Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-08-21
mas own; and lima gave him her little

be unconventional. 1t is ever SO much
nicer 10 be introduced to some one by
hearing warning shout than by formal
introduction. Don't you think SO"
~ should If / were the warned and you
were the warner, Miss Costello; but it
was not with any very enviable feelings
that l saw you perched like fay upon
such treacherous ground" lie shuddered
eighty.
"But should not like to see you whirl.
ing down to the WEIR" said lima. "As 1t
happens, there is no harm done. Oh, you
dear old felloww
The last words were not addressed to
Sir Philip, but TO his horse, which had
walked forward sedately to join his mas.
ter. lima caressed the noble animal with
all of girls lavish fondness, laying her
soft cheek against the horses smooth neck,
stroking and patting him, and talking To
him Us II he were u Christian.
Sir Philip watched the beautiful group
OF girl and horse with feelings which he
could not have analyzed. lhna's conduct
would have been splendid acting in ill.,
ished coquettc; but she was no more co.
quette than the mountain-breeze. She felt
and acted like child, and had no more
idea Of winning Darrell's good opinion
than had the horse himself.
..Ile is noble creature" said Sir Philip
presently, .'thoush his own master praises
him. He is hall an Arab, and has been
my companion in many wandering
Faithful Hassan." he added, laying his
delicate white hand tcnderly on the ami
mals forehead; and the large soft eyes of
the Arab flashed back full Intelligence in-
10 his loved masters face.
IL have seen lots of beautiful horses"
remarked lima, "but never such beauty
as yours. How long have you had him!'
"Four years. l bought him in AleXan-
dria."
II knew that you had not had him
when you were last here" said lima,
laughing; "for last evening Zeph Heston
said you had ridden by OH black horse,
and my cousins were very much interest
ed"
"You will find that you cannot cross
road in this place without every one know
Ing It, and knowing why, or making rea-
son. All the village will be discussing
you over breakfast this morning, and they
talked about YOU all last evening. Ny COM
ing here was a tremendous event. Bah
country places are stupid, dismally stu
pidw
"They must be- and lima looked a lit
tie dismayed. 81 have never lived long in
the country"
81 know that. No one would ever take
you for provincial, Miss Costello. As
for me, | have not passed seven years Of
my life in this place" l am n citizen of
the world"
81 know that" said lima nodding.-
"They call me foreigner here"
"South country is foreign to Cumber-
land; and you don't speak like home
bred English girl. You have been more
used to foreign language than your own
that is the reason
"That is how you speak," said lima. 81
am no judge in my own case; but you
speak your words crsply as Italians do,
and the infections of your voice are not
English"
Darrell laughed, this Transatlantic girls
frankness was bewitching; he would not
have been at all surprised ii she had told
him that his coat became him, or that
she admired his rings. lie bowed and
thanked her for the compliments bestow-
ed.
Suddenly lima looked at her watch, and
then claspcd her hands in dismay.
ooh, Sir Philip, must hurry home to
breakfast. | am late already"
OF W III lcl ne tsCoIt YOU.
"And take you out of your way? Not
for worlds! There are no bears in these
woods, are there:"
Except Cumberland BEARS" said Oar
rell, with some bitterness; obut they are
harmless enough, poor clodhoppers. But
escort know is a fiction. VIII you grant
me the pleasure OF your company as long
as possible!"
ooh, yes, gladly! 1t is no favor, you
know. Why don't you come in to break
fast with u.s. Auntie is friend of yours,
you said"
There was flash in Darrell's eyes, and
n culver of his delicate lips which told of
pride and passion. Then he answered,
smiling
GLOW good of you TO make the sugges-
ton! l think | will act upon it,"
"Please do" said lima earnestly, think
ing of the terrible story Rose had told her
OF this man who was SO desolate, in spite
OF his ancient name and wealth.
The pleading upward look of the large
brown eyes, the soft, "Please do" were
magnets more powerful than she dreamed
of in her innocence. lie would have been
less than man who could have resisted
them, even though lie "read between the
lines" for Darrell knew that some one
must have told his young companion all
about the curse, and doubted not that she,
flouting it, only wanted, in her sweet
childish way, to make him happy.
"Can l say NO to such an applicant"
he said, passing his arm through his horses
bride as they moved forward.
81 hope you cannot" returned lima
"Ges! Oh, how nice that will be-that
is, if you would really like to come, Sir
Pnilip."
81 should like TO come above all things
else"
lima was quite satisfied, aud moved
along by her tail cavaliers side till they
came TO the Grange, where Molly the cook,
looking out of the kitchen window, was
not a little astonished TO see no less 4 per-
son than Dark Darrell himself advancing
with his horse along the path between the
Characteristics, with Miss lima by his
side
"Why, Jennie" she cried TO the house,
maid, "there's the lord; and If Miss lima
isn't talking away to him Is ii she'd ha'
known him all her liie-and she such
beauty too! Well away; sac may be