The Dolores star., 1909-07-09
CHAPTER III.

six and threw out the old fashioned
green blinds. A warm, golden sum-
mer morning greeted his eyes and the
peaceful calm of Sunday lay upon the
land. A robin piped in an apple tree,
an oriole flashed across the flower
beds, and bee buzzed just outside
the sill. brave day, He stepped
into his tub. bathed, and dressed in his
riding clothes, for there was to be a
canter down to the sea and return be.
fore breakfast. From the window he
could see the groom walking the beau.
tiful thoroughbreds up and down the
driveway. There were only two this
morning; evidently Norah was not
going.
The Cavenaugh girls had created al
most a scandal and a revolution when
they first appeared at Glenwood. Peo.
pie had read and talked about women
riding like men. they had even seen
pictures of them. but to find them
close at hand was something Of a
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 kimono for a 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 1t not been
for the night and the attendant mys
terfes. his happiness would have been
complete. People waste many pre
cious moments in useless retrospec.
ton; 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
1t 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.
hope / haven't kept you waiting"
Not a moment; / only just got
down myself" said Darlington.
She mounted without assistance
and adjusted her skirts. The filly be-
gan to waltz, impatient to be of.
TO 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 a mile or more. Then Kate drew
down to walk.
What 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 ficked the
elders with her crop, and once or
twice reached up for a ripening an
pie. In the air there was the strange
sea smell. mingled with the warm
scent of clover.
III 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
the 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 q shield for his eyes. Is
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