South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-12
HELEN Is FORCED INTO n
SUBTERFUGE TO CONCEAL
\ LIE TOLD LONG AGO.
By MABEL HERBERT URNER.

a lesson in my life.
"An you have TO do is to sit well
back in the saddle, and don't saw
on the reins.'
She is Reassured.
"Oh, but I've always been afraid
Of horses. 1 love them-love TO pet
them but the thought of riding one
terrihes me-"
1T won't after you've ridden a few
times. Wait until / get dressed and
Wen go right over to the stable now
and you'll take your first lesson.
They have an enclosure there back
of the stables and no one can see
you"
An hour later Helen was mounted
on sedate, gentle horse with a rid
ing master beside her.
Right shoulder back--elbows in!
Hold the reins a little lower please.
There, that's better. No, not so
tight, on the curb" were the bewilder-
ing instructions Helen tried desper-
ately to follow.
AS she was slight and supple, she
should have looked well on a horse,
quickly and her nervous fear made it
more difficult.
The first lesson was only on the
reins and the position in the saddle.
But the reins were painfully confus-
ing Helen could not remember the
difference between the shuttle and the
curb, nor the fingers between which
to hold them. And when she went
back to the hotel she tied some tape
to the bedpost in imitation Of the
reins in 4 vain effort to solve it out
there.
The next morning. as soon as War
rem had left for the city. she started
for her second lesson. This was on
posting rising 10 the trOt. The
held her arm while they trotted
slowly around the ring. BY lifting
her elbow at each step. he tried to
| show her how and when TO rise. But
it was long before Helen could get
into the swing of it.
mo. not so rigid--don't hold your
self SO stiff Relax here! Give your
self up to the motion of the horse.
Put more weight on the stirrup. no,
keep your heel down-like this. Now.
once more"
The lessons were costing Helen 90
each, and as she had arranged TO
have eight before Sunday, that would
be SIC which would take almost all
she had saved toward the bookcase
she was so anxious TO give Warren at
Christmas. But she would have time
10 save something more before then.
And now no sacrifice was too great
il she could only learn 70 ride. al
least possibly we'll before Sunday.
Mrs. Stevens was giving her much
CncouraSement and assurance. And
Helen had taken the instructor par
italy into her confidence. Ter in
no other way could she explain her
eaEe-Hess 10 learn in so short a time.
no. you don't rise 10 the center!
Sir close &c the saddle-ani we'll back.
Give yourself 20 the motion Of the
hOrse--it's Tocking-chair move
ment. And watch that right shoulder,
You'd co better z You didn't try so
hard. You, bUt don't hold yourself
SO stir. Take Z easy. Learn 10
relax"
Learn 20 relax. with every Muscle
rigid with nervous fear. AZ times
she was filled with despair lit seemed
shat she could never learn. But after
he rOuTth ride the instructor said
briefly. THAT was much better. You'll
soon have a good seat Now. il you'll
only learn 10 handle Your reins' And
Heleu's hopes were swept to the
heights.
She had two more days, four more
lessons, Now that she was started.
what might she accomplish in thar
time L only she could get through
this sunday morning ride without DO
traying herself 70 Warren--she would
ask nothing more