, 1897-04-17

ed to tighten her saddle-girths, and she
was alone. How should Lovat have
guessed that she had seen him coming
ere she had slipped to the ground. and
that she was purposcIy goading her
placid black steed to be dnmanngsable!
He came to her aid with an ALLOW me
to be Of service" which she answered
with a You are very good. thank YOU
You should not be away off here
alone. Miss Chamberlain" he said.
81 know it."
at is not safe"
Il am so tired Of being safe" Her
There was no suggestion in it of I'M
feminine rebellion. And Lovat. who
had not heard the voice Of a gentlewo-
man for many, many months, was pleas
ed-well pleased.
Il only trust you may never learn to
know, as most women do, what it means
to be tired OF not having been safe"
Then he mounted her and put the
reins in her long. slender hands. He had
seen no long. slender hands, either, in
many. many months.
When he, too, was mounted. he rails
ed his sombrero. Good morning, Miss
Chamberlain" he said.
But Miss Chamberlain had no mind
that it should end thus. Her narrow
black eyes looked at him innocently.
Weren't you going to town."
Lovat hesitated.
Il know you were. Come"
'Oh! if you don't want to. you need
mt" she said, gently aggrieved. She
was always gentle.
Miss Chamberlain! You know it is
not that"
Then why don't you Gomez"
Your father would not be pleased, to
be quite frank"
wouldn't he? Why?"
Lovat looked at her searchingly. He
suspected guile behind such unnatural
innocence. but the sweet questioning of
ler saint-like face treasured him. He
did not answer. but turned and rode
with her. They talked of many things,
for Miss Chamberlain was a clever and
accomplished little person; and at last
they spoke of music. Miss Chamber
lain knew nothing o. it.
What a PITY" Lovat calculated.
"Why?' The word. so constantly on
her lips, vas a very cabalistic charm,
and feminine.
You lock like one. You'd be perfect
at a harp, you are so tall and exceed
ingly slight, and you've the face OF a
Saint Cecilia"
We'll, I'm not a musician and I'm not
a saint. Saints never have black eyes"
But, alas. he thought now that they
had. because of the soft voice and the
picture-face and the little, chiseled feat
ures and the parted, low-knotted hair:
and also because he had known no wo-
nan like her for many, many months.
And before they parted, they had
planned to meet again. She did it. but
he didn't notice that. They met once
and again, and yet again and again, and
Lovat was in love. Then, indeed, he tru-
ly regretted the barrier he had built be-
tween himself and this girl, who was
innocently risking eyerything-perhaps
her life, for her father was a fiery man
for him. 1t had taken him only a
dozen years to construct between him.
self and any good woman he might real
ly love 4 wall that in all his days could
never be RACED. He decided finally that
the only course that would be fair to
her and easiest for all would be an open
one.
They sat together on the shady side
OF a low hill, late n day.
Constance" he said, I'm going to
ask your father to let you marry me. if
you are willing to-"
The bright color faded from her
cheeks.
Don't say you aren't willing" he
cried.
She still said nothing whatever.
Are you, Constance?"
YES"
Then why did you get SO pale?"
81 don't know. Did II"
She cried a little and said she was
very happy and that she would marry
him, eyer if her father would not con-
sent. But don't ask him till after the
races, will you?"
Two weeks!-a whole fortnight!
Why?'
Because"
VERY we'll"
He did not see her again before the
races. She sent him a note saying that
she did o dare to meet him, that her
father had forbidden the long rides
alone. She would yea his colors at the
track. For Lovat was to ride. So were
several of the officers. 1t was a gentle
mans race. The cup was given by the
garrison women.
Lovat won it. He and the officers
went into Miles City to rejoice. Some
were in a blackboard, some, with their
wives, in the ambulances, most on
horseback. He rode with these latter
and watched Miss Chamberlain, who
was ahead on the road, riding with
Lieutenant Carrot. She had not worn
his colors; though, to be sure, she had
worn none Mt all. LOyat had kent stu