Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-06-07

streaming reins and one malicious Whitley
blue eye cooked in their direction, and
just as they fondly imagined they had
him, he would give one contemptuous
kick, accompanied by a squeal of derison,
and thunder past them forty miles an
hour.
At last Miles captured Jacky by dint Of
sheer pertinacity, and brought him tri-
umphantly back to his mistress, who
stood under tree. with her hat off and
a small branch OF horse chestnut in her
hand, with which she had been tanning
herself, in the vain hope of cooling her
hot cheeks.
The prettiest girl in Thornshire. there
could be no doubt about that, said Miles
to himself as he approached her. with the
bride of the captive over his arm.
| The recent chase had loosened various
| stray little locks and curls about her
temples; her cheeks were an exquisite
rose color, her eyes like two sapphires,
| 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
a cunning old beggar he is. l think"
now being quite close to her and dofing
his hat, that you must be my Cousin
Esme. 1" 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 to
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 not put you up?" he asked hum
bly,.
"Oh, no, no, thanks impatiently
mounting as she spoke with nimble ease,
and settling herself in the saddle.
Does he often play you these tricks|
he ventured to ask, taking, as he spoke,
wisp of grass out of Jacky's reluctant
mouth, and putting the reins in her
hands.
Yes, often," snappishly.
"And yet it does not cool your ardor
for riding him?'
NO" very shortly. "And now, if you
will be so good as to open the gate, L
shall be much obliged" she added, with
ostentatious politeness.
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 Jacky's mind. He planted
his feet firmly together, as it were, rooted
himself in the soil of the next field, and
positively declined to stir one step fur
ther, merely shaking his ears disapprov-
ingly, and at last showing a strong desire
to lie down. 1t was a humiliating situa-
ton for Esme, and ludicrous in the ex-
treme. She could not honestly say, if
she had been asked on oath at the mo-
ment, which of the two she hated most,
her cousin or the pony. There was a
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 a compromise was |
effected-Jacky was satisfied to proceed, |
provided that he was gently and indul- |
gently led by the bride. And in this way |
the trio slowly left the fields and pro-
ceeded along the narrow lanes leading to |
Mr.. Hogben's farm.
Miles struggled bravely 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 a monologue, until, by
brilliant inspiration, he touched up the
delinquencies of Jacky, and then Esme
found speech; her pent-up Indignation
broke forth.
"Odious, ungrateful ugly little wretch!
Would you believe that he is twenty-four
years old, and has hardly a tooth in his
head?"
mo, indeed, l would not; he seems to
be as lively as a two-year-old, delighted
that this fair and disdainful divinity had
found voice at last.
Yes, that he is; and his temper is get
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 nOrSeS ana anOtner pony,
1 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 CONVEX
sation rolling at any price.
Did she? What a stupid question:"
lifting her eyebrows contemptuously. IF
he had been shot, how could he be here
now? But he was spared because ia
cobs said he had lot of work in him,
and he would do very we'll 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."
lTo be continued.l