Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-09-18
Dark DarreIl's Bride,
CHAPTER VII.

NO change had come over Sir Philip
DarrelPs mind when he rode over from
the Court to the Grange, with mounted
groom following, leading Zuleika, who
was provided with new saddle aud bride.
But Sir Philip had not said to himself, 81
will WOO lima; L will try to make her love
me-" There was no such definite thought
as yet, only the fierce defiance Of the fate
which forbade him to love, only the de-
termination not to yield her up. bearing
him steadily EDWARDS to the fulilment he
was putting from him.
lima was quite ready when the horses
drew up before the door; aud she came
out to meet Sir Philip OH the threshold In
a close-ftting riding-dress aud plumed
Spanish hat that made her look, IL posi-
bic, more witching than ever.
al hope L have not kept you waitingi"
said Sir Philip, smiling. al am punctual,
1 thinkH
$40 the minute. am only just down.
You won't mind not seeing auntie, will
you! Sue has headache, and is not out OF
her room yet. Jennie" to one Of the SER
vants-"where is my riding-whip? Run
and fetch 1t, please. 1t is ia my room, 1
think"
al hope" said Sir Philip, as he led his
companion out, that Miss Durnford's head
ache is only slight one:"
eyes, thanks; it will go Off presently
She often has them, she tells me, and they
never last"
Sir Philip lifted the slender figure, and
with practiced skill swung the girl into
The saddle as If she had been u feathers
weight.
"You do help one perfectlyp said IL.
MA. "Thanks, Sir Philip"
Tie smiled, and, turning to the groom,
took from him dainty silver-mounted rid
lng-whip. which he placed in Ilma's hand.
"Oh, Sir Philip"-the quick color rush
Ing to her cheeks--"why will you be so
kindi What perfect little beauty or
whip, which, am sure, by-the-way, shall
not have to use muchl And the saddle
and bride are lovely. You have quite
beggared me in words, but not In graft
tude."
"You forget that, IL gratitude were due
to Inc from you, 1t 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 q practiced horsewoman. She sat her
steed well, and none put skillful rider
could have mastered Zuleika, who was
som pletely under the control Of the girls
hrm but gentle hand. lima was enrap-
tured with the mare, and Sir Philip after
riding for while " almost perfect silence
Iaid-
al see you are mistress. 1 would not
for the world have any but such rider
~ you are mount Zuleika."
"Was that" asked the girl, laughing,
"why you preferred to bring her with
you"
ayes. knew, OF course, that you
were n crack horsowoman, or 1 should not
have selected Zuleika; but forgive ne If 1
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 a lady's riding, sho
has never yet been ridden by u lady"
"Tbere is nothing to forgive, Sir Philip
It Is very good Of you to be so careful for
me. IL had gone out the first time with
Roland, and Zuleika bad bolted, he would
never have been able to catch her up. 1
call his horse Tom q monster-1t to draw
. nine-pounder unaidedp
Dir Philip laughed at this piece Of youth
full exzggeration; and so, chatting, they
rode In the sunlight and under the spread
/ Ing boughs of larch and elm, till they
eamo 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 n swift canter,
pulling up the mare In such splendid style
close by the steps that cry OF admiration
greeted the feat.
uIsn't she dariingt'' said lima, bend
Ing from the saddle, flushed aud laughing,
rs they all rushed round her; aud At the
same ips' INT Sir Philip rode up.
"Well done, lima" he said; and then,
raising his hat, and bowling low to MIRA.
Sabine, he dismounted and went up the
terrace to greet her.
"That horse Is fesrfuliy wild, lima"
observed Roland, while his sisters were
admiring llms's whip. "Are you sure you
can manage herr"
Ilma's laugh rang out like q silver bell.
al wish 1 was As sure Of everything rs
am Of that" she replied. "Steady, dear"
AS Zuleika began capering about ..Oh,
Roland, you will kill mel What has made
you timid all In moments"
al shouldn't be timid for n person
cared nothing about" said Roland, look
/
"You can't care much for me ia this
short time you know, Roland" responded
lima, perfectly unconscious Of any deep
ssaning In his words. "But, whether you
do OF not. you need not pull a 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 to perform u like service for JAMIE
But, while he was giving his sister the brL
die, he kept his eyes fixed anxiously upon
Zuleika, who was curveting about evil
IDENTIFY eager to be of Hardly acknowl-
edged to himself, was AN unworthy desire
In the young mans mind to find flaw In
Sir Philip Darrelps gift, to prove him
wanting in sufficient care for Ilrna's safe
ty, while. his own solicitude, IL even over
anxious, would shine by contrast.
"Sir Philip" he said q little abruptly
to the Baronet, who, having attended TO
Rose, was now turning away to his own
horse, nZuleika Is terribly wild. 1 hardly
think abe Is safe for lima to ride"
For second Sir Philips naughty brow
contracted, aud the blue veins OIL the tenn
pies stood out--sure indications Of n quick
and passionate temper; but he checked the
mswer that rose to his lips, and replied
cody, though with some irony
Ell think that know how to match horse
| and rider. Sabine: there Is nofdanger what