Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-09-18

uepfccatlng hhnu-
son, no-please don't! 1t is sure to
fall out; aud cannot bear 10 rob you"
"What Is freely given Is no robbery, IL
ma. Steady, Zuleika-keep steady, pref
~ one, while fasten itv
"Oh, wish YOU had not heard"' said
lima, a. Sir Philip bent down to fasten the
flowers In their place. "What will ''u do
without n butttOn-hole!"
al think / could live somehow" he
answered grayely, "eyen il my loss were
not-as in this case--an Unreasonable
gain"
"What very pretty speeches you do
make" said lima, sedately, her eyes dane
ing with fun--"as sweet rs the flowers
themselves! Thanks; you have fastened
them beautifully, and taken lot OF trouble
TO do it, | am sure"
"Nothing can be Il trouble that is done
for you, lima" replied Sir Philip, in II low
tone that only she heard
The words escaped him almost una
wares, and he was conscious Of something
In his voice which had not yet been pres
ent in it when he spoke 10 her. lie glanc-
ed quickly and earnestly at her face, and
saw that her color WAS little heightened,
and that there was "a hali-startcd look in
the large soft eyes; but that was all. lie
had struck no deep chord; or, if he had,
she did not know il herself.
Roland saw the transfer Of the flowers;
and the incident, triting in Itself, did not
certainly tend TO diminish his resentment
against its too fascinating hero. E'5.
though SIR Philip did not dispute Ilma's
society with him, but for nearly two miles
rode between Rose and jamie, while Ro-
land aud lima rode practically alone, yet
the young man was not soitened towards
his rival.
His rival Yes; Roland Sabine, though
lie had repudiated the accusation OF being
in love with lima Costello, admitted -
himself without reserve that he felt for
lima what he had never felt for any wo-
man before. 1t was true that in \ fashion
he had been in love three or four times
AT Cambridge he had even considered
himself engaged TO the sister Of u college
friend; but, when she returned bis pre-
sents and letters, with one from herself
announcing her marriage TO the Oldest aad
richest OF the dons, lie was rather morti-
fed 10 find how little his happiness WAS
affected by the event, and how impossible
it was Tor him 10 lose his interest in hunt
ing and his appetite for breakfast.
At the present time Roland flirted after
a fashion with Zeph Heston but he meant
10 evil by IL aud he would have been gen.
timely surprised TO discover that he had
made any deep impression Oh the girls
heart He had met her sometimes by ac-
cident, sometimes half by design on both
sides and had walked with her, and kissed
her when they parted; he had also given
her ribbons and trinkets. But all this had
been done without JOB IIeston's knowl-
edge; for, like his ancestor, job was not,
humble miller though he was, one TO bear
dishonor meekly; and Roland did not care
to incur the sturdy milIers wrath; be-
sides he did not care much about Zeph at
the best OF times, and just now he cared
less than nothing; for lima had complete
ly captiyated him.
OF course Roland did not reflect that
his nature and his Cousins were quite an
tagonistic, and that her training and edu-
cation had utterly untitled her for coun-
try life rs he understood it. They had not
a taste in common. She liked the country
in general poetic kind of way, she was
fond OF riding and boating and flowers and
birds. bit she had several tincJ declared
that she could not bear 10 live IL the coun.
try as her Cousins did. So Roland blum
dered on. and madly imagined that this
beautiful sprlte might be induced 10 think
of him rs a lover, if she could only learn
10 fear, If not distrust, Sir Philip Darrell.
Meanwhile lima, mot having the remotest
ideas of her cousins feelings, gave him
hundreds Of wounds from sheer careless
ness. She was about as wild as Zueika
herself. and horse and rider played rare
pranks.
"Bother your whcat-felds" said lima
To Roland, when he was trying 10 point
Ia. it,aap ~
cereal. "You'll never make farmer OF
me, Rol. l don't care for il one bit; am
not going 10 live in the country, you
know"
allow do you know, coz? You are vtTy
confident"
"Of course''-rasing her straight black
brows. al won't; that's all. Who's to
make me, Not uncle.''
"You might change your mind"
"les, when grass grows blue, and flow
ers head down." said lima perversely.-
"Now look, Rol. There is Connaby Fell,
isn't itl Will you have racer Tom
won't beat Zulekia."
They were riding ahead OF the other
three as Zuleika tossed up her head, sniff
fling the breeze from the open mOorland.
Sir Philip rode up to llma's side, and laid
his hand lightly upon her bride hand.
"Keep tight REIN" he said gently, as
the girl looked up at Aim with the sweet
bright smile she never gave to Roland. /
noticed that you were letting IL slacken a
little Just now; and Zuleika will he OF
like lightning il she gets her head"
"ThalLls," rephed lima, obeying him at
once.
Roland bit his lip hard. lie resented
Sir Philips interference where, rs he chose
to think, 1t was needless, seeing that he
himself was 10y llma's side.
"Why Darrell" he could not resist say
ing, ga good gallop will take some of the
mischief out of Zuleika.
"You forget" returned Sir Philip quiet
ly, "that there is deep ditch only short
distance ahead, OF which lima has never
heard; and, If Zuleika came OH II una
wares she might 20 into it instead of over
IT,"
"But she can leap it, can she not?" said
lima eagerly TO Sir Philip; while Roland
flushed holly and exclaimed
"You ought not to leap that ditch, lima
you are too confident"