The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-02-27

Wcll, let us ride back ut once" said
the girl. Il am SO excited can hardly
breathe. l would not miss it for any
thing. Isn't it splendid? Jerry" she
continued, turning to the groom. "my
horse"
AS the negro, who had watched the
scene with unmoved gravity, little COM
prehending its ultimate meaning to
MIN and his race, led forward the
horse. both young men sprang to as
sist her to mount. She looked from
one outstrctched hand to the other and
turning to Peyton put her little foot in
MS PAIN. lie flashed n look of graft
tude toward her as he lifted her into
the saddle, but his joy was not allowed
Iree course, for. with an instinct of
kindness which Is sometimes mistaken
Tor cOquetry, she turned to Darrow
whose face was flushed with disap.
pointment. and said, "I came with Mr..
Peyton, you KNOW" which simple re-
mark Gid great deal to dim the
brightness Of Pcyton's satisfaction and
diminish the poignancy of Darrow's re-
gret.
Both men sprang to their saddles
then and both instinctively made for
the right side Of the girl, and for mo-
ment it looked as if there might be n
collision; but Darrow recovered him
selI quickly and rcincd- in his horse.
The place Of honor is yours, Boyd.
You are Miss Mary's escort this morn
ing. so so ahead. Besides, you are q
stranger too. I surrender the priv
ilege."
That's handsome of you, old fell
low" returned his friend, smiling. as
barrow wheeled to the left side of
Mary AMMAN ---,,.,.-..
IF you have finished your discus
sion, gentlemen" she said, smiling in
spite of herself with pleasure at the
Jealous little rivalry, "let us ride on. I
cannot wait to be there"
She shook the reins over the horses
neck, touched him lightly with the
whip she carried, and he broke into q
long, swinging gallop, an example, of
course, followed by the other two.
They fairly raced along the road ut a
pace which made connected conversa-
tion impossible. They covered the dis
tance very rapidly without break or
stop until they reached the outskirts of
the town. AS they turned into EN-
manuel street Mary AMMAN reined in
her painting horse and cantered slowly
down the street
N.Y." she said, with cheerful glad
ness, that was splendid dash! I do
not believe we were more than half an
hour doing the distance. Your gray
looks tired, Mr.. Darrow."
"YeSo said norrou- ,.,+t;,,u ,,;.
horse. ''You see, he has had a double
run"
"Shall we be In timer"
ooh, think So" answered Darrow.
"uark! What's that? It's the band"
Come" said the girl impatiently,
urging her horse into gallop again.
Lets hurry on"
L think we can intercept them on
Government street IL we keep straight
on" said Darrow as lie and Pcyton fol-
lowed her example,
What will 1t be, do you Think" she
cried.
"Oh, a parade or a salute; perhaps
BOTH"
In short time they reached the
junction OF Emmanuel and Govern
ment streets. The broad, splendid road,
lined with magnificent old houses en-
powered in trees, was filled with peo-
pie. Some squares away to the left
came the band of music, followed by
marching bodies OF gayly uniformed
men. The sunlight sparkling OH steel
bayonets told the trio that they were
soldiers. They were accompanied, as
usual, by throngs of people, the street
was rapidly filling up. and boys and
girls, black and white, capered along
in time to the music.
whats that they are playing?" ask
ed Peyton curiously.
ITS new song," answered Mary.
Listen to the Mocking Bird it's call
cd. l will sing 1t for you the next time
you are at the house."
eyes, We have all enjoyed hearing
you sing It, Miss Mary" put in barrow
deity, quite multiplying the pleasure
Peyton had taken In the promise.
Darrow was magnificent horseman.
He seemed part of his stccd. No
centaur could have ridden more SUI
perbly. Six feet high, spiendidly pro-
portioned. lie made a grand picture
sitting his great gray horse. No one
could be In greater contrast to Pcyton
than he. His eyes were blue, his hair
sunny, his complexion forid, an un-
usual but not impossible type for a
southerner. Physically lie was the in
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