Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-10-02


horse was also used to such snort
and Mary's, though little green at
II, was a thoroughbred and required
nttle urging to initiate the better
trained animals.
AT last Rob tired of the brusb
and started off for a gate in the dis
lance. The others followed at a
swinging lope. Rob's mare loped
quietly up to the gate and apparent
ly stepped over it. Harrys horse
took it with a rush, showing a clean
SIX inches of daylight between his
Tying hoofs and the top rail of the
gate. Mary's little mare quivered
and tossed her head and then leaped
over as lightly as a cat.
Poor Puck, Ruth's pony, refused
point blank. Don't give in TO him.
Ride back and make him do it"
shouted Rob.
Ruth, angry and excited, swung
Puck round and rode with him hack
to get new start. Then she struck
him repeatedly with the whip till he
was running, and SO they came at
the gate. Puck quivered and paus-
ed, but with jerky lift and with a
wild cut she made him Jump.
The jump was high enough to
carry him over, but his heart was
not in 1t, his heels licked the rail,
he struck the ground badly, turning
his ankle, and horse and rider rolled
over on the turf.
Rob Allen and Harry Downs hur-
ried to the PROSTATE figures. Ruth
lay still and white, and only moaned
a little when Rob picked her up.
Harry rushed away to a little stream
for water, and by bathing her face
and chatting her hands they brought
her back to consciousness. She sat
up sobbing, ooh, poor Puck, l ought
not TO have made you do it." and
then quietly tainted away again.
"This won't dc" said Harry, and.
jumping on his horse, he assured
them he would find a carriage if Rob
would carry her out to the road.
So Rob gathered up the forlorn lit
tie figure, and Mary followed, lead
ing the three horses.
Harry was fortunate in securing
a passing vehicle-a farm wagon
with meal bags in it. Mary got in
and received Ruth's unconscious
form, while the farmer good natur-
edly agreed to ride Rob's horse and
lead the others.
At last they reached the farm
house, and Rob took her carefully
down. Her foot just touched the
wheel, and with a sharp cry she re-
gained consciousness and began to
weep Historically.
ooh, darling, DON'T" said Rob
helplessly; "here's mother. Now
you'll be all right" Ruth chung
about his neck, and they disappeared
into the kitchen.
Mary clambered down from the
wagon as best she could and stood 4
moment with chnched hands. Rob
loves her." she said under her
breath. and then with shame in her
heart she went to her sister and did
all that could be done for her.
BY the time the doctor had made
his visit she had so far conquered
herself that she went to Rob, who
was pacing the yard like a wild
thing, and told him in quite sisterly
fashion that Ruth was not seriously
hurt. \ sprained ankle and general
shaking up was all.
For the next few weeks Ruth was
an interesting invalid. Every
morning Rob carried her out under
the trees in the doorway and she
held her court there. She insisted
that Mary should ride with one
young man each day, while the
other staid at home and entertain
ed her. This arrangement kept
Harry Downs in a trying state of
mind, for on the day he rode with
Mary he longed to ask her to be his
wife, but the very next morning he
spent with Ruth, and she teased and
petted him till he was sure she was
the only woman to make him happy.
The weeks went by swiftly and
Ruth gained steadily. One day
Mary came home from her ride with
Harry Downs, and coming round
the corner of the house found Ruth
and Rob walking together, Ruth
using Rob's arm for a crutch. They
were so busy talking they did not
notice her, and she hurried into the
house, stumbling over a book on the
threshold.
She opened it mechanically and
found the leaf turned down at Low
ellis Love" go that is what
they are discussing" she thought.
with a bitter little laugh. Her feet
carried her heavily over the stairs,
and she felt worn and old as she
entered her room.
The evenings were cool and were
usually spent in the big living ROOM
where Il cheerful wood fire burned