The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-12-11


tie OF whisky. swallowed some OF il,
though / didn't like it, and smoked
cigarette with him, which didn't trou-
bic me no much. | took quite a fancy
to him from the start and anticipated
pleasantly my approaching rides with
him over the plantation. But ! gasped
for breath every time l thought about
meeting his mother in the morning
As TO his sisters. thank heaven he had
none.
Mrs. vnrney is just too lovely for
anything. When had finally screwed
up my courage to 60 down to break
fast her son had finished his meal and
had gone out SO | WAS received by
her alone. breakfasted principally
ON fruit. Mrs. Varney chatting with me
the while.
"'Now, my dear boy she said. you
must make yourself entirely at home.
Go TO bed and rise when you like. eat
and drink what you want, but | would
advise you to keep out of doors as
much as possible. Bert asked me to
say to you that he will start to ride
over the plantation at 10 o'clock this
morning. and II you wish to join him
am to order horse for you. How
did you leave your dear mother?
You're looking better than | expected
to fnd you-a little pale, but when
you have spent n month in the open
air with Bert you'll have more color in
| your cheeks
II should think so. Indeed. | felt the
color coming into my cheeks every
time | looked at my trousers. | de-
cided to ride with Bert that very morn
ing and in half an hour went out on
to the veranda. booted and spurred. |
had ridden in divided skirts, which
was n fine preparation for riding in
breeches. Bert, who had already been
out on horseback, rode up, and when |
had mounted we started on the daily
rounds.
II studied Bert's countenance in an
effort TO make out how far successful
/ was in persOnating man. He didn't
! give me the slightest evidence that
there was anything unusual in me,
| treating me as n man would naturally
! treat another man several years young
er than himself. He was very kind
! and attentive, telling me all about the
orange culture. the dangers incurred
and the pleasure experienced after
passing a season of them in gathering
an abundant crop. i reined in several
times during the morning under a tree
to pluck ripe fruit. How much more
delicious is an orange eaten just off
| the tree than one picked green and
sent north. ripening on the way.
1T would require several hundred
pages Of this letter paper-especially
written in my scrawly hand-to give
you an account of my experience with
Bert Varney. l thought him a very
pure man, for l noticed that he said
not a word to me but what he might
have spoken to girl companion.
came at once TO have so great a
reverence-admirat ratton-for him partly
ON this account that ! took pains to
repress the hoyden nature to which l
was born, and up to a few days be
fore l was expecting to leave for home
| deported myself in an exemplary man
| ner.
You know that riding horseback is
my hobby, and If had been a man |
would have long ago broken my neck
at fence or ditch. There were no
fences at the plantation except some
inclosing orange groves, but the bitches
were constant temptation to me. l
was afraid that If l should get a fall
in taking one of them it might lead to
betraying my sex. After resisting
many temptations / yielded one morn
ing and, making run for a ditch, at
tempted to put my horse over it. |
felt the bottom Of the universe drop
ping out beneath me, thud, and l
knew nothing more till l saw Bert
bending over me. Ny coat and vest
were both open, and my shirt and un-
dervest had been badly torn. / saw
in moment that my secret was out.
! Though was badly stunned, felt the
hot blood rushing into my cheeks.
Now, wasn't this just too provoking
for anything? l was lying on the
ground, but gathered strength to sit
up and rearrange my clothing, though
about all / could do was to button my
coat Then clapped both hands to
my burning cheeks and would have
kept them there had Bert not gently
pulled them away.
Don't trouble yourself. I've known
It ever since the evening you came
to us
''He said no more at the time; he
was too much concerned about my In
jury. / made an effort to rise, but 1t
was not very successful. However,
with Bert's assistance got on to my
feet. / took no thought as to bruises
or broken bones or internal injuries. i
was Mortified at my secret being out
and the manner of its exposure. Ny
head was hung while my companion
was trying TO get some Of the dirt of
my clothes, at the same time looking
ut me with anxiety