Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-03-03


"Look here, she cried, turning sharply
upon him, If you do not wish to make
me your everlasting enemy, never men,
ton that abominable Mrs. Chick again.
If I were in your place now 1 should
take a ride. Ii you do not, you'll have
to wander alone until breakfast time, for
positively won't amuse you.
Il dare say there's nothing better to
do" commented Jack, considering it is
just six now. Heavens, what an un-
earthly hour to get up.
He is going" unused Mary turning
when she had reached the front door,
to see him in the act of mounting his
horse. What piece of good fortune.
I'll just wait to see which road he takes,
and then I'll have my ride, side saddle
or no side saddle.
Two minutes later she was quite sat
isfied on the desired point, and fastening
to the stable she rather surprised Toby
by asking him to saddle Prince imme-
diately.
But, Miss Mary expostulated
the old man.
Il know" she put in with a quick
frown. "Beggars can not be choosers.
I'll manage with mans saddle this
morning. dare say won't tumble off.
You needn't speak about it, Toby. Ex-
plantations are always tiresome. Is
Prince ready? All right, I'm off then.
Don't forget about keeping quiet, like
dear man. Oh, Ill be careful; this is
really quite fine Well, Prince, my boy, ;"
she added to her horse, I'VE sha mt fol-
low MAZE, shall we? And l think you
will have to go little more carefully
than usual, else 1 may find myself on
my head in the road there, with some
thing broken in the bargain. This seat
isn't the steadiest in creation, or the
most comfortable either. Really it is
too bad of Toby to be so forgetful. A
little slower, Prince, please.
Prince appeared to understand, and
settled down into an easy canter. But
Mary still continued to shift uneasily in
her saddle and to make frequent re-
marks upon it's unpleasant qualities.
ut is no use, Prince, she said at last,
coming to standstill after about ten
minutes riding. Il must either sit on
this saddle the proper way or give up
riding altogether. I'd like to be a man
for about two hours. I will, too, as far
as I can. Prince, you don't see anyone
in sight, do you? Neither do I. And
there isn't likely to be, either, on this
road. SO here is for comfort, if not
safety, and a good long gallop."
No sooner had the words passed her
lips, than with dexterous motion she
slipped into the only position Intended
for the saddle she used.
Quite satisfied with this change, she
gave Prince the rein and galloped off,
serenely unconscious that there had
been a silent spectator ri her unusual
performance.
Jack had followed the road he had
first taken for some little distance, when
he came to broad pathway through a
woods. Wagons have been over this,
why not horse?" he soliloquized. I'll
try, anyway. 1t looks promising"
He did try it, penetrating for some
distance through the fresh, cool depths.
Presently he came to clearing, from
which the view was unusually fine. In
second he was off his horse, taking a
rough sketch of the landscape before
him. 1t was while engaged in this occu-
patton that he heard the sound Of an ap-
preaching horse, and looking out from
the trees, which effectually screened
him, he recognized Mary.
After her declaration that she could
not ride, he was slightly surprised, and
wisely decided not to let her know of his
presence. The next moment her change
of position converted his surprise into
CONSERVATION, and, scarcely able to
credit the testimony of his eyes, his
glance followed her down the road.
Heavens, what a girl" he solilo-
quized, as a vent for his feelings. "She
beats anything I ever came across. /
wonder what her grandfather would say
to see such an exhibition as that.
Wouldn't she lead any poor chaperon
dance? She believes herself unob
served, and I wouldn t dare to enlighten
her" :.
He endeavored to look unconscious
when he met her in the dining room an
hour later. :,
Fortunately perhaps, there was no
opportunity for conversation before Mr..
Willard joined them.
TO BE CONTINUED