Richmond daily palladium., 1906-01-30

! II should like to ride him.
| The girl looked at her new groom in
manner which expressed frank as
| constituent Was he in earnest, or
was it mere bravado? An idea came
! TO her. mischievous idea
/ If you can sit on Pirates back for
| ten minutes there will not be any aues-,
ton Of probation. | promise TO engage
| you on the spot. recommendation or no
! recon Would he back
! down?
Where are the saddles Madam ?"
| he asked calmly, though his blood
moved faster.
"On the pegs behind you"-becom-
/ ing interested. DO you really intend
to ride him."
With your permission"
Il warn you that the risk you are
running is great"
I am not afraid of Pirate. Madam >
in tone which implied that he was
not afraid of any horse living. The
spirit of antag0nism rose up in him,
that spirit of antagOnism Of the human
against the animal, that eternal ambi-
ton of the one to master the other.
And besides, I'm not sure that James
didn't want to show of before the girl
another very human trait in man
kind. For my part, l wouldn't give
yesterdays rose for a man who
wouldn't show off once in a while,
when his best girl is around and look
ing on.
On your head be it, then"-a sud-
den nervousness seizing her. Yet she
was as eager to witness the encounter
as he was to court it. 'William!" she
called. The stable-boy entered, setting
aside his broom This is James, the
new groom. Help him to saddle
Pirate"
Saddle Pirate, Miss Annesley!"
cried the boy, his mouth open and his
eyes wide.
You see?" said the girl to War
burton.
Take down that saddle with the
hooded stirrups," said Warburton,
briefly. He would ride Pirate now,
even if Pirate had been sired in Beel-
zebub's stables. He carefully inspected
girth. Very good, indeed. Buckles
on saddles are always hidden menace
and constant danger. Now, bring
out Pirate, William"
William brought out the horse, who
snorted when he saw the saddle on the
floor and the curb on Warburton' s
arm.
back for a year, sir, not since last
winter. He's likely to give you trou-
ble," said the boy. you can't put
that curb on him, sir: he won't stand
for it moment. Miss Annesley, hadn't
you better step outside? He may
start to kicking That heavy
English snatf1e is the best thing I
know of. Try that, sir. And don't let
him get his head down, or he'll do you.
Whoa!" as Pirate suddenly took it into
\ his head to leave the barn without
any ones permission.
The girl sprang lightly into one of
the empty stalls and waited. She was
greatly excited, and the color in her
cheeks was not borrowed from the pop
pies. She saw the new groom take
Pirate by the forelock, and, quicker
than words can tell, Mr.. Pirate was an.
grily champing the cold bit He reared
Warburton caught him by the nose and
the neck. Pirate came down, trembling
with rage.
Here boy; catch him here" cried
Warburton. William knew his bust
ness, and he grasped the bride close
under Pirates jaws. That's it. Now
hold him"
Warburton picked up the saddle anG
threw it over Pirates glossy back
Pirate waltzed from side to side ant
shook his head wickedly. But the mar
> that was to mount him knew all these
signs. Swiftly he gathered up the enc
of the belly-band strap and ran i
through the iron ring. In and out hi
threaded it, drawing it tighter anC
tighter. He leaped into the saddle ant
adjusted the stirrups, then dismounted
, "Ill take him now, William" sait
) James smiling
"All right, sir" said William, glat
enough to be relieved of all further re
5 sponsibility.
. James led Pirate into the small cour
e and waited for Miss Annesley, who ap
: peared in the doorway presently
James, regret that l urged you t
! ride him. You will be hurt" she said
= Her worry was plainly visible on he
!. face.
James smiled his pleasantest an
1 touched his hat.
$ very well, then; l have warne
D you. If he bolts, head him for tree
3 That's the only way to stop him."
. James shortened the bridle-rein t
the required length, took firm grip O
Pirates name, and vaulted into th
saddle. Pirate stood perfectly still
He shook his head. James talked t
him and patted his sleek neck an