The Washington herald., 1914-11-08


Ensiee stared at the horses IN dis
gust. When he said, Hop into the
car. Persis; I'll send groom over for.
the nags," Persis shook her head, and
answered:
Il propose to show my horse who is
master. He can't spill me all over the
landscape and get away with ii. You
ride home in the car, and I'll 60 back
as / came"
HAnd a pretty fool you'll make of
me-" Enslee wrangled. Besides, l
haven't ridden much lately; I'm sad
dle-sore"
1--WE been riding every morning in
the park, Persis insisted. '1n lead
your horse back. unless- She hes
itated and looked at Forbes who leaped
at the cue.
"Pd be glad to ride him, if you don't
object, Mr. Enslee."
Enslee stared at Forbes, saw nothing
Interior in his eyes, and yielded withl a
bad grace. y
And so they mounted. Persis' horse
was humbled beyond struggle; but
Enslee's big black had lately tossed his
rider over his head He tested the seat
of his new visitor. Forbes was West
Pointer, a cafalryman, and the horse
had not made more than one pirouette
before he understood that he was be-
stridden by one whom il was best to
obey
Willie tried at first to keep the motor
back with the horses, but Persis order
ed him to 60 about bis business, and
turned off the hard track to a soft
road.
And now at last they were free,
Forbes and Persis, cantering along
plushy road, a lovers lane that mount
ed up and up till they paused at the
height TO give the horses breath.
as it possible that we're actually
afone?" Forbes gloated, turning in his
saddle to take her in IN her brisk,
youthful beauty.
81 shouldn't exactly call It alone up
here on the mantel-piece of the world
in broad daylight" Persis smiled. But
it's nice, isn't it?"
Wonderful, to be riding with youP
Pm immensely happy" she said.
Even the horses know the difference.
You rida- splendidly, don't you?"
DO II" he said. "As you told me
the first time / met you, I'm glad you
like me-"
81 more than that, now"
More than like mel"
NUmm-hummp
Love me
"Umm-hun1m
'If ! could only brush away all OF
these houses and people and take you
in my armsi If this were only Sa-
hars or MojaveP
Sometimes think I'd love to live
ION a desert island. Couldn't you buy
me a desert island somewhere-a thor
oughly equipped desert island with hot
and cold water and automatic cook
ing?"
"Pn see if there's one in the mar
ket"
1T would be a fine addition to the
same old town and country house and
yacht. Had you thought where you will
have your-our country place?"
"Er-no, hadn't"
His heart was humping. She grew
more exquisite as she grew more fairy
like in her visions. He could not tell
her the truth-not yet-not, at least,
till they had passed through the woods
ahead, where there was a promise of
opportunity for at least a moments
embrace, at least one hasty kiss.
They logged on in silence awhile, she
pondering like a solemn child, he long
ing to give her the toys ske, kept imag-
lining. They drew into the thicket,
shady and soft with breeze that gan
dered about murmuring Wool wool"
and leaves that whispered "Kissl kiss !"
and deep forest voice that mumbled
"LoveP
No one was visible ahead. He turn
ed and stared back. They were shut
in by a projecting hill that seemed to
close after them like door. He leaned
sidewise with arm outstretched to en-
fold her waist. But with a quick lift
of her hand and a scratch of the spur
she carried her horse aside and ahead.
''You mustn'tP she warned. "Reallyl
"And you won't let me kiss you
now?"
But we couldn't go spooning about
in the daylight, could we? Not even
if we were an old married couple,
could me?"
Il suppose not. But when-when
are We going to be an old married cou-
ple?"
whenever you say" she said, with
a shy down-look WED have toNan-
nounce our engagement, suppose, and
then it would take a long time TO get
my clothes made"
Would it?"
''Yes. l haven't thing. Pm in per-
feet rags And besides, a bride ought
to begin new. Isn't It thrilling to be
talking of such thingsl Am I blushing
as red as l feels"
You're rose on FIRE"
'I feel deliciously ninny. Can you
get away from your hateful army for
a good long honeymoon, do you sup
poser"
81 don't know"
"Oh, well, it doesn't matter so long
jas we are together, does it?"
do you feel that way?" he asked,
hungrily.
Terribly. I love you'll love you
hideously much. Watch outI Will you
never learn that somebody's always
looking IA whole picnic this time"
They were nearing Pocantico Lake.
Ind thicket on its shores a wagon-load
of villagers had finished its basket
lunch and scattered in rather dreary
effort at inexpensive happiness.
As they rode on she shuddered.
''What an odiouS thing to be like thatI
Suppose you lost your job in the army
and we got very poor, and I had to take