The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-30
%THIRTY-ONE

Gdyle SlIlllcu W N
lied that her position at the mo-
ment required a certain dignity,
nevertheless she had to be practl-
cal. too.
Jeremy she began, Il don't
believe it would be wise for US to
ride more than an hour this first
time. Do your"
She implied that there might be
other times. because she really
meant that there should be. This
horseback ride was the first date"
Jeremy had requested of her.
Somehow she knew it vas the first
time he had ever asked a girl to
90 on a social event with him,
and if he chose riding she had no
intention of letting that advantage
slip. She could use it, maybe, to
make him take the initiative again.
''Why, ah, l hadn't thought,
Gayle. It's a lovely morning, and"
"Oh. isn't it? But the truth is.
Jeremy, l am not used to riding.
There are muscles and things, and
I'd be Gripping around. You won't
think I'm a killjoy?"
"Oh, l say, Gale, no! I never
thought of that. 1 used to ride out
west. l guess it would make us
sore. l never thought - ha, ha!
Sure. Sure, we'd better turn back
now. It's already an hour. Maybe
tomorrow
''Of course, Jeremy. Any time.
l love it, really. I'm SO glad you
asked mel" The smile she gave
him was quite insurance enough of
a second date. He didn't say SO.
but she was astute enough to see
it in the warmth of his eyes.
I've got to stop flirting" she
told herself seriously then, "or
he'll really be falling in love with
me. I just want him to imagine
he is"
1t was Jeremy's suggestion that
they dismount and walk the last
quarter-mile or so, in order to
"stretch their legs" and release
the cramped muscles that would
otherwise be. saddle weary. This
walking, Jeremy remembered
from western years, vas a trick
all good horsemen know.
He helped her from the saddle
as they came to the Merrifield es-
tate. They were at the west en-
trance this time. A gate there,
long unused, could be unchanged,
they found. Going through it and
up the winding old path had a
certain zest as of exploration. They
could walk side by side, leading
their horses, and evidently such a
thing had happened before because
when they loitered the gentle ami.
mails nudged the boy and girl ir
the back to urge them on.
Jeremy. had not talked much this
morning. The sheer strangeness O.
riding again, and especially of rid
ing out in public with a beautiful
girl, had an obvious effect on him
They had chosen to ride down
Montrose Manor onto the country
club bride paths. They discovered
that they could have gone on ane
on Indefinitely, for the path led te
the banks of a creek that wounc
on out of the residential area into
a region of forest and farmlands
Gayle had made a mental note te
go farther there next time. The
beauty Of the countryside, and the
subtle exhilaration of riding horses
which is unlike any other sport ir
the world, made conversation I'm
necessary, really. Gayle had come
not to mind Jeremy's ~reticence
abtlt speech. She sensed that he
was happiest when not expected
to talk and she, too, could be evel
so happy just looking and think
ing.
He seemed to feel that he hae
been inadequate as an escort
though, when they started up tn,
shaded path back at home.
Il guess l didn't make it yer,
entertaining, Gayle. I-see here,
can be frank with you'll honestl,
don't know what to say to girl
much, Gayle!"
She looked at him in quick sur
prise. 1t was an honest admission
and a decidedly brave one.
She touched his arm, squeeze
it in genuine feeling. That's al