San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-10-19

the saddle as IL she had been IeaJh5PS-
weight.
"You do help one perfectlyw said Il
ma. "Thanks, Sir Philip"
He smiled, and, turning to the groom,
took from him dainty silver-mOunted rid
ing-whip, which he placed in Ilma's hand.
"Oh, Sir Philip"-the quick color rush.
ing to her cheeks-'why will you be so
kind! What perfect little beauty of
whip, which, am sure, by-the-way, shall
not have TO use much And the saddle
and bride are lovely. You have quite
bcggarcd me in words, but not in graft
tude."
"You forget that, if gratitude were due
to me from you, it would be more than
cancelled by mine to you for the honor
you do me in accepting my poor gifts"
With this gallant speech Sir Philip
vaulted into the saddle, and the two riders
took the road to the Larches.
Sir Philip saw in moment that lima
was practiced horsewoman. She sat her
steed well, and none put Il skillful rider
could have mastered Zuleika, who was
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 VI almost perfect silence
said
81 see you are mistress. 1 would not
for the world have any but such rider
as you are mount Zuleika."
"Was that" asked the girl, laughing,
"why you preferred to bring her with
your"
"Yes. / knew, of course, that you
were u crack horsewOman, OF l should not
have selected Zuleka; but forgive NE 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 a lady,"
"There is nothing to forgive, Sir Philip.
1t is very good of you to be so careful for
me. If had gone out the first time with
Roland, and Zuleika had bolted, he would
never have been able to catch her up. L
call his horse Tom monster-tit to draw
nine-pounder unaided"
sir Philip laughed at 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 a 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,
as they all rushed round her; and at the
same instant Sir Philip rode up.
"Well done, Ilma," he said; and then,
raising his hat, and bowling low to Mrs.
Sabine, he dismounted and went up the
terrace to greet her.
"That horse is fearfully wild, Ilma,"
observed Roland, while his sisters were
admiring Ilma's whip. care you sure you
can manage herr"
Ilma's laugh rang out like silver bell.
81 wish | was as sure of everything as l
am Of that" she replied. ''Steady, DEAR"
as Zuleika began capering about. "Oh,
Roland, you will Kill me- What has made
you timid all in mOment?"
81 shouldn't be timid for person 1
cared nothing about" said Roland, look
ing up at her earnestly.
''Iou can't care much for me in this
short time you know, Roland" responded
lima, perfectly unconscious of any deep
meaning in his words. "But, whether you
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 10 perform like service tor jamie
But, while lie was giving his sister the bril-
die, he kept his eyes fixed anXiOusly upon
Zuleika, who was curveting about evil
IDENTITY eager to be off. Hardly acknowl-
edged to himself, was an unworthy desire
in the young mans mind to find flaw in
Sir PniIip DarreIl's gift, to prove him
wanting i'll sufficient care for Ilma's safe
ty, while his own sOlicitude, if 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, "Zul, ika is terribly wild. l hardly
think she is safe for lima to ride"
For Il second Sir Philips naughty brow
contracted, and the blue veins on the tenn
pies stood Out-sure indications of Il quick
and passionate temper; but lie checked the
answer that rose to his lips, and replied
cody, though with some irony
81 think that know now 70 match horse
and rider, Sabine; there is no danger what
ever"
II hope not" said Roland shortly, turn
ing red.
70 this Sir Philip gave no answer. He
mounted in silence, and backed his horse
to llma's side. She had not heard what
had just passed, and was exchanging BAN
dinage with Rose and jamie.
"Never mind" she said; "Zuleika can
do without u flower-she is one herself"
essay rather" remarked Sir Philip,
"that she carries one already. What is
it? Are Rose and jamie haunting you be-
81 ia tI,nir