, 1902-11-21

you going TO take me TO ride, JackF
"Wen. it's what l came around for.
but your tale of woe about knocked II
out of my head"
The negro from the stable leaped out
and held the big bays head. Esther
rar down to the gate, forgetting the be-
rufied parasol lying on the veranda,
Ormsby followed lazily.
Feeling pretty gay, isn't he, Jack
SON." he asked, pulling on a glove and
looking at Sultan. who danced charm
ingly to the accompaniment of little
squeals of delight from Esther.
Yes. sab; he do. sab"
Hop In, Essie," Ormsby said, hold
ing out his hand to assist her. Then,
he added, Speaking of angels, there's
Hallowell now"
A fresh faced young fellow cantered
by on a fine horse and lifted his hat
seriously. A little way beyond he pull
ed In the animal, and dismounted as
though he would come back to speak to
the couple at the runabout.
do hurry upr" exclaimed Esther I'M
der her breath. what shall do to
get rid of him, Jack? You said there
were two ways. What are theyf"
well, and Ormsby buttoned the
glove slowly and put n foot on the
step of the runabout, you might marry
him to get rid of him.
mo, thank your she exclaimed, pout-
ing and tossing her head. Then she
started and looked toward the house.
"Oh, Jack-my parasol! l shall want
it"
Ormsby had already leaned forward
to seize the reins. He glanced at the
colored man. Miss Dingley's parasol
Is on the veranda, Jackson" he said.
The man dropped Sultan's bride.
Like a fash the bay threw up his head
and started.
The lines had not been quite within
Ormsby's grasp. His foot slipped from
the step. He made a leap to reach the
carriage, but Sultan swung into a long
stride on the instant and fairly snatch
ed the %runabout from under his mas
ter's grasp.
1.-THE reins, the reins! Quick, Essie!"
Ormby cried.
Thank God, she knew what he meant
and seized the reins before they slipped
over the dashboard to dangle about Sui
tan's heels and drive him mad with ter
ror. But the horse knew instantly that
an unfamiliar hand held the reins, and
he increased his trot to a gallop.
Esther told herself that she would
not be frightened and she drew the
lines In firmly and said, "Whoai"
But Sultan saw no reason for whoa
Ing just then. There was a long stretch
of dusty, sunlit road before him, and
he seized the bit In his strong teeth, and
bolted. He few by Hallowell's mount
with a rush and set that creature to
dancing. Hallowell hung on to the
leather and stared with round eyes af-
ter the runaway.
His establishment was vastly increas.
ed when a second whirlwind reached
h4na. On I--by wenr at MIN us tnUugf~
he was playing football.
He snatched the bride from Halo
wells hand, and that young man was
sent rolling in the dust as Jack leaped
astride and set the now frightened ami
NAL after the boiling Sultan.
The road for a mile was clear, but
where 1t Joined the boulevard beyond
Ormsby knew the runaway would
burst into a tangle of carriage of all
descriptions, and the end would be Sc
rious. He didn't know much about the
soundness CT Hallowell's mount, but
he would have made an asthmatic old
car horse do stunts just then.
Like the wind he rode, and his
mounts nose soon came up to Esther's
shoulder. Foot by foot he gained on
Sultan, and then, with a swift dive,
Ormsby seized the reins, which Esther
had continued to cling to with all her
little might. A strong pull on both
horses, and Sultan instantly recognized
the fact that all his fun was yer.
He slowed down and in half a block,
and just before the junction with the
boulevard, stopped, as gentle as a lamb.
For a minute they gazed at each other.
WELL" Ormsby said at last, you
came near escaping the pursuit of the
villain that time. Essie, for good and
al"
Esther's eyes grew luminous. And
you dared suggest that | marry himf'
she said, catching her breath,
"Well, you know there was an alter.
native"
"And that is 2" still looking at him.
THAT you might marry me to get rid
of him. That-that would be ef%fectual,
wouldn't it?"
Another breath of silence. and then
Esther murmured, well, Jack, dear,
we might try itl'-Homefolks.