Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-08-19
CHAPTER ILL

SIX ana Threw out the Old-faShlOned
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 a bee buzzed just outside
the sill. A 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 e the groom walking the beau
tiful thoroughbreds up and down the
driveway. There were only two this
morning; evidently Norah was moi
going.
The Cavenaugh girls had created al
most a scandal and a revolution when
they first appeared at Glenwood. PEG
pie had read and talked about women
riding like men, they had even seer
pictures of them, but to find them
close at hand was something of @
shock. Yet, when they saw with what
ease the Cavenaugh girls took the
hedges, bitches and fences, how theil
mounts eve 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 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 theil
velvet noses and in turn they nozzlet
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 RETROSPECT
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 OF
cross lots, sir. Your mount is feeling
his oats this morning; he hasn't been
out for a 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.
Il hope haven't kept you waiting
Not a moment; I 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 off
toward the highway at a smart trot
Once there, the animals broke into
an easy canter, which they maintained
for a 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.
ton quite like it. She flicked the
elders with her crop, and once OF
twice reached up for a ripening an
pie. In the air there was the strange
sea smell, mingled with the warn
scent Of clover.
"Ill 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 tc
the sea-.
She trotted her mount to the sixth
tree, turned, and then gave the signal
Away they went, the horses every BIZ
as eager as their riders. With theil
ears laid back, their nostrils wide
their feet drumming, they Numbered
down the road. Darlington gained
but slowly, and he had to hold his
right arm as a shield for his eyes. as
the filly's heels threw back a stead,
rain of sand and gravel. Faster ant
faster; a milk wagon veered out JUS
in time; foolish chickens scamperet
to the wrong side Of the road, and the
stray pigs in the orchards ~squealec
and bolted inland. 1t was all very
fine. And when they struck deer
tawny sand the animals were necl
and neck. 1t was now no easy task t
bring them to a stop. Carr!agton'l
hunter had made up his mind to win
and the 1.-THE flly was equally deter
mined. AS an expedient, they finally
guided the animals toward the hui
Of an ancient wreck; nothing els,
would have stopped them.
How ! 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 IA
vorite.
They tethered the horses present..
and sat down in the shade ~ til,
huh.
gro. BE CONTINrIMDA