Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-16

boltedsaway with blood in her eye and
the bit in her teeth. Only few rods,
however. Hunter, sitting her like wax.
now, reined her round in broad circle
headed her back for the group, gradual
| ly checking her speed as he ueared the
party.
"Try it from that side,'' said Raw,
and over she popped, light as bird. A
third and fourth time was the leap
repeated, Stella enjoying being the CEN
ter of attraction and improving on her
efforts. Then came the attempt at the
wider hurdle, a man being stationed at
each end to give her the idea Of posts
between which she must jump. This,
too, proved bagatelle And all this
time Hunter had never opened his lips
to speak. Now, in obedience to the cap
tain's signal, the trooper refined up close
| to him.
"What do you think Of her jump
ing?'' asked Ray.
"She has been we'll taught, sir, +" was
the answer, in low, quiet tone. 81
think she will give Mrs. Ray little
trouble, but she has never been ridden
! u,
stand.''
No, she had not Hogan produced the
sidesaddle and cavalry blanket. In
two minutes the mare was housed in
the one and Hunter rolled, as to his
legs, in the other. This time mountir !,
was not SO easy. Stella despised that
blanket and would not suffer it to come
near her, and that blanket was to be
tried in lien Of riding skirt Main
warins sat on his horse, shouting all
manner of suggestions, sorely trying
Rays sense Of subordination. At last,
impatiently, he hazarded the remark,
"Phoo, Ray. that man can't ride.
There's dozen men in my old troop
would have had her over the hurdle,
blanket and all, by this time
The blood rushed to Hunters face,
and he bit his lip hard. Thus far Ray
had been holding the mares head by
the bit-a hub, SO to speak, about which
she circled, 6rst one way. then the 9th
er, to dodge the blanket swathed form.
Now the trooper was heard to speak.
pardon me, captain, but may take
her myself"
Instantly the two ladies exchanged a
! glance. 81 told you he looked like a
gentleman, /" said Mrs. Ray, in low Tone
Then began very pretty piece of
coaxing. With one firm hand at the bit,
the blanket still strapped about his
waist, Trooper Hunter had managed to
reach Stella'sn neck with his right hand,
! end, patting her softly. was murmuring
gently. Maxim love to her III Irish, -
Hogan muttered to Duffy. Several ad-
ditiens had been made to the group by
ttis time. y The Colonel, Danaswby his
side and followed by his orderly, came
/ riding around from the direction of the
stables and, doffing his cap to- the la
dies sat in saddle, an interested specta-
tor. Several wives and children of the
soldiers had been attracted from their
quarters to the fence, while little far
Their back, aloof from the general run Of
Sudstown people, with pale blue
shawl. one of Mrs. Freeman's discarded
evening wraps over her head, pretty
Mrs. Merriw Gather stood to gaze
Hunter slowly lifted an edge Of the
blanket and let Stella nose it, which she
did, feigned to be much frightened and
attempted again to pull away. But at
last wearying of fruitless efforts, she
consented to smell of it and then
nudged it disdainfully aside. The next
thing she know Hunter had slipped both
hands back. one to the pommel, the
other to her name, and with agile
spring alighted on the saddle, threw
the right leg over the horn, and, despite
her plunging, Stella found herself once
more under his weight. firmly held as
ever. Five minutes petting made her
forget her burden, even when shown
the shadow of the skirt. In less than ten
she had leaped the hurdle to and fro
half dozen times and was realizing
she had made fool of herself. And
then some unhallowed inspiration seized
the major.
"What want is to see how she'll
behave under cavalry saddle. You've
ridden one often enough. I suppose?"
he said, scowling at Hunter.
Never until came here, sir.
MEAN to tell me you've never been
in the cavalry"
II told the major as much a fortnight
ago, was the firm yet respectful reply.
"Well, where'd you learn to ride,
them" asked Mainwaring, who had a
fixed idea that no one not of the cavalry
! could be at home in the saddle-this,
too, despite long years among vaqueros,
! Comanches and cowboys.
II learned to ride as boy, sir. -
"Well, dismount and put ON that
Mcclellan saddle" said Mainwaring
ourtly.
Anterior heard the order, saw the
quick glance Of the soldier toward his
captain and the half vexed expression
in Rays face, and glanoing at Mrs.
Ray, hesitated no longer.
mo, no, major. don't change the
saddle. Let Us see how she'll take the
bar again. Set it loosely, you men, SC
that it will slide off the pegs if she
strikes.
Sergeant Merriweather was busily
setting the peg at three feet again,
when, glanoing up to soc that the oppo.
+ | sst 70 81 tha tnt l..