Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-06-11

superhumnn part you expect him to
play, he'll make a brave attempt to rise
to the occasion. I'm quite sure ]
shouldn't do it, though, for l fancy that
in gaining your demi-god you might lose
pleasant everyday acquaintance"
"Then I'll not do it, promise you;
pleasant acquaintances are not so plen-
tiful in Tregarthen that one can afford
to experiment with them, not even for
the sake of restoring n cherished IDOL
Having obtained Il foothold at "Thc
Laurels," Ringbrand made good use of
his opportunities; and as Hester came
to know him better she began to forgive
him for breaking the idol. AS Ludlow
had foretold, there was no limit to the
colonel's hospitality; and from stroll.
ing up to the plateau at irregular inter.
walls after supper, Ringbrand soon fell
into the habit of spending the greater
number Of his afternoons ut the home of
the Latimers, and Hester soon found
herself looking forward to his visit as
to something without which the day
would be incomplete.
One afternoon, when he had been in
vited to come at n certain hour, he
found Hester in riding-habit and hat,
and the colonel's boy leading two sad
died horses up and down before the
veranda steps.
I'm going to carry you horseback
riding, Mr.. Ringbrand," she said, run
ming down the steps to meet him.
He looked askance at the two thor
oughbreds, and tried to summon the
courage to say that he knew less than
nothing about horsemanship. I'm
afraid you'll find me sorry cavalier.
Miss Hester" he demonstrated.
"Oh, Pluto is gentle; anybody can
ride him." she rejoined, gathering her
skirt and standing beside her horse.
"Will you give me hand please?"
Having, in his stories, had frequent
occasion to describe the dexterous man
ner in which gentleman assists a lady
to mount, Ringbrand knew precisely
what was required of him; but, unfor-
tunately, the ability to portray dexter
ity in virile English does not necessarily
imply its possession by the artist He
took his place rather awkwardly beside
Hester and made a step of his hand,
holding it so high that she hesitated.
Just little bit lower, If you please"
she said, demurely, and his last shred of
self-possession took flight as he COM
piled. Since Miss Latimer was any
thing but ethereal, the first attempt
broke his hold and covered him with
confusion; putting his strength into
the next, he lifted so vigorously that
nothing but Hester's ready agility saved
her from falling out of the saddle on the
opposite side. 1t was too much for her
equanimity, and she burst into ring
ing laugh.
Ringbrand Strengthened up andwiped
the perspiration from his face. Il beg
your pardon-indeed do; told you
was but an Indifferent horseman," he
apologized.
"Please don't mention it," she said,
as soon as she could speak. "It's aw-
fully mean in me to laugh, but I couldn't
help it. shall have an immense respect
for your strength after this"
Ringbrand took Pluto's bride from
the grinning boy and tried to mount,
forgetting, in his embarrassment, that
well-trained saddle-horses are prone to
object to approaches from the wrong
side. He did not realize his mistake un-
til he had one foot in the stirrup and
was hopping about breathlessly in n
desperate endeavor to make Pluto stand
still long enough to enable him to spring
into the saddle; but with the knowl-
edge came sudden accessof obstinacy,
and he determined to succeed if it took
the remainder Of the afternoon. Hester
was convulsed with laughter, and it
was some moments before she could
find breath to suggest that Pluto was
unaccustomed to receiving his rider
form the off side.