The morning call., 1891-05-30
HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
i'll K.

81 never heard that equestrianism was
considered an unfeminine accomplish
ment," remarked josie to her aunt. Mrs.
Walton, demurely.
''P'raps not; but to 60 tearin' around the
country at the rate you do is. It's not only
that, but you must jump the rope and climb
trees and go rowing On the bay, just like
man"
"WeI, Aunt Hester, It's good for my
health" protested her niece, and as to the
latter accomplishment, [ am only emulating
Ida Lewis, and people call her heroine
and not a tOmboy."
"WeH, there's no use talking to you, for
you always find some kind of an answer to
all say" remarked Aunt Hester. with a
sigh OF resignation; only l do wish you'd
leave of these pTankS for awhile and act
little proper, for I'm sure Mr.. CARLYLE would
admire you very much if you'd only
only"
'Only resolve yourself into an animated
'propriety' machine or fashion plate, sup
plemented willful Josie. NO, thank you,
Aunt Hester. If ! can't win his gracious
favor in propria persona, l can exist very
comfortably, not to say agreea0ly, without
it."
Some months previously Mr.. Harold Car
lyle. a particular friend OF the good old
lady. had come down to pay her visit, the
duration of which had since been length
ened indefinitely. From the moment his
eyes fell urOn the bright, piquant face and
supple, girlish figure Of his friend'S ward
and niece he had been attracted by it, and
Aunt Hester noted the fact with unalloyed
and ill-conceaIed delight it having been a
pet project Of hers from the first to make
match between them.
But Mr. Carlyle although very excel
lent and estimable gentleman in many re-
Spects, had been brought up in the very
best society, and had a strong sense OF what
are termed the ''prOpTeties," and when he
came upon Josie one day, perched IN the
crotch Of an apple tree engaged IN inspect
ing DESERT birds nest, 1t had given him
quite shock, and seriously impaired his
former high opinion Of that young lady. he
had uttered his TemOnStTances-not 10 her,
however, but 20 Aunt Hester
There was q decided GOODNESS between
them for several days and Mr.. Carlyle re-
solved to try a new tack. He would Guilt
vate her society more; keep her oftener at
his side and little by little, perchance, win
her over 10 his way Of thinking.
u" May / have the pleasure Of your CON-
pany this afternoon for a drive, Miss
JOSEF" he asked one day as she was about
fitting away after dinner.
Josie besitated moment and then looked
up with malicious smile
." Well, yes, if you won't consider dignity
compromised by The society Of such tom-
boy, Nh CARLYLE"
81 will risk it," he replied quietly. 81
shall hold the Teins this time"
The jaunt progressed very pleasantly for
a time. Mr. Carlyle eXerted himself to be
unusually agreeable and as ne after while
dropped the tone of patrOnizug superiority
that he was apt to assume toward her
J0sie'S manner warmed into genuine cor
duality, atfOTding him an opportunity to dis
cover that her mental end0WmeatS KEPT very
creditable pace with her physical accom-
plshments. In short they made greater
advances into each others acquaintance
that day than they ever had before and
we're in very amiabie mood toward each
other when they at last turned their course
hOmeward.
They had gone about two-thirds Of the
way back when the horse, taking fright at
something in the road, set of on a gallOp.
For a few rods Josie watched her c0mpan-
ion in the vain attempt to hold him in, and
then, with a half smile on her lips, despite
the danger, she touched Mr.. Carlyie's arm.
You had better transfer the reins to me-
for a few moments, Mr.. Carlyle. Robin is
the most SklttlSh of our horses, but l am
used to managing him, and l think ne will
yield to me more readily than TO stran-
ger"
But Mr. Carlyle returned a very decided.
though slightly nervous, negative 10 that re-
quest. He rather prided himself upon his
skill with the reinS, and the idea of sub
hitting 20 mere girl was not to be thought
Of. But Robin plunged and reared with
undated yehemence and perVersity, and
finally made sudden sWeTYe to one side,
striking the carriage against large stone
with such violence as to Overturn it COM
pIetely.
Josie, who had been anticipating it for
some minutes, managed to reach the ground
unhuTt but her companion was less fOTtu-
nate; and as Josie regained her feet aud
hurried 20 his assistance, she found that he
had broken his arm. At the same moment
a strange sound came TO their ears; and
raising her affTighted face, Josie perceived
an immense dog coming directly toward
them, with wild. excited leaps.
a glance told her that the dog was mad
another, that Mr.. Carlyle lay directly in the
path from which there would be no time to
remove him ere the savage creature would
be upon them.
For a single instant her cheek blauched,
then with quick bound she placed herself
in front Of her companion.
With lightning Tapidity she drew her
pistol, and not moment too soon. But the
young hand never falteTed, though her face
was rs pale as death-the bullet went
straight on its eTrand, and the Infatuated
animal fell with its fOam-cOVeTed lips Just
touching the hem of her dress.
Iherew she exclaimed, half hysterical
good tor weeks practicew then turning
10 her companion, she added: " You had
better lay here until | go for help; for I'm
afraid you're too weak from the shO k to
walk that far. Keep uD your couragei I'll
be back in 10 minuiesW she cried, with a
wave OF her hand; and in a moment the
bright little f[ure vanished from sight
while poor Carlyle went of in most I'M
mistakable and unheroic sw0on.
The next thing he knew several faces
were bending over him, foremost of which
was JOsie's, tender and pitiful.
A litter was hastily constructed and th e
unfortunate man carefully carried the re-
naming distance, which was not far, he in
sisting that they should stop with him no
where else.
Aunt Hester was greatly surprised, of
course, and as soon as practicable demanded
recital of the affair.
Mercy alive, childl how did You ever
manage to do it?" she exclaimed, all in a
tremble.
81 don't know what we should have
done, II hadn't been such tombOy as to
be able to FIRE a pistol and ride bare
back, Josie responded, with a miSchiey-
Gus smile.
Aunt Hester had no answer to give, but
Mr.. Carlyle had; when as soon as he could
get about again he surprised her one day by
catching her in his arms and asking her to
give him the life she had so brayely risked
for his sake.
What when I've proved myself such a
tomhOy?" she asked, teasingly.
You have proved yourself such dear,
heroic girl that-I feel my life would be I'M
measurably poor and barren without Won.
viii you enrich it with your love, Josie,
darling?"
And looking into her heart, Josie could
ind no answer for him there but "yes. -
Boston Globe.
CUSTER'S WIDOW