The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-01-28

and rode full tilt Tor the fence again.
But. arrived at the fence, the horse
refused to jump. The girl gave lit
tie cry of annoyance.
SILLY Rajah!'' she said You should
be ashamed of yourself. You could
take it easily. l know you could.
Now, then, once more!"
Again she wheeled the horse and
cantered away, only to turn him and
ride for the fence once more.
Gray in his interest quite forgot
himself. He vaulted the low wall
that separated the orchard from the
z field and ran forward.
"Don't try itr' he cried warningly.
"It's too hight He'll never do it in
the worldI''
The girl turned to look at him cold
ly. Then she smiled.
"Oh, yes he willv' said she. "An he
needs is little confidence"
"DoH't try again." said he.
She raised her eyebrows. 81 can't
stop now" said she. "He must go
over that fence now that he knows it
''Then let me put him to it." said he
The girl looked surprised. Aren't
you the philosopher friend Of the Rem
wicks?" she asked.
81 am" he confessed. Involuntari-
ly he Strengthened his STOPPING shout
ders. But even philosophers some
times ride" said he. I'D like to put
him to, the fence If you don't mind"
Instantly the girl slid from the sad
die. "Do SO by all MEANS" she sug-
gested. 1--WE been trying It all the
morning, and I confess Pm beginning
to doubt my ultimate success with
him."
Gray looked at her pretty flushed
face and her sparkling eyes.
Sand if 1 succeed what reward do
I get? he inquired boldly.
The girl laughed. "You may have q
canter with me up to Bald hill and
back" said she.
Gray sprang into the saddle. A man
in sidesaddle is not a particularly
graceful figure. But there was a
light in his eyes and general deter
mination in his whole bearing that
went far toward making up for his
lack of grace.
Three times he put the horse to the
fence, each time with no success. The
fourth time he piled the crop freely.
They reached the fence, and the big
horse rose lightly, cleared the top bar
by a good two feet and landed easily
on the other side.
"Bravow cried the girl. Splendid!
Splendid! Splendidw And even the
groom ventured an involuntary "Well
done, sirv'
T"And now" said Gray, his eyes
glowing, with eager light, II shall
claim that canter with you. Shall we
go nowY
He slipped from the saddle and help
ed her to mount. r..
"You will take Peters horse" she
said, turning to the groom. "Come
onv' a"
Up the field they galloped gayiy to-
gether, swung into the road and head
ed for Bald hill. Back in the orchard
a woodpecker chased nimble grass
hopper over the pages of work Of
German philosophy.
Just as they reached the bend near
the summit Of the hill they encounter
ed Renwick and his party in the two
road cars coming down the road.
Mrs. Renwick stared in wonder. Her
husband chuckled openly. Gray lifted
his hat, utterly without embarrass-
ment, and, with the girl at his side,
went on up the hill.
=
"To think of itv' exclaimed Mrs.
Renwick some two weeks later, car
thur engaged to that Carlton girl!
Why, she can't draw a breath without
talking horse. and that's all she can
talkv'
Renwick looked out the French win
dow to the drive beyond, where Gray
was helping decidedly pretty young
woman to her horse.
"For my part, Agatha" said he,
with deep conviction, II am nightly
rejoiced. It shows that for all his In
tellect he has a decidedly human
streak In him"