softly patting
the mares arching neck, and Zoe whinnied
and coquetted in exceeding delight, as if
she knew queen of beauty was caressing
her.
''She is in wild Spirits" said Beauregard:
'are you sure you don't feel timid? have
10 fear OF you, for | know both you and Zoe
hint if Won feel neryOuS-D
Il nervous?" said the girl, laughing. 81
am not in the least, indeed. Besides, if
you said Zoe was safe, that would be
enough"
'Even," Beauregard could not help say
ing, eff you did not yourself tbink her
safes
81 should know was wrong" answered
Valerie. feeling that this reply only covered
half the truth.
She would simply trust Max Beauregard
blindIy
Thanks for your faith in my Judgment"
was all he said.
Valerie turned to Prince, who was
stretching out his head toward her, as if
asking for notice. If there had been nc
one by, the girl would have thrown her
arms round the animals neck and kissed it
BILE ride, and because Prince belonged to
Max and had borne him in battle, and
Max loved him. But now she only stroked
him gently, showing him less affection
than she had shown Zoe.
The other riders now came down, and
Colonel Beauregard left Lord Westbrook
to mount Valerie, and lifted Angela to
her saddle, proceeding which scarcely
IL, ,i,,1r- IL n
please Angela.
But before mounting his horse, Max went
up to Valerie.
Keep a tight hand on her." he said
''When we come to the common you can
give her her head-soh, ZOe-yOu know
you have great trust, don'ty you, my girl?"
The animal turned to him with caress-
ing movement and loving look in her
great soft eyes that seemed to answer him:
Il know how dear my rider is to you. !
will take care of her-trust mer'
And Valerie said, half carelessly:
oh! Zoe and l will soon understand
each other"
But something in Max Beauregard's tone
when he spoke to the horse-less than the
words--made her heart throb fast.
Il am sure of thatr' sad he, and mount
Sel HIS own HORSE.
They swept down the drive, a gallant
party; Valerie riding with Lord Yves brook
on her right hand, and Ms jo3 Travers on
her lef, Beaures ard between Mrs. Dudley
| and Angela Musgrave; Hal Dallas and Amy
LinwOOd together; at which latter arrange
ment Max smiled to himself, and Mrs
Dudley presently observed, as they entered
the park:
''Mr. Dallas admires Miss Linwood,
think-don't you, Colonel Beauregard?"
Il hope he does" was the reply, land
l hope Miss Linwood reciprocates the adj
| miration-for Dallas saken'
And for her own!' added Mrs. Dudley.
81 like Mr. Dallas so muchr'
81 am glad to hear you say so with such
| frankness," observed Beauregard.
"Why?" said she.
"Why? Can you ask? 1t may save me
| from quarreling with my best friend"
II on't talk nonsenser said the pretty
widow, though she colored and tossed he1
head coquettishly.
''Nonsense!" with a half-reproachfull look
in the brilliant hazel eyes; sis that the way
you receive my devotion?''
Your devotion is only skin deep, Colonel
| Beauregard. You soldiers are not to be
trusted"
Il protest. No, will turn to Angela
she is more merciful."
"What about?" said Angela, who had
not caught all the foregoing, but did not
| much mind gallant speeches to Lilias Dud-
| ley; it was not the widow she feared.
"In your judgments. Mrs. Dudley will
not believe a soldier can be trusted-wilI
you?"
SIN les dfdires du coeurt'' returned Lady
Angela: certainly not"