The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-04-29

shock. Yet, when they saw with what
ease the Cavenaugh girls took the
hedges, bitches and fences, how their
mounts never suffered from saddle
| gals, and, above all, how the two al
ways kept even pace with the best
| men riders, opinion veered; and sew
eral ladies changed their habits.
Norah, who saw the droll side OF
things, once said that the accepted
riding habit for women reminded her
Of a kimono for harp.
Darlington stole gently down to the
horses. He had great affection for the
sleek thoroughbreds. Their ears went
forward when they saw him, and they
whinnied softly. He rubbed their
velvet noses and in turn they nozzled
him for sugar loaves. Had it not been
for the night and the attendant mys.
| teries, his happiness would have been
complete. People waste many pre-.
cious moments in useless retrospec.
tion; SO Darlington resolutely forced
the subject from his mind. One thing
was certain, the Cavenaughs knew who
the burglar was; and there was some.
thing strange in the idea of an empty
safe in a millionaire's home. Pshaw!
He took out the expected sugar loaves
and extended them on both palms.
The pair Tipped his hand and crunched
the sweets with evident relish.
How are they to-day, james,"
Fit for 20 miles, straight away or
cross lots, sir. Your mount is feeling
his oats this morning; he hasn't been
out for run since Thursday, sir. I've
put the curb on him in case he takes
it into his head to cut up shines.
Here comes Miss Kate, sir"
Carrington's pulse rose. Kate was
approaching them. She was pale but
serene. She smiled a good morning,
which took in the gentleman and the
groom.
II hope I haven't kept you waiting" J."
mot a moment; l only just got
down myself" said Darlington.
She mounted without assistance
and adjusted her skirts. The filly be-
gan to waltz, impatient to be off.
ITO the beach?" Darlington asked.
swinging into his saddle.
She nodded and they started of
toward the highway at smart trot.
Once there, the animals broke into
an easy canter, which they maintained
for mile or more. Then Kate drew
down to a walk.
What a day." said he, waving his
hand toward the sea line
There was color a-plenty on her
cheeks now, and her eyes shone like
precious stones. There is no exhilara-
tion quite like it. She fiicked the
elders with her crop, and once or
twice reached up for ripening ap-
pie. In the air there was the strange
sea smell, mingled with the warm
scent of clover
"1ll race you to the beach," she
cried, suddenly.
Done! I'll give you to the sixth
tree" He laughed. There was really
nothing at all in the world but this
beautiful girl, the horses, and the
white road that wound in and out to
tho sea.
She trotted her mount to the sixth
tree, turned, and then gave the signal
Away they went, the horses every bit
as eager as their riders. With their
ears laid back, their nostrils wide,
their feet drumming, they thundered
down the road. Darlington gained,
but slowly, and he had to hold his
right arm as shield for his eyes, as
the filly's heels threw back a steady
rain of sand and gravel Faster and
faster; a milk wagon veered out just
in time; foolish chickens scampered
to the wrong side of the road, and the
stray pigs in the orchards squealed
and bolted inland. 1t was all verx
fine. And when they struck deep
tawny sand the animals were neck
and neck. 1t was now no easy task to
bring them to a stop. Carrington's
hunter had made up his mind to win,
and the 1.-THE filly was equally deter
mined, AS an expedient, they finally
guided the animals toward the. hull
of an ancient wreck; nothing else
would have stopped them.
How l love it," said Kate, breath.
lessly, as she slid from the saddle.
Beauty, you beat him, didn't you!"
patting the dripping neck of her "a
vorite.
They tethered the horses presently
and sat down in the shade of the
hull.
Nothing like, is there, girl?"
Il hate automobiles" she answered,
irrelevantly.
The old, old sea quarreled murmur-
ously at their feet, and the white gulls
sailed hither and thither, sometimes
breasting the rollers just as they were
about to topple over into running
creamy foam. The man and the girl
seemed perfectly content to remain
voiceless. There was no sound but
the song of the sea; the girl dreamed,
and the man wondered what her
dream was. Presently he glanced at
his watch. He stood up, brushing the
sand from his clothes.
Half an hour between us and break
fast, Kate. All aboard"
The night before might have been
only an idle dream.