Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-01

the moorland and finging up with fierce of
delight and triumph, set off in a mad gallon. The
pace terrifc-Irs went like the wind-but Mar
iorie superb horsewoman, and was in no danger
Of losing her seat Iris could not keep this pace Tor
ever and when she was breathed would be more con
trollable; though then she might take to some
vicious trick, such trying to throw her rider,
standing stock still and refusing to bulge an inch
which, at distance of perhaps ten miles from home,
and many from any other dwelling, would be awk
ward, to say the least of it.
But Mariorie's own breath began to ebb after a
few miles of this pace. There checking Iris,
who, gripping the bit firmly in her strong white teeth
swept onward and seemed to laugh at her young
rider futile efforts if she saying to herself
g All right, my dear! You would ride me, and now
ii give you a lesson. -
A.esson it wasi Not till full eight miles were cov-
cred did Iris begin to slacken her mad galop and by
that time Marjorie S breath coming in sobbing
gasps; but even then the mare refused to be pulled
up; for three miles she went at reduced
seed dropped presently into tired trot, and at last
stopped, painting and exhausted, with dropping heal
andsquivering flankS.
Marjorie, thoroughly pumped out slipped from
the saddle and dropped down among the heather dizzy
and breathess Iris, naturally, the first to
cover, and began to crop the grass in very uncon
cerned manner, while Marjorie still lay the ground,
getting back her lost breath, and feeling-truth to
tel-very miserable indeed Here she was quite four
teen miles from home, and it doubtful whether
Iris could be trusted to make the-reurn journey with
out display of perious caprice of one kind or an
other. The wild ride had subdued the girl s head
strong temper and willful spirit she began to think
remorsefuly of her cousin S soicitude-the deadly
anxiety he must be enduring! What must he think
of her-her cruelty, her follye He did for her;
she saw it in his eyes-n that look which had made
her angry then-but now! Things seem different be-
fore, and-afterl
By and by Marjorie sat up and looked about her
The gray of approaching evening creeping
the landscape, but the girl not afraid, only she
was feeling utterly lost and desolate. The hot tears
welled up and rolled down her cheeks. What would
she not have given to the tall figure of her cousin
in
her distress, much frankly to herself though
she did own she had been selfish and willful
But it no good sitting here crying like fool
she muttered; she must think about getting home.
One thng-she had not come to grief with Iris after
all, though she was honest enough to admit this
mere fighting chance -
If the mare had taken the other way Mar
jorie shuddered and started to her feet Could she
trust Iris! If not, there was nothing for it but to
wak-fourteen miles
Marjorie resolved to risk Iris if Iris would consent
She went up to the mare who lifted her head and
looked quite meek and nnocent the vice had been run
out of her for the time. She hungry, and want
ed to get home, she allowed herself to be mounted
and started the return journey without any nonsense
The dusk deepened; the night came In the last
few miles Mario could have cried from sheer
hunger and weariness; but her ndomitabe pride came
to her aid as she approached the house. and she sat
erect in the saddle and braced herself to meet what
ever had to be met. AS for Wilford, he would be
glad to see her that She flushed and trembed
alone in the Darkness and left the thought indefinite
The lodgekeeper out in the greatest excitement
to meet the truant thanking heaven for her safe re-
turn. ''The master in dreadful way MISS - she
cried, and the grooms have been hunting for you
and Mr.. Guise.'
rs my cousin at home?" Marjorie interrupted
No, miss, he amt back yet; he been gone
many hours.
Marjorie nodded. She felt choking, and with few
broken words went on her way Her father received
her as if she were returned prodgal. Now that he
had her safe back, the weak, indulgent was in
clined to regard his daughters conduct as a mere
rehu
But Marjorie far too conscious of her own de.
linquency to take comfort from leniency that she
knew-for the first time in her lfe-was not deserved
If only Wilford would return! Hungry though she
she cond scarcely eat ANYTHING. and living down