Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-29
Copyright. by ]. B. Llppincott Coz

The sun had mounted high in the
heavens and was shining indulgently
upon the pomp and glory of the
Meadowthrope Hunt clubs annual
horse show when Ralph Goring's dog
cart drew up by the ring-side. The
groom sprang to the horses head and
Ralph and Satterlee leaped down, the
former to join a group of horsemen
who were inspecting the horses in
the ring, and the latter to look for
Grace Rawlings.
Satterlee was stopping with Goring
for the horse show at Oak Lodge,
Ralph's jolly little huntingdon" as
ne liked to call it. The first time Sat
terlee had visited Meadowthorpe he
ship, for Meadowthorpe is sporting
community. On this occasion. how
ever, he felt more at ease, having
taken a tedious course of lessons in a
New York riding school during the
past winter.
To tell the truth, he was horribly
afraid of horses and hated the very
sight of them, but Grace Rawlings,
the Chicago heiress, was staying with
the Bradburys-Bradbu was the
NJ. F. Hand Satterlee's fortunes
were at such a point that his only
hope lay in heiresses. Besides. in
Rome one must do as the Romans do,
and here at Meadowthorpe horse-show
Satterlees horsey attire was quite as
pronounced, if not more so, as that of
any of the other men.
He wore a snuff-colored coat with
red waistcoat, brown riding breech-
es and leggings. Indeed. he was very
smartly turned out, At the last mo-
ment, however, he had welcomed the
/ opportunity of driving over to the
show with Goring in his dog-cart in
stead OF cantering over on a polo
pony. the conveyance adopted by most
of Goring's guests.
Satterlee found Miss Rawlings oc-
cupying a coign of vantage on the
box seat of the Bradbury's drag, and
was welcomed by her with gracious
smile
Good morning, Mr.. Satterlee," she
cried; II am greatly fiattered that you
should speak to me at all"
"Flattered?" repeated Satterlee
How could | flatter you? / don't un
derstand."
ooh. | expected to be entirely neg
lected to-day. With such an impos
ing array of beautiful horses, a mere
girl ought not to expect any attention
at ALL"
But ] assure you, Miss Rawlings
chat if all the horses in the world
were assembled in one place ! could
not see them while you were near.
Very nicely said, indeed" said
Miss Rawlings, with smile. But
alas! ! see that you are in your rid
ing clothes, and you will probably
leave me in five minutes to ride some
ones horse in the saddle class"
Satterlee smiled. Just to show yot
how wrong you are intend to remain
here by you all day. l had promised
to ride one or two horses, but ] will
cancel my engagements"
Indeed, you must not do anything
of the sort; | cannot allow it," in
sisted Miss Rawlings. She was visi
bly, pleased however, much to the dis
gust of Harding who had come VI
just in time to hear part of thei
conversation.
Wentworth Harding was from Chi
cago also, and was known to admir-,
Miss Rawlings immensely. He ant
Grace had known each other sine,
they were both children, and il wa
not very strange. therefore, that h.
rather resented Satterlees cool ap
preparation of the heiress.
Il did not know you were such
keen horseman, Satterlee." he said
mischievously. But Satterlee was no
to be taken off his guard.
ooh, | ride a good DEAL" he said
careleSsly. But ] don't care mucl
for anything but 'cross-country' rid
; ing: it gets rather tiresome on tn
fiat" He had made his bluff and dc
termined to stand by it.
. Harding did not know whether I
be angry or amused. He knew tina
Satterlee could barely stick on
; horse and it made him rage inward
to hear that enterprising youth boas
of his prowess to Grace. He realized
however that it would never do 3
ridicule Satterlee iii her presence, 70
sac seemed more than favorably in
pressed with him, so he choked hi
wrath and fastened off to wher
Ralph Goring and group of hi
friends were standing. To them he RI
lated Satterlee's remarks, much I
their delectation. Harding's wratI
however, was undated, and he cas-
about I'm his mind for some means {
foiling the hateful rival who was. fo
the present, at least, triumphant owe
him: for Grace Rawlings had il
him go without word while she lis
ened to Satterlee's Boosting. He an
Grace were friends of long standin,
but she did not encourage his Low,
making. In his despair he sougf
Mrs. Bradbury, with whom he was
great favorite. and forthwith a plan ,
camnaign was outlined hetWa tho,