The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
HONOR BRIGHT
By ISABEL WORRELL BILL
Copyright, 1904, by Isabel worrell Ball.

riding did not consist entirely in stick.
Ing on, which was a fierce slap at my
strap and blanket, and then she re-
marked superciliously that she had her
opinion Of anybody who would ride in
short skirts, and Honor's tears
splashed down on the dingy old calico
habit.
nYou are much prettier in that old
habit than Miss Jefferson is in her
tailor-made, if it did come from Paris
declared Gerald, warmly.
"Oh, yes,'' returned Honor, mock
ingly. 'fMuch prettier. For this much
thanks, my lord. But just the same. you
against her grace, wearing this old
habit. but I shall ride, Mr.. Warren;
certainly shall, and I will win whip
and gloves!'' and Honor gave him a
@Then we will discuss the matter
no further" declared Gerald, sadly. He
was noble fellow, but he didn't I'M
derstand women, and he was making
an awful mess of his affairs in his
efforts to harmonize distinctly opposed
HAdios, senor,' she called back as
she vaulted on Cyclone g back and drew
the bride rein thru her tiny gloved
hands. "After today, Gerald, if there
is an after" she added, pathetically,
as she fumbled with the worn buckskin
gloves, and settled the folds Of the old
riding habit, "after today I mean to
begin being lady, and | shall spend
for dress, but if you do, why suppose
I should pay some attention to your
wishes, but for few hours longer, at
least, let me be Honor Bright, the
{hoyden.' And with saucy kiss from
her fnger-tips she dashed away to Join
"Uncle Dick,' the manager Of the
Bright ranch, and her devoted slave
since she could balance herself on her
pony's back.
Trouble had been brewing for some
time. The arrival from Boston Of Mrs.
Warren and her daughters on a sum.
mer's visit to Gerald, and to pass upon
the merits Of the possible addition to
the family of Warren, had precipitated
matters. The present rift within the
lutte had been caused by the county fair.
Miss Jefferson and some of the girls
from town, who were spending week
at the Star Cross ranch, had decided to
of course, and had declared that they
were going to ride principally to show
the "country girls'' how riding should
be done.
Honor Bright didn't care rap about
the prizes She had gloves and whips
to burn. She had priceless Mexican
brides, jeweled silver and gold spurs
rare saddle blankets and two saddles
with mountings of gold and silver, most
big, lonesome ranch house was a perfect
museum Of things Of this kind, bestowed
by men and women Of note who hao
been guests of her father during the
animal roundup, or at the time Of tho
big hunts, when Honor herself had Otter
been in at the death Of big game. The
simple prizes would have tempted he,
not at all, but her pride had beer
wounded sorely, and willful as always
lists. The rules for entry required tho
use Of saddles, something Honor hal
never used in her life. She scornei
both bride and saddle when she rode
Cyclone, for the pretty chestnut was
trained to the limit, and touch Of bel
small hand was enough to send him a!
fast or as slow as she desired, and sht
often declared that he knew more thar
some people, which was doubtless true
| Gerald Warren did not know that
Honor had set about to win the prize
by confding in Uncle Dick, and that
the thorobred Kentucky mare which he1
: father had brought, up only a few
months before, had been in training un
der the saddle, and that his wild-rost
sweetheart was simply letter perfect il
the art of conventional riding. There
were other surprises in store for every
body that afternoon
a dozen young ladies in prim black an6
blue cloth habits, chimney:pot hats
long gauntlets and long wells, which
was the fashionable riding garb of the
day, were gathered near the judges
stand, where their escorts were chat
ting with them while waiting for the
order TT to clear e.? the ring Ing, Co.
,, Geralda" asked his younger sister, a.
he drove up with his mother and hi.
married sister.
Gerald frowned and his face colored
but before he could answer, a little
! buzz of comment called his attention
Honor rode up unattended Sh<
wouldn It let even Uncle Dick ride his
old cob beside her, so he had ridden
over in the blackboard.
clared Uncle Dick afterwards. III fell
like, throwing my old hat in the all
and yelling in my joy at the stir she
made in the Warren crowd.'
Honor surely was the center Of at
traction from the moment she entered
the grounds Her slender black mare
was as mettlesome as only a thorobred
can be, and tossed her black name and
tail impatiently as she obeyed the little
hand with it's touch Of velvet and grip
of steel. Honor herself was as slim and
wil1owy as young sapling, in a close
fitting black velvet habit, which was
conyentionally long, almost sweeping
the ground. She had put up all hel
pretty golden curls under little black
velvet hat, around which was long
black plume.
! Miss Jefferson looked like a thunder.
cloud. She had expected to see Honor
Bright ride in on her mustang and in
the old black calico habit skirt she
usually wore. Gerald smiled contented.
lily, and went to her Immediately with
a. loving word, so there were no tears
in her heart to blind her eyes when the
test came.
The tournament beganl Up and down.
round this way and back that, under the
coppery sky, the ladies rode, then at the
order, paused in front Of the Judges
stand. The judges were undecided, so
they sent the horses thru their PAGES
again. No decision The ladies would
please change horses.
instant, but most Of the young ladies
/ demurred. Miss Jefferson declined to
ride anything but her own beautifully
paced geldinr which she had shipped
from Boston for her summer visit at
Star Cross ranch. The contest narrowed
on the change to Honor and two other
plains bred girls, but even they dared
not mount Kentucky. The Judges were
t hard to please, for they made Honor
! ride, each Of the six horses entered
! Uncle Dick said that the Judges, who
i were all fond Of Honor, did It to let