The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-02-27

HIN fihA III SH@oAA vi
his own conviction that the gift of au-
thorship was in him; when every fresh
disappointment only made him more de-
termined to succeed--if You could have
known him in those. days, you wouldn't
have thought him commonplace. And
even now, il you'll give him hint of the
superhuman part you expect him to
play, he'll make brave attempt to rise
to the occasion. I'm quite sure !
shouldn't do it, though, for fancy that
in gaining your dcmi-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 cherished idol"
Having obtained foothold at "The
Laurels," Ringbrand made good use of
his opportunities; and as Hester came
10 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 ut irregular inter.
walls after supper, Rmgbrand soon fell
into the habit of spending the greater
number of his afternoons at the home OF
the Latimcrs, and Hester soon found
herself looking forward to his visit as
to something without which the day
would be incomplete.
Cne afternoon, when he hid been in
vited to come at certain hour. he
found Hester in riding-habit and hat,
and the coloncl's boy leading two sad
died horses up and down before the
vcrarda steps.
lin going to carry you horseback
riding, Mr.. Ringbrand, she said, run
ming down the steps to meet him.
He looked askancc at the two thor
oughbreds, and tried to summon the
courage to say that he knew less than
nothing about craftsmanship. I'm
afraid you'll find me q 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 u hand please?"
Having, in his stories, had frequent
occasion to describe the dcXterous man
ncr in which u gentleman assists lady
to mount, Ringbrand knew precisely
what was required OF him; but, unfor-
tunatcly, 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 lis hand
holding it so high that she hcsitated
Just little bit lower, if you please
she said, dcmurely, and his last shred OF
sclf-posscssion took fight as he com.
piled. Since Miss Latimer was any.
thing hut ethereal, the first attempt
broke his hold and covered him with
confusion; putting his strength into
the ncXt, he lifted so vigorously that
nothing but Testers ready agility saved
her from falling out of the saddle on the
opposite side. 1t was too much for hel
equanimity, and she burst into ring
ing laugh.
Ringbrand Strengthened up andwipei
TIE perspiration from his face. II beg
your pardon-indeed / do; told you
was but an Indifferent horseman," hi
apologized. ~
please don't mention it," she said
as soon as she could speak. Its aw
fully mean in me to laugh, but couldn'
helpit. shall have an immense respec
for your strength after this"
Ringbrand took Pluto's bride from
the grinning boy and tried to mount
forgetting, in his embarrassment, tina
well-trained saddlc-horses are prone t.
object to approaches from the wront
side. He did not realize his mistake un
til he had one foot in the stirrup ant
was hopping about breathlessly in |
desperate cndcavor to make Pluto stant
still long enough to enable him to sprin;
into the saddle; but with the knowl
edge came sudden access of obstinacy
and he determined to succeed if it tool
the remainder of the afternoon. Heste
was convulsed with laughter, and i
was some moments before she coult
find breath to suggest that Pluto wa
unaccustomed to receiving his ride
form the off side.
"I-lknow-it isn't = customary,
gasped Ringbrand, making violent ef
forts to keep near the plunging ANNA
"but--I-usually- it-this way"
Just then his foot slipped out of tn
stirrup, and Pluto's enthusiastic and rt
proachful protests ceased. The discon
flied cavalier mopped his steaming fac
again, and beckoned to the boy.
Just hold him second, will you?
he said, and, backing away for shor
run, he vaulted into the saddle befor
the astonished charger knew what wa
happening.
bravo! bravo!" exclaimed Heste1
clapping her hands in delighted apprC
val. That was certainly origina
Where did you learn to vault, Mr.. Ring
brandt"
II used to do little of it at the un
versity," he replied, modestly forbeal
ing to add that he had held the recor
for the running high jump in his elias
"Do-do gentlemen usually noun
that way in New York;" she inquired
innocently.
Il can't say they do-not'always," h
responded, as they ambled down th
long avenue and turned into the mouI
tain road. "Now that you speak of i
I'm not sure that ever saw anyone q
it in just that way-at least not outsid
Of a circus"