Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-02-28

weight swing inward at the turn; IL
he reared two maddening spurs were
dug into his TANKS, while the effort to
lower bis head was checked by an iron
hand
Presently the horse stood still. as
/ though he were thinking deeply, then
suddenly plunged away on dead
stralght line For twenty yards he
raced, then spread out his legs and
Slid, In the budding hope that his rider
might continue on, but in this he was
bitterly disappointed. He felt the
agony of cruel curb that gripped his
tongue and found himself forced back
upon his launches, while his tenacious
rider still remained astrde his back
NOW, Hawk was not single minded
brute and had. so to speak. another
project up his sleeve Without warn
ing he dropped upon the turf and roll
ed. Richard jumped. He alighted up
on his feet, ran backward to avoid
the vicious hoofs, and as the horse
rose he mounted with a flying vault
while from his audience came q cheer
that was music to the vanity of man
and further irritation to the horse.
The roam repeated his experiment the
second time, but with the same result,
then once more bolted on the run. this
time for the four foot fence of tbe
paddock. To dash his rider against a
rough oak post was most commenda-
bic design in horse but the rider
was otherwise disposed. The Texan
gave his steed a loose, free rein. but
as he neared the barrier checked him
sharply and applied the spur. Hawk
quivered, crouched then took the fence
like a soaring bird
outside a smooth road stretched
away till lost behind the crest of q dis
tant hill. Up this highway the big
roam Numbered as though old Tam O.
Shanter covered upon his back, with
horde of witches streaming far out
behind.
The heart of Richard had been sing
ing with a conquerors joy, and doubt
less his reckless tongue might have
taken up the song but for an unex-
pected check. AS he landed i'm the
road beyond the fence he spied a little
red faced man who had clapped an
tituHN WIN WV pump MIlle IduUS.
1t was not so much the gentleman him.
ielf that troubled Richards mind, but
the thought of a doubtful compliment
shouted down the wind:
Every good seat for an EnGlishman,
my lord"
For Richard of course sat on his
horse like plains rider who loathes
the up and down motion of England
and the riding school
For long time Miss Renwyck and
her father awaited their guests return
In great anxiety until they were reliev-
ed at last by the sight of him coming
down the road u an easy canter, evil
IDENTITY master of the situation
HE rides well. father. doesn't he?"
"He does" the old gentleman replied
and added something which qualified
a firm opinion.
Richard soon reached the paddock
fence, forcing his jaded mount to take
1t for second time. crossed the field
and dismounted at Miss Harriet's side.
The horse stood still. his head dropped
again. but this time in utter WEAKNESS,
not mischief His glossy coat was
streaked with foam. his widespread
nostrils infiamed and red. while his |
barrel heaved to the pant of his labor
ed breath. He shivered in defeat and |
offered no resentment of his riders |
arm about his neck in rough caress
look here. young man." said Mr. |
Renwycks greeting. where did you
learn to ride like that?"
81 was uncommonly keen on riding |
as boy" said Richard. falling into
a lazy drawl, and. besides, | stayed |
for several months in Texas. you |
know"
Miss Harriet started and fixed
searching gaze on the speakers face.
but her father nodded gravely.
"Umphr he returned II see Good !
instructors, those fellows on the plains. |
eh?"
'Well. rather" assented Richard, |
with laugh. my trainer was gen.
tleman known colloquially as Dog
Faced Sam, though | dare say his par
ents never bothered to christen him at |
all. jolly sort. those-er-cow chaps, |
pom my wordv'
There was a short silence: then Mr.. |
Renwyck blurted out abruptly: well, |
the horse is yours. of course. You rode
him for a full half hour"
Richard took out his watch. glanced |
at it and closed 1t with a snap and a
sigh.
"Twenty-eiSht minutes" he exclaim-
ed in well assumed dismay. by Jove.
I've lost my wager,''
Hold on there" cried the old gentle
man, but laughing in spite of his ear
nestness, you can't squirm out of it
that way. Why. bless my SOUL you
could have stuck on him till he drop
ped dead No, Lord Croyland. I'm not
a welsher, nor do l shy at margin of
two minutes. No. sir, Hawk is yours"
For inI,a.. L. |