The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-11-01
Married Life
the Second Year
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

Helen stood on the hotel veranda
and gazed out at the four saddle
horses impatiently paving the gravel.
With her black straw sailor, plain
white shirt waist and the riding
skirt Mrs. Stevens had brought down
tor her from town, she looked very
rim aad girlsh.
But her heart was beating fast with
lear and GrCad In spite of all the rid
ing lessons she had crowded into the
last few days, she was far from sure
that she could ride.
The cantcr had seemed easier than
the trOt. and if she could only keep
the horse IN a slow canter, she felt
she might get through their ride with
out bctraying herself.
Warren had ordered the horses the
night before, and she had ventured TO
say she would like one that was quiet
and gentle because she hadn't ridden
for so long
HORSES ALL QUIET.
"Oh, all these horses down here will
be quiet enough" he had answered
careIessly. "YOu don't think you are
going to get any spirited animals IN
summer resort stable, do you? II go
down and look them over and get the
best they've got; but I'll Wannant
they'll not be much.
But to Helen, as she stood there and
watched them, while they chafed at
their bits and paved the gravel rest
lessly, they seemed very spirited in
deed.
She almost wished that when this
ride was suggested last week she had
told Warren the truth--that she could
not ride-that she had never ridden!
That long before they were married
when she had told him she cOuld-lt
was only because of a foolish mOmen-
tarv impulse. He had chided her
with knowing nothing of outdoor
sports, and, feeling that she must
have some accomplishment, she had
said that she could ride. And never
since then had she had the courage to
confess the truth.
Mrs. Stevens came out now in her
well-ftting linnen habit. ooh, you're
here already"
Yes. Warren'l be down in mo-
ment. I hurried out to see the horses.
Oh, I'm getting SO frightened! | know
I'll give it all away
"Now. you'll get through all right
if you'll only think so! I'll ask them
to ride Oh ahead for little while SO
can ride with you. That's give you
chcncc to get used to your horse.
oh, here comes Mr.. Stevens! DO
ask him to help us mount before War
rem comes cut. I've been dreading to
have Warren help me mount. He'll be
sure to see how awkward | am.
Fred" Mrs. Stevens called to her
husband, come and help us mount.
Wen not wait for Mr. Curtis. He'll be
Cut in moment
Mrs. Stevens who was an accom-
into the saddle. And if Mr.. Stevens
noticed how heavily Helen mounted
fer so slight a person, and how awk-
warGly she sat and more awkardly
gathered up her reins, he made no
comment.
WARREN ARRIVES.
"Oh. you're mounted Already call
ed Warren as he hurried down the
gravel path. Sorry to keep you wait
ing. but | haven't had these leggings
on for so long, | had to tussle with
the straps.
While during the two years of her
married life Helen had kept War
ren's riding Ereeches and boots and
leggins carefully packed away on the
TOP shelf of his closet, she had never
before seen him wear them. And now
in spite of her nervous fear of her
horse. she thrilled with pride as she
saw how handsome, how thoroughbred
how n.ch more of the real horseman
he looked than even Mr. Stevens, who
rode frequently
Warren swung himself into the sad
die with careless grace. He was busy
with one of the obstinate straps OF
his walters and had hardly glanced at
Helen.
You two ride on ahead" called out
Mrs Stevens. And he and Mr.. Stevens
started off together.
It was a good road and as it was
early Sunday morning they had 1T al
most to themselves.
''Oh, if you can only keep them rid
ing on ahead murmured Helen. I'm
so nervous and frightened-Tve for
gotten everything I learned. Look
show me quick. Have l got my reins
right?"
mo. wait. your snaffle comes or
top" Mrs. Stevens leaned over anc
deity adjusted the reins in Helen's
hands"
So far they had been walking. bu
now, as Warren and Mrs. Stevens
broke into a trOt, ahead of them, theil
horses strated up too.
Mrs. Stevens glanced at Helen anX
iously She was very pale and wa!
holding desperately to the reins In
stead of posting to the trot as she
had learned 10 do fairly we'll in th'
last few lessons. she was being joltet
heavily by the horse.
TRY to post! If he were to turf
round now-yOu'd give the who'll
thing away"
oh, can't can't. This horse
seems different"
"Then canter, canter, urged Mrs
Stevens. THAT'S be easier" maxim: