Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-05-04


laughing. Nothing very serious there,
David. at all events. Go up TO Prices
aud tell him TO send a hack Tor Miss
6boimondely"
And presently Mrs. Cholmondely and
Maggic, in their walking dresses. join
them. and they condoIe with Maud heart
lis. They are all looking their very best
this afternoon. and there 8 only just the
faintest tinge Of envy in Maggie's mind
rs she sees Maud in her habit But she
Is Ms tender IS ever, and looks delighted
NJ Maud eongratulates her. and with
good reason, too, on the success of her
new toilette.
Did you ever learn to ride. Maggie,
dearI" asks tae elder lady, presently.
IL ara afraid | never learned properly,
dear madam" replies Maggie, smiling.
Farmer Linden used to lend me his old
pony. and I managed 90 ride him through
the glades sometimes. but he was 50
gentle aud quiet that a baby might have
managed him"
All, then 1t would be hardly safe for
you to essay mount on n horse, Miss
Duucombe," says Archie. smiling. eYou
must be quite sure Of your wrist before
you can ride safely"
"She would soon learn, I am sure,
exclaims Maud. eagerly. Do you not
think she would. mammaf"
II think so" replies Mrs. Cholmon-
dely; but to-day, at all events, we are
bound fer walking and a beautiful day
it is. too. Come along. Maggie"
SO the two ladies', after expressing q
hope that the young couple will enjoy
their ride. take their departure
"Oh, Archie" exelaims Maud, Il must
get mamma to Miss Dnncombe take
lessons, and thin, sou know. she can
ride with me, and that will be SO nice.
DO you mean that you intend to dis
pense with my escort, aId trust only TO
David. Maud?' says Areber, with mock
solemnity.
"Oh, no, you silly boy; but then, you
II mean. of course. when you are not
able TO come"
"Ah. yes, see; but seriously speak
ing, Maud, is there any necessity for
Miss Duncombe to learn riding? Is that
accomplishment considered necessary, or
even advisable in a companion or gov
ernessT'
why. OF course it is very nice If one
has a companion who can ride, too"
lie puts Maud into her Saddle; and,
unconsciously acting as fate directs, him
self adds great link to the chain that
shall bring Ernest down almost with his
heart already given to this dark enchnnt
ress. But he does not know this, only
that he Is a little absent aud does not
hear a question that Maud asks him. till
she touches hi'a lightly and playfully
with her toy whip.
What is 1t, dearest?" he asks. 81
beg your pardon; did not quite catch
what you said
"Your thoughts were far away, think,
Archie" she returns, laying liand upon
his arm.
She has to bend over slightly here;
md to her establishment the horse lays
back his ears. and starts violently
"why, Maud, exclaims archie, quick
", ''that brrte is vicious: ! am sure he
is not safe for you to ride. Here, let
us 20 back and change saddles; Sunnow-
er Is quiet enough. and as well-bTed as
4 lady. | might have thought OF that
before. What could have been think
ing Of =.
perhaps the same object you were
bordering upon jast now, Archie" laugh
ed Maud. when / could get no answer
to my question"
Archie cannot help flushing just lit
tie, the guess is so perlously near the
truth; and Maud, seeing this. laughs
more than ever, and solemnly hopes 1t
Ia not lady They are getting into the
road by this time, and Archie calls David
to his side,
Il fancy this horse Miss Cholmon-
lely Is riding is vicious, David; he has
got trick OF putting back his ears,
and seems very skittish and frightened"
Il think NOT. sir replies David. 1T
ART likely, sir, as | should let Miss
Maud ride boss that was vicious. Its
only your fancy, depend upon ii, sir /
rode him up and down the yard half n
dozen times myself afore | brought him,
and | see nothing wrong about him."
The young people are very happy this
bright afternoon. and many an admiring
glance is given them by the gay crowd
as they ride gracefully along. chatting
with perfect ease They are in the
crowd presently and hats are raised,
nGd bows given right and left, as they
are recognized by some Of the fashion
able loungers. There is a block a ter
rible commotion and Birdcatcher thor
oughly frantic, is rearing himself aloft
to almost his full height. and grave as
he is, Archie feels sick and dizzy as
he sees MAIDS perilous position, for he
had momentarily moved away to speak
with Miss Gayler.
The crowd Is so great. and the com
motion SO terrible. that he can see moth
ing, only the old Colonel fighting pas.
sage tui Ugh but presently the horse Is
down, and a vision OF a dark woman
flashes past him, and catching the reins
as the horse is preparing TO repeat his
dangerous trick, holds him down for
moment Sac is almost dragged off the
ground. and her white arms, from which
the lace sleeves have fallen away, CLEAN
in the crowd as they are almost wrench
cd from their sockets. but presently,
amid the screams Of the women. and
deep breathing aud muttered exclama-
tons of the excited men. the horse is
firmly held. aud Maud lifted from her
seat.
He puts her into the carriage, and
then Mrs. CholmondeIy follows. with
superbly handsome girl, with dark eyes,
on the long lashes Of which the tears
hang like dew drops, and auivering lips,
and little hands, from which the gloves
hang almost in ribbons
She is recognized now. and sup
pressed murmur of admiration gradually
rises till, as the carriage moves off, il
grows into a ringing cheer. II flies like
Iightuns through the crowds. this won
q IL tx in.