The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1922-06-08
JOHNNY
BY MILDRED WHITE


Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union
Belinda settled her mother comfort
ably in a lounging wicker chair, ther
turned to the window.
Its glorious day." she said. I'D
like TO go out and do something inter
esting."
The invalid mother sighed.
II 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 Beer 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 great?'
"Sacrifice!" jeered Belinda. "Why,
1 dote on taking care of you. mother.
Also, l am no social success. Too
much precious time wasted. in my
opinion, looking after the necessary
fxings to make one continually pre-
sentable. But today tempts me out
OF this gilded summer inn where shall
l go, mother, while you are reading,
and napping?"
Horseback riding would be novel and
interesting" mother suggested. why
not try that? There's a reliable groom
in the stables here, l am told. engaged
for the purpose of teaching or accom-
panying guests"
"what a fine idea" 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 a 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 a youth seated
near on an upturned pail. I'D like
to learn to ride horseback. Can you tell
me where to find groem?"
The man on the pail looked I'D.
"Fll teach you," he agreed.
Belinda walked briskly past the
stalls. "Pick 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.
Mr.. Butler. at that moment, entered
the stable.
II wish to learn to ride" began
Bee.
"And I have offered to teach her."
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 I call your" she asked
the man walking at her side.
"Oh! Call me Johnny" he replied
Johnny was painstaking teacher.
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
NEST 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
may. Will you be busy soon, teach
ng someone else, Johnny"
Never" he answered promptly.
when / can be busy teaching you"
"But If Mr.. Butler sends you outr'
The questioned.
"I'll 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.
Il don't know" Belinda said, "when
have enjoyed anything as much as
lrese riding days"
swell, l am glad that someone has
good time" sighed the invalid. "for
leo and Claire have come home dis.
Iusted. The same dull crowd at the
lrive again, they said, and the wealthy
still not In evidence"
Belinda chuckled. "Probably.' she