The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-06-25

bright and piquant she looked in hcl
riding habit as sho drew rein beside
him.
'Sir Owl, I'm on my way to NEE
Miss Alice now; and while I'm gone
shall expect you to comb your hair
part it in the middle, put on q clear
collar, pin flower in your buttonhole,
and act very aesthetic and duke-like. >
And with merry laugh she rode
away.
For weeks after Alice Mays arrival
the house was filled with company.
Vane devoted himself almost entirely
to her, leaving Lottie to amuse herself.
At the frequent picnics Alice shone as
the chief star OF the occasion. She
might be gone all day, but returned
with her elegant costumes as perfect
as when she started, while Lottie would
lose her parasol and fan, and tear
great holes in her dresses, and came
home with her face and hands as black
us a gypsy's.
When Vane and Alice went riding,
Lottie would show off Floss and jump
hedges, thus provoking earnest re-
monstrance from Vane. Then the
brown-eyed witch rode faster than
ever, sending back gay pearls of laugh
ter to the dignified couple whom she
left to bring up the rear.
OF late Vane thought he detected o
certain recklessness in Lottie's freaks.
When going up the mountain, where
it was SO steep that he dism ounted to
lead Alice's horse, she galloped on,
putting whip to Floss, who rushed up
the rocky ascent, tearing up pebble
and turf, over wide chasms, and along
narrow ledges, where single misstep
would have hurled pony and girl down
to instant destruction.
Vane trembled; but to hide his
fears, he gave Alice his full attention.
One day he went into the library,
and found Lottie seated on the win
dow sill. She was unusually quiet.
She had been watching Alice, who,
with book in hand, was promenading
on the lawn below, under the shady
trees.
"She is very beautiful" said Vane,
looking towards the graceful figure.
81 wonder if she would marry me?"
"Vane Winton, haven't you asked
her yet?"
"Not yet. Perhaps l shall oday.
Do you think had better do SOP"
"Most certainly" And she ran off,
singing merrily.
In short time she was tearing
down the road on Floss at breakneck
speed.
After she had gone, Vane went out
to Alice.
"What ails Lottie?" the lady in.
luired.
"Lottie? I do not understand.
''As she passed me just few mo.
ments ago to mount her pony, 1 spoke
to her, Let me go, Alice May!' she
and 1 noticed tears in her
eyes. And then she rode off so reck-
Iessly that I am fearful she will put
Floss in bad temper"
Alice spoke lightly. but Vane's face
paled as he walked back to the house,
and waited anxiously for Lottie's re-
turn.
Presently he caught sight of Floss
being led slowly by strange man.
Then followed o carriage with two
men, one of whom held girlish fig.
nre in his arms.
'It took place down on the river
road," explained one of the men tc'
vane. "The girl was riding like the
wind when all at once the pony made
\ plunge, and the girl landed among
The rocks.
Mr.. and Mrs. Winton came hurry
ing out, and the greatest excitement
prevailed. They took Lottie into the
house, where it was ascertained that
one arm was broken, and several ugly
cuts and bruises had been received.
When Lottie opened her eyes, Vane
was at her side.
"Go away" she cried.
"Never, darling. for I love you'll"
elbow can you love me and marry
Alice?" she pouted.
"I am not going to marry Alice.
"Why. Lottie, can it be that you
are jealous?" said Alice, taking her
hand. "Vane and do not want each
other"
II was very jealous, confessed Lot.
tie, "but please don't 60 away" And
he did not. "When you spoke OF mar
rying Alice, I did not care what hap
pened to me-"
"But you refused me-" :.
"I know 1t, but only to tease you.
Just as soon as Lottie recovered
there was a quiet wedding, and Alice
was bridesmaid.