Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-09-20

ing and netghing she clattered up the avenue, bringing Gurley out oS the house followed by Tom Holmes, who paused on the step with Mrs. Holmes in the doorway behind him.
 'Never mind," called back Gurlcy. "She Il let me catch her when she gctS over her fright. Something's frightened her"
 Likely story" exclaimed Tom Holmes. "I knew that mare'd have some trick, and now you see shes unhitched herself. Shall come and help you:"
 '.No," replied Gurley, laughing. II won't have you. shes just up here in u corner. shut tho door. Mrs. Holmes will catch cold"
 ''You better let mo help you," repeated Tom Holmes, with merry laziness, with drawing into the house as he spoke,
 We don't want you rolling about here in our way" responded Gurlcy "Ho, Bess; come here" he coaNed, walking towards his favorte, as the closing door wiped its tablet of light from the ground But as he approached he traced another figure beside Bess, holding the bridle. "I have her." said Phoebe.
 You didn't come out for that!' exclaimed Gurley.
 Here she is Hold tight to her bridle, Mir. Gurley." "Oh, Boss is Ro rpnawAy. At least, she wasn't before you put a premium on her capers 1 am obliged to her for bringing | you down stairs. May be I've been perse- | cutting you with calls lately. No" said Phoebe, earnestly. "Nol Take my arm back to the house, won't you' There's Il harrow or part of an old wagon-bed wrecked hereabouts, and the starlight is hardly strong enough for us to see it. know the bearings pretty well, though"
 ''Mr. Gurley, will you do a great, great service for met"
 Don't you know would do anything in the world for your But this is risky, so dangerous, l ought not to ask it. l want you to take | me to Mir Barkers. I am afraid to stay 1 herep'
 ! "Afraidl" said Gurley. There he stopped, without dwelling even in thought upon the l probable cause.
 ''You are not afraid of Bess, anyhow" he | observed, with slight laugh "Or her present saddle, either Will you ride her | and let me leadf'
 ''Oh, thank you"
 Mot at al I assure you. And I know you can mount from the hand That's it. | Are you at all comfortable nowl"
 "Yes," replied Phoebe. I feel safe al ready"
 ''She must learn to walk and she hates it." said Gurley, as they started, Bess giv- ing an impatient jerk at her rein. am having lady's saddle made. Psyche Fawcett offered me hers, but it Is hardly modern enough, so I'm having one made according to my notions. You said you'd ride with me. But scarcely expected we'd set out this way"
 Phoebe laughed.
 But I'm glad she hates to walk. When you go home. ride fast. There might Dc something on the road"
 "I did have an adventure below here, said Gurley, recollecting. ''Some fellow tried the prank of grabbing my bridle, but I marked him, and he'll probably get ex cused from chapel for few days"
 'What is that by the gatei" breatheC Phoebe, shrinking toward the horses neck
 ''Nothing but a bush"
 "Oh, yes; remember"
 ''Our eyes will soon be accustomed to tho dark. don't believe know the best route to Barker's. They live off the main road don't theyl"
 ''Yes, and if we turn into the woods here by the school-house there is Q sled roaC which will lead us"
 Into the woods near the school-house theJ accordingly turned The night air made far-away Geolian sound among tree limbs and beyond the Hollow, Guys dogs could b, heard barking at intervals.
 Phoebe covered once or twice again, bu the sentinel object ahead of them alway, proved tobe a stump instead of Thane. Sht glanced backward, suspectihg that he haC followed them; he had disappeared too sooI after Bess overthrow him to be far of. Al Gurley's and Bess' feet trod undisturbeC ahead, however, Phoebe's confidence re turned.
 l 'If you come to harm on my account