Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-06-07
JOHNNY
BY MILDRED WHITE


Its glorious day." she said. I'D |
like to 60 out and do something inter |
esting."
The invalid mother sighed.
Il am 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
tertlies that | have not the heart to
claim their attention. Do you, Bee
dear, ever feel that your sacrifice is
roo great?'
"Sacrifice!" jeered Belinda. why,
| dote on taking care of you, mother.
Also, am NO social success. Too
much precious tinle> wasted. in my
opinion, looking after the necessary
tixings to make one continually pre-
sentable. But today tempts me out
of this giided summer inn; where shall
l 60, mother, while you are reading,
and nappingT'
Horseback riding would be novel and
interesting" mother. suggested. why
not try that? There's reliable groom
in the stables here, l am told, engaged
for the purpose of teaching or accom-
panying guests"
what a fine ideal" cried Belinda.
I'll go directly"
The gardens of the pretty summer
hotel slOped back to turreted stables.
| Belinda noticed, as 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 toride horseback. Can you tell
me where to find a groom?'
The man on the pail looked up.
''I'll teach you," he agreed.
Belinda walked briskly past the
stalls. "Pick a gentle pony" she Or
| dered. II will probably have 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.
| Mr.. Butler, at that moment, entered
| the stable.
| II wish to learn to ride" began
| Bee.
And hoy off <o
| interrupted the read-headed 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 call your she asked
the man walking at her side.
"Oh! Call me Johnny" he replied
indifferently.
Johnny was painStaking teacher,
Meadow lane, with its 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."
mo, Pm 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, if
l may. Will you be busy soon seach
ing someone else, Johnny"
Never he answered promptly,
when l can be busy teaching YOU
But if MIR. Butler sends you out ?"
she questioned.
'I1l 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 when
l have enjoyed anything as much as
these riding days
. well, | am glad that someone has
good time" sighed the invalid, for
Cleo and Claire have come home dis
gusted. The same dull crowd ut the
drive again, they said, and tie wealthy
PittSbNrgher still not in evidence"
Belinda chuckled. "Probabfy, she |
remarked. 'the poor man had to run |
to cover, with so many fortune-huntine
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 I
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. "As long as
those high Brownlee relatives of yours
let you out once in Il while to ride
I'm going to be there. That is" he