Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-02-25
BY FRANK II. sTAUFFER
1910
CHAPTER V.

were situated a short distance from the
house. Brice had met her at the table
He was polite and sociable to a cert'in
degree; still, there had been something
about his conduct which made her feel
under restraint
She found Benson at his stables. He
had saddled the brown mare and Wah
bringing her out of the stall BY tie
hitching post stood demure little horse,
glossy black in color, carefully groomed,
aud surmounted by n lady's saddle.
Whose pretty little animal is rhisf'
she inquired, nodding toward the black
horse.
"Mr. Rutherford's," replied Benson.
why, l never saw it before" she
said
"Oh. of course not" replied he, 1t
just came this morning. You can regard
Ct as exclusively your property. At least
| infer so from what Mr. Rutherford
said"
"Do you wish me to understand that
be bought it for me?" asked Barbara,
catching her breath.
For your use. Miss Barbara. | feel
authorized to say that much. He expects
TO give you lesson in riding this morn
ing"
why, that's strange" cried Barbara.
with widening eyes. inwardly very much
pleased Gle said nothing about it to
me, and l have no riding habit"
Mrs Rutherford has one, and you
are about her size. He has asked her
for il, I'll venture to say"
Riffs of color fitted across Barbara's
face. She walked back to the house,
pleased look in her eyes. She was to be
taught an accom- lishment for which she
had often longed. Better still. she knew
that he was not offended at her, or had,
at least forgiven her.
Mrs. Rutherford met her at the door
Into the house they went. Barbara's
syes sparkled when they rested upon the
riding habit. She soon had 1t on, with
the assistance of Mrs. Rutherford, and
when she surveyed herself in the long
mirror an expression of pride and pleas
ure filed her eyes.
What trim, compact little thing you
areF' Mrs. Rutherford exclaimed, admir-
ingly. How stylish, | was almost
tempted to add Now. If you manage to
ride brayely and gracefully, Brice will
have no occasion to leave Croylands in
order to find a consort He is out there
on the walk. Do not keep KIM waiting
He's such an impatient fellow, you
know"
I She kissed Barbara, much to the sur
prise of the latter. 1t brought flush to
her cheek. where il remained for while,
aud didn't escape Brice's eyes.
Il received your invitation at second
hands" she said. with a shy glance
stS5mpfy haauuSa / nnuInp'f nd
re replied do you know, Miss Brad
leigh. that you look absolutely charming
in that riding habit?"
They walked side by side down the
path among the elms, her tread grace
ful. the plume Of her hat gently swaying,
her left hand daintily holding her trail
Ing skirt to one side.
In a little while they were mounted
aad were riding along the shady, black
loaned highway, chatting gayly and Gu
jnying the fresh air, the bright sunlight,
and the exercise of motion.
barbara soon got rid of her timidity.
Tier horse responded to every motion of
the rein; she felt secure in her seat; she
was even ready for rougher road and
a higher rate of speed.
Il was all owing to the attention paid
"a her by her companion. He kept close
IL her side, he advised and encouraged,
H. criticised and praised feeling more
than compensated whenever she lifted her
soft brown eyes to his in shy, graceful
way
t'hey drew up on the edge of a wide.
cleared space, as level as a lawn and
almost half a mile in length. At it's ex-
treme end stood a pretty little church,
quaint in structure and with pleasing
setting of dark green. the spire but very
little higher than the trees
Miss Bradleigh. you are an apt pu-
pill" Brice said, his eyes resting upon
her in admiration. Another lesson will
suihce | might add something more,
hut you would probably charge me with
Hg ttery again. Now for Z wild dash
across this level stretch Remember my
instructions and have faitl in Sultan ard
-- yourself"
He shot away from her like an arrow
Whether he had cut the black with his
whip, or whether the animal rose to emit
lltioD of his own accord. she never knew.
Dne thing she did know, however. and
hat was that she was going over the
green sward with a speed that almost
ook her breath. There was moment
of alarm and then she yielded to the oc-
casion. and even W - tempted to urge
the little black to greater effort Brice
reached the church. wheeled around and
waited for her. She came up flushed
and painting. her face aglow. her eyes
sparkling, grace visible in every curve
Of her 1.-the figure.
Bravo cried Brice, clappiug his
hands.
1t wasn't fair" demurred Barbara,
catching her breath. ut should have been
one-two-three aud co.
She pushed her hair from her face
with movement that was charming, il
was SO exquisitely girlish. She flushed
and dropped her eyes, there was such 8
plensed, steady light streaming from his
lust then Miss Caroline Wentworth
came around the church. her whip In one
hand. the folds of her riding skirt in tbs
other Her horse was tied beside tn,
stnue wall at the end of the graveyard
when she saw the pleased sparkle il
usrbara's face a cloud settled upon hei
avn for a moment. born of sudder
,sng of jealousy. and augmented by tn,
excelIsnt humor in which Brice SCENE,
"a he She nodded pleasantly to him an,
then to Miss Barbara, who said to her
self:
There is something so regal about he
Ia auty that Mr.. Rutherford will move
care much about me.
Miss Bradleigh didn't you give m
TO understand that you couldn't ride:
Miss Wentworth asked
Nor could l at the time / said SO.
replied Barbara.
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