Abilene weekly reflector., 1900-09-06
acquaintance under sub circumstsncea

l used my whip unsparingly, but b
10 purpose. Darling would not bulge
In the meantime the rider appeared
1t the turning and greeted the young
lady pleasantly enough, though he
glanced at me disapprovingly.
"Pray introduce yourcompanion. he
said sharply. Miss Van Deemen turned
purple and looked reproachfully at me
II don't know the gentleman, she
stammered. He happened to be riding
in the same direction as l."
"Purely accidental" repeated. bow,
Ing. inwardly praying that the earth
would open up and swallow me.
'lndeedl" said the gentleman, and
deliberately turned his back upon me-
'Permit me to accompany you, Miss
Van Deemen," l heard. as l bent low
over Darling's neck. apparently alb
sorbed in a saddle buckle,l heard them
trot of, and then felt myself carried
along at a furious pace, and in an in
slant later | landed beside Miss Van
Deemen, breathless, but still in my
saddle. Mr.. Counney-so she had
styled her escort-glared at me, NUT
tering something between his teeth.
Sir" l ventured, overcoming my
embarrassment.
'Will you have the goodness to leave
us?" he shrieked.
"The road is free To ALL" replied,
annoyed by his manner, for had not
started upon an explanation.
"But yours is not beside this lady,
whom you are insulting" he ragged,
Il regret it exceedingly. but"
n forbid you TO ride beside her. he
snapped, amgrily.
"You can forbid me nothing. l am
not your servant
Sir" he shrieked, you are an In
solent puppy, and ! must insist upon
am explanation for your" here Miss
Van Deemen interfered.
"For mercys sake, no violence!
There must be mistake somewhere,
but | am sure 1t Is not Intentional"
Nothing could be farther from my
thoughts" ! assured her, truthfully.
Then prove 1t by leaving u.s. she
lmplored.
| bowed. Then overcome with rage
at the brute that had led me into this
pitfall. | lashed Darling numerically.
But Darling merely whirled around In
bewildering tarentella until | could
scarcely see or hear, then finally few
across the country in wild gallop.
And behind me came a steady trample.
Was Mr.. Courtney determined to pun
lsh what he called my insolence, orr
Darling stopped as suddenly as he
had started. and n tear stained face
appeared at my elbow, and behind her,
like an avenging angel, stormed her
furious admirer, and then we three
nalleu once more,
80 this was prearranged," he snap.
ped. ~ thought SO You have simply
been leading me on, to make fool Of
me at last, forgetful of every woman
ly-"
Jack ,Jack!' cried Miss Van Deemen,
imploringly.
"Confess IT." he shouted furiously.
"But don't know even him." she
sobbed.
"Then answer like n mani" he said,
turning to me. "Confess that you know
this lady"
A silvery laugh startled us both
this juncture.
1--WE don't know each other" cried
Miss Van Deemen, "but our horses ap-
parently do"
And, indeed, in the midst OF this an.
ger and strife our two horses present.
ed an idylic picture MS they stood rub
bing their noses
"Yes, so it seems, But how could II
happen? ISN'T that your own?" asked
MIR. Courtney.
"Why, Jack. how could ever have
gotten away? or course had to hire
this horse. You know papa never lets
me ride without the groom. got this
ONE at Tattersal's,"
$50 did l." | exclaimed; that's why
the brutes stick so close
And then we all laughed together,
After which, as We couldn't separate
we continued our ride together, and
ut the close had cemented our friend.
ship so firm TINT when Miss Van Dee.
men finally married jack Courtney J
was asked TO oliciate as best man.
But in spite of this happy conclusion
I determined to take no more morn.
ing rides until knew little more
about the art II doesn't do to tempt
fate too often N Y Commercial Ad