People's voice., 1899-07-20

What a ridiculous idea! Poor Hugh!
he'd be broken-hearted If he knew how
sadly he had failed to realize your
ideal"
There it is again, you see. An author
my author-ought to be so far above
common things that he wouldn't care in
the least what foolish girl thought or
said about him"
Mrs. Ludlow smiled. "If you knew
him. as well as l do-if you could have
seen him when he was struggling for
recognition, with everything against
him and no encouragement outside Of
his own conviction that the gift of au-
thorship was in him; when every fresh
disappointment onlymade 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, if you'll give him hint of the
superhuman part you expect MIN to
play, he'll make 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
a pleasant everyday acquaintance"
Then III not do it. l promise you;
pleasant acquaintance are not so plen-
tiful in Tregarthen that one can afford
TO experiment with them, not even for
the sake of restoring a cherished idol"
Having obtained a foothold at "The
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
coloners hospitality; and from stroll
ing up to the plateau at irregular inter
vals after supper, Ringbrand soon fell
into the habit of spending the greater
number of his afternoons at 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 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 a sorry cavalier,
Miss Hester" he demonstrated.
''0h, 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 a gentleman assists lady
to mount, Ringbrand knew precisely
what was required of him; but, unfor-
tunately, the ability to portray dexter
fly in virile English does not necessarily
imply its possession by the artist. He
took his place rather awkwardly beside
Hester and made 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 fight 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 sready 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 and dwiped
the perspiration from his face. II beg
your pardon--indeed do; l told you
was but an Indifferent horseman," he
apologized.
please don't mention it" she said
as soon as she could speak. Its aw.
fully mean in me to laugh, but l couldn't
helpit. Ishall 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 tC
object to approaches from the wrong
side. He did not realize his mistake un
til he had one foot in the stirrup anC
was hopping about breathlessly in {
desperate endeavor to make Pluto stanC
still long enough to enable him to sprins
into the saddle; but with the knowl
edge came a sudden access of obstinacy
and he determined to succeed if it tool
the remainder of the afternoon. Hester
was convulsed with laughter, and il
was some moments before she coulC
find breath to suggest that Pluto wa.
unaccustomed to receiving his ride
form the off side.
"I-know-it isn't - customary,
gasped Ringbrand, making violent eff
forts to keep near the plunging animal
"but-I-usually-do it-this way"
Just then his foot slipped out of tn,
stirrup, and Pluto's enthusiastic and re
proachful protests ceased. The discom
fited cavalier mopped his steaming fac,
again, and beckoned to the boy.
"Just hold him a second, will YOU p
he said, and, backing away for a shor-