Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-07-01
P XXXvII.-.ZOE.


do.
CHAPTER XXXvIL-ZoE.
Amy Linwood arrived the next morning,
and the party at the Leigh was now com.
plete. At luncheon a ride was proposed,
n obtained the suffrages Of the whole
party, only Lady Elinor and Mrs. Langley
electing to take q drive in the pony-car-
rage instead.
81 am wild to try Zoe" said Valerie,
turning to Amy. "She is such n geml i
saw her this morning"
"And very spirited, isn't she2" asked
Amy. II should be afraid to ride her"
"We have a beauty for you, Miss Lin.
wood" interposed Colonel B~eauregard,
zone that will just suit you. I can guar
antee her docility."
"And l will look after YOU" whispered
Hal Dallas, who was on Amy's other side.
"~Thanks!" she retorted, though she col
ored n little, 81 can take care of myself"
Angela, who was an accomplished horse
woman, was to ride another of "the three
lovely Cummings" She had coveted Zoe.
but 1t was only to be expected that the best
OF the three Arabs should be reserved for
guest, Angela standing or the familiar
footing of a family connection.
A splendid group of horses they wera
that were led out on the sweep before the
southwest terrace. Prince, the glossy bay,
whom his master loved so dearly, and had
loved yet more since one aforementioned
day; and Zoe, who was in wild spirits, Civ.
ing her groom no small trouble to hold herr
Dahlia, Angela's horse, more quiet, but
spirited enough for most riders-these
three carried off the palm of beauty. But
the Beauregard stables were famous, and
never turned out a steed that was not q
delight to the lovers of horses.
Valerie was one Of the first out on the
terrace, looking bewitching in a dark blue
habit, with a cavalier hat and plume, q
blush rosebud in her b%uttonhole. Colonel
Beauregard, Lord Westbrook and Dallas
were down below with the horses. Mrs.
Langley. standing with Lady Elinor on
the terrace, looked a little anxiously Mt
Zoe, and, as Valerie stepped through an
open window, her aunt turned to her, and
said:
CAR you not afraid to mount Zoe, Va,
lerie? She seems very wild"
Beauregard had glances up, seeing the
girl the instant she appeared. He would
have seen her if his back had been turned.
He called TO her now:
Come down and speak to Zoe, Valerie"
And she answered her aunt, quickly:
mo; why should | be afraid2" and ran
down the terrace steps.
1.-The darlingl' she said, softly patting
the mares arching neck, and Zoe whinnied
and coquetted in exceeding delight, as If
she knew a queen Of beauty was caressing
her.
"She Is In wild spirits" " said Beauregard;
"are you sure you don't feel timid? Ihave
no fear Of you, for / know both you and Zoe
but If you feel nervous"
II n~ervousg" said the girl, laughing. 81
am not in the least, indeed. Besides, II
you said Zoe was safe, that would be
enough"
Gwen" Beauregard could not help say.
ing, "if you did not yourself think heI
II should know / was wrong, answered
Valerie, feeling that this reply only covered
half the truth.
She would simply trust Max Beauregard
blindly.
Thanks for your faith in my Judgment"
was all he said.
Valerie turned to Prince, who was
stretching out his head toward her, rs II
asking for notice. If there had been no
one by, the girl would have thrown her
arms round the animals neck and kissed it
many times, for the sake of that memora
BILE ride, and because Prince belonged to
Max loved him. But now she only stroked
him gently, showing him less affection
than she had shown Zoe.
IN. oNlA. xs1o., 49,, 1900 49,, @~l
Colonel Beauregard left Lord Westbrook
to mount Valerie, and lifted Angela to
her saddle, q proceeding which scarcely
pleased Mrs. Dudley, but certainly did
please Angela.
But before mounting his horse, Max went
up to Valerie.
Keep a tight hand on her." he said.
"When we come to the common you can
give her her head-soh, Zoe-you know
you have q great trust, don't you, my grip
The animal turned to him with a caress-
ing movement, and q loving look in her
great soft eyes, that seemed to answer lin;
II know how dear my rider is to you. ]
will take care Of her-trust met"
And Valerie said, half carelessly:
"Oh! Zoe and I will soon understand
each other"
But something in Max B~eauregard's tone
when he spoke to the horse-less than the
words-made her heart throb fast.
II am sure Of thatv' SAID he, and mount
ed his own horse.
They swept down the drive, n gallant
party; Valerie riding with Lord Westbrool
on her right hand, and Major Travers or
her left; Beauregard between Mrs. Dudley
and Angela Musgrave; Hal Dallas and Amy
Linwood together; at which latter arrange
ment Max smiled to himself, and Mrs
Dudley presently observed, as they entered
the park:
"Mr. Dallas admires Miss Linwood,
think-don't you, Colonel BeauregardP"
II hope he does" was the reply, "ant
/ hope Miss Linwood reciprocates the ad
miration-for Dallas sake!'
"And for her own!' added Mrs. Dudley
81 like Mr.. Dallas so muchr'
al am glad to near you say so with suct
frankness," observed Beauregard.
"Whyi" said she.
WHY Can you ask7 1t may save m,
from quarreling with my best friend"
Don't talk NONSENSE said the pretty
widow, though she colored and tossed hel
head coquettishly.
Nonsense" with a half-reproachful look
In the brilliant hazel eyes; ''is that the way