Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-07-07
JOHNNY
BY MILDRED WHITE

abb. i'll Il !ouug!ng wi ker chair. then
,urucd II the window.
Its glorious day" She said I'D
rStnS.'
The invalid mother sighed.
II AIN sorry, my dear" she regretted.
ito keep you tied to me like this. but
YOU are my reliable What would
do without my little Busy Bee? Claire
and Cleo are such gay and happy but
TEXTILES that l have not the heart to
claim their attention. Do you. Bee
dear. ever feel that your sacrifice is
too greatT'
'Sacritice!" jeered Belinda. "Why,
| dote on taking care Of you, mother.
Also. I am no social success. Too
much precious time wasted. In my
opinion. looking after the necessary
tixingS to make one continually pre-
sentable. But today temptS me out
Of this silded summer inn; where shall
I 60, mother. while you are reading
and napplng?"
"HorSehack riding would be novel and
interesting" mother suggested. "Why
not try that? There's reliable groom
in the stables here. I am told. engaged
for the purpose OF teaching or accom-
panying guests"
What Il fine idea- cried Belinda.
I'll go directly"
The gardens of the pretty summer
hotel sloped back to turrcted stables.
Belinda noticed. us she passed the gar
age that her sisters automobile was
absent. They were to drive today, she
recollected. with party. down the
river road. A wealthy young Pitts
burgher arrived at the fashionable sum-
mer settlement, and was being lavish
ly entertained.
Belinda stood In the barn doorway.
looking about for the groom.
"Hello!" she greeted youth seated
near on an upturned pail. I'D like
to learn to ride horseback. Can you tell
ME where to find a groom?"
The man on the pail looked up.
"Ill teach YOU" he agreed.
Belinda walked briskly past the
stalls. "Pick a gentle pony" she Or
dered. II will probably have a hard
time hanging on. anyway. Where do
we go to learn"
Meadow lane Is the best place"
said the young man as he was leading
from its stall black pony. Belinda
considered the groom, as she waited.
MIR. Butler. ut that moment, entered
the stable.
81 wish to learn to ride" began
Bee.
And l have offered to teach her"
interrupted the read-headcd man.
Tell her that I'm all right at the Job,
Mr.. Butler"
The manager smiled 'There Is no
more capable teacher, Miss Brownlee,"
he advised.
SO Belinda mounted her pony.
"What shall I call you?' she asked
the man walking ut her side.
"Oh! Call me Johnny" he replied
indlfferently.
Johnny was a palnstaking teacher.
Meadow lane, with It's sweet scents
and shadowy paths, was a delightful
lesson place.
Johnny" she asked one day. "are
you Irish? You say things in the fun
niest way, and you've got Tilt in your
voice"
NO. I'm not Irish," answered
Johnny. "but my grandfather was.
Are you coming again tomorrow? You
are doing fine"
"Yes, I'm coming tomorrow" said
Bee, land the morrow after that. il
l may. Will you be busy soon, teach
Ing someone else. johnny"
Never" he answered promptly,
"when l can he busy teaching you"
''But If Mr.. Butler sends you out ?'
She questioned.
iii quit my job" declared Johnny,
unless he sends me out with you
Belinda laughed, and the glow Of
her laughter was in her brown eyes
when she sought her mother.
II don't know" Belinda said. "whvu
have enjoyed anything as much as
these riding days"
well, l am glad that someone has
a good time" sighed the Invalid, "for
Cleo and Claire have come home dis
gusted. The same dull crowd at the
drive again, they said, and the wealthy
Plttsburgher still not in evidence"
Belinda chuckled. "Probably,' she
remarked, "the poor man had to run
to cover, with so many fortunehunting
beauties on his trail"
Johnny" she told the groom, some
time later, II am really sorry now that
can ride so well. There is no excuse
for claiming your services. You have
been so jolly and kindly and nice alto
gether that-I'm going to miss you.
Johnny"
You are not going to miss me-"
said Johnny decidedly. CAS- long no