The age-herald., 1900-01-28
What do you mean, Ethel?" asked her hrnthar slowly

What do you mean, Ethel?" asked her brother slowly
 'I mean" replied the girl, "that Joan isn't going nicely this morning. and that I would like to change horses with you. Perhaps she'll go better if you ride her-anyway let s try
 But father doesn't want you to ride Dick" said honest Fred.
 Well, father won't know anything about it till after it's done, and then he won't mind when he finds it turned out all right and that I can ride Dick after all. Now
 Fred. there's dear boy, do as I ask you" Fred never could resist his sisters plead ing's, but now he remonstrated s.outly, not that he thought there was the least danger in what Ethel wanted to do but simply be- cause of what his father had said. He gave in at last, as Ethel knew he would, and slipping his saddle off Dicks back. put Ethel's there instead. Dick grew a little restless under the strain of tighter girths tEan he had been accustomed to, but queted down presently. Then Ethel sprang Nightly upon his back and brother and sis ter rode away side by side. again.
 "Oh, how lovely he is,'' exclaimed Ethel. after prolonged canter. during which Dick
 comported himself with great decorum. How is Jcan going?"
 "All right"
 The road was beginning to assume the look of street, and soon the horses hoofs were clicking against the stone pavement. The Park was still to be crossed before they reached the street where the Lewises lived. As their horses hoofs struck the smooth park road the boy and girl put them into sharp canter. Dick gave his head a little toss as he started, and swerved to the right
 with affected fear as he caught a glimpse of his riders habit Then off they went, faster and faster. Ethels cheeks were
 flushed and her eyes shone with exhilara- ton.
 Not so fast. Eth said Fred. Eshel pulled with a firm. strong hand upon the bride reins. and spoke to the horse, vet he did not relax his speed. Never had Joan been forced to so fierce gait be-
 fore She snorted a remonstrance. "Ethel" cried Fred, sharply, pull up,
 tell you!'
 And Ethel pulled and sawed at Dicks
 mouth and he in turn resolutely quickened his pace.
 "I can't stop him, Fred" she said. AS if the words urged the horse into still wilder flight he 1eaped forward and shot away with his head lowered Joan was no match for him in speed even on ordinary occasions, and this was extraordinary occasion
 upon which Dick was "holting." She soon fell far behind and poor Fred saw his sister disappear over the brow of a hill that led down to one of the park entrances. and thence to the city street.
  destrans made nasty way for this reckless ly ridden siteed. Ethel still sat firm but
 she was beginning<to tire of the rapid pace Nobody who has not been TUT, away with can realize the horror and helplessness of the situe'iion and it is not ito be wondered at that Ethel. pucky 9s she was, began to lose courage as she saw the foot of the long hill down which she was traveIing at breakneck speed. "a crowded city street, and felt every instant decreasing ability to keep Dicks head straight As is invsriablv the case in moments of extreme peril. all kinds of thoughts ran riot in her mind but she had brought all this trouble upon herself. and that she had
 wronged and deceived her father and made Fred deceive him. too. and that If she was
 killed, as she fully expected to be. there was no one but herself to blame. "Dear kind Tsapa-dear kind papa" she kert re- peating half Thystericallv. She had begun to sway uncomfortably rn the saddle now. and Dick had shaken off all vestige of her , control and following the dictates of | his own mad will in wild fliesH' down The steep hill. Just linen Ethe"s desnair'ng eyes caught sight of a mounted park guard r.d- | ing lesnrely along the side of the road. As she neared Tim she had presence of mind enouph to call:
 "Help me. please. I can't stop" Tn an instant the guard had wheeled into the road and urged his horse into a swift gallon. He was beside her presently trying to snatch her bridle rein. but Dick swerved
 frantcally away and sped on. "Dont he f1efltensd. miss, I'll stoo himv shouted the man. "Hold on for all you're worth and trv to keen his haad straight" He was a lererfh hehind Ethel when he shouted this and did not seem to he gain
 ing on her. The girls hat blew off at this