Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-08-28

make up riding party, while the fine
weather lasts. DO you know any one you
would care TO ask 10 join uss"
Roland back his head.
"No, new.;omers are scarce H. these
parts. lima IL the first fof twenty years
ut least; and the last before her were only
farmers"
china will join us" said Sir Philip,
using the christian name quite mad, ert-
ently-probably merely catching IL from
Roland, possibly from subtle instinct 10
try TO think of her us .'only "A child"
But Roland did not like the dropping OF
the formal title. Wild and childike ~
lima was, she was not young enough TO DO
treated with such freedom on the strength
of "a mornings acquaintance, especially by
SO young a man rs Sir Philip Darrell. Sir
Philip could read what was passing in Ros
lands mnd-ior it was not easy to hide
anything from his obseryant eyes-but ho
gave not the slightest sign of having no.
ticed resentment which he hauShtily
considered "deuccdly COOL"
There was an awkward pause for few
seconds after Sir Philips words; for ev-
cry one knew that lima had no means of
carrying out her promise. Mrs. Sabine
glanced up at lima, d the girl nodded
laughingly.
"Sir Philip is so kind rs to give me q
mount" she said; and Is she spoke Il quick
heavy trown crossed Hollands brow.
GOA, then, you can rider" he observed
hastily.
"Why, Of course, replied lima, while
Sir Philip Darrell half smiled; "ii | could
not ride 1 should be thrown"
81 am afraid you would" said Sir Phil.
lip. al don't think there is very quiet
horse in my stables
"Iou must take care lima" and Mrs.
Sabine looked anXiously at her niece.
81 will look after her, MOTHER" said Ro-
land quickly; but lima shook her head.
"rhanks, Roland; | don't need COACH
ing. l am as much at home on horseback
a. on my feet"
"Can you jump"
"Yes," opening wide her great clear
eyes-"gates, ditches-anything PIl try
conclusions with YOU"
YOU'RE confident, Miss America. DO
you challenge all creation!"
"No, only you. l shouldn't have q
chance with Sir Philip"
allow do you know that?" asked OAR
rell, While Roland bit his lip hard.
''fhey told me you were 4 crack rider;
and could see by the way you rode this
JlOIHilb llidL YOU NtIc like u MeNlClu III
the saddle. And then see what u superb
horse you have"
"Roltnd rides twelve stone" observed
Rose; $50 lie has much more to carry than
Sir Pnilip."
Twelve stone against something under
one" said Sir Pnilip, laughing rs he glanc-
Cd from Roland's stulwart frame TO Ilma's
fragile-looking figure. ~ should think if
good breeze caught you, lima, YOU would
be blown away
"We'll prove that on the Fells," return
ed lima, laughing too, as they ali did; but
Roland little liked that there should be in
short time SO good an understanding
between Sir Philip Darrell and lovely III.
ina Costello.
Mrs. Sabine looked from Sir Philips
striking features to Rolaud's, aud then TO
llma's exquisite face, and then she SAID tc
herself
"Neaven avert that Darrell should think
too much of the child, or she OF him! And
yet he is but human, and sho not even
afraid"
The mother noted too how her son
watched lima aud listened TO her voice,
and her heart sank. Were the two men
equal IN worldly fortune, or Roland the
superior, he would have no chance of WIN
ming II young girls affection against Sir
Philip, even If the latter shoulI make no
deliberate attempt TO conquer.
TO RE CONTINIrPD