Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-08-29

temples: ner cheeks were an exquisite
rose color. her eyes like two snpphires
but both defiant and bashful; and. had
he known the truth. she was on the
brink of running away: for. now that the
excitement of the pony hunt was at an
end. she began to realize that at last
she was really face to face with her
much-dreaded cousin Miles. And now
came the critical moment: why was not
Gussie there to see?
I've got him at last" he cried cheer
fully, while still at some distance. "What
q cunning old beggar he Is. l think. "
| now being quite close to her and dofins
his hat, that you must be my Cousin
Esme. l." cOloring a little, but looking
at her steadily. "am Miles Brabazon."
Il suppose So" she returned. becom.
ing crimson, tossing away her imprOmptu
fan. but making no attempt whatever tc
shake hands. "Just lead him up to that
stone, will you; and hold him tight or he
| will bite" she added, rather cavalierly.
! He had fancied that a smile, a word OF
; thanks. would have rewarded his success.
But, NO. her eyes did not even meet his;
| all he beheld was an averted. disdainful
face.
MAY 1 not put you up?" he asked hum
bly,. -.
"Oh, no. 40. thanks" impatiently,
mounting as she spoke with nimble ease
and settling herself in the saddle.
docs he often play you these tricksT
he ventured to ask. taking. rs he spoke
q wisp of grass out of Jacky's reluctant
mouth, aud putting the reins in heI
hands.
"Yes, often" snappishiy.
! "And yet it does not cool your ardoI
for riding him?''
"Now very shortly. "And now. il you
will be SO good as to open the gate,
! shall be much Obliged" she added. with
ostentatious polteness.
| The gate was duly opened. and Jacky
! condescended to pace through. Miss Esme
bestOwing on her cousin a stately little
bow. evidently meaning TO part company
! with him then and there. But no such
idea was in Iacky's mind. He planted
his feet firmly together, as il were. rooted
himself in the soil OF the next field. and
positively declined to stir one step fur
ther. merely shaking his ears Gisapprov-
| ingly, and at last showing Il strong desire
| to lie down. 1t was a humiliating situa.
ton for Esme, and ludicrous in the ex'
treme. She could not honestly say, II
she had been asked on oath at the mo-
ment, which OF the two she hated most,
her cousin or the pony. There was o
twinkle in Miles eye that had not escap-
ed her; and, indeed. it was only by put.
ting a strong restraint upon himself that
he had been able to command his coun'
tenance. After a time compromise was
effected-Jacky was satisfied to proceed,
provided that he was gently and indui-
gently led by the bride. And in this way
the trio slowly left the fields and pro-
ceeded along the narrow lanes leading to
MIR. Hogben's farm.
Miles struggled braveiy to make con-
versation, about the weather, the beauty
of the country, and the lovely wild flow
ers in the hedges; but his well-meant eff
forts resembled monologue, until. by q
brilliant inspiration, he touched up the
delinquencies of Jacky, and then Esme
found speech; her pent-up indignation
broke forth.
"Odious, ungrateful, ugly little wretchl
Would you believe that he is twenty-four
years old. and has hardly a tooth in his
head?"
mo, indeed, 1 would not; he seems to
be as lively as two-year-old," delighted
that this fair and disdainfui divinity had
found voice at last.
Yes, tnat ne Is, anu his temper Is see-
ting worse every year. Would anyone
imagine that ages and ages ago.. when he
was being led out to be shot, along with
the old carriage horses and another pony.
l actually went down on my knees to
Mrs. Brabazon. l groveled to her, to
spare Jacky|
And did she?" inquired Miles, thought
lessly, eager to keep the ball Of conver-
uct;a, rnlltng INV nrico
did she? What q stupid question:
lifting her eyebrows contemptuOusly. III
he had been shot, how could he be here
now? But he was spared because ia
cobs said he had a lot OF work in him,
and he would do very well for carting.
You may let him loose now. thanks; he
knows there is no help for it, and that
he is going to Mrs. Hogben's.
ilO be cOntiQneuI