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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1925-11-25, Page 7Love The Tyrant 'n the direction of its beloVed Atehle; to rider being no more able to eheck t than a fly. Polly swerved too, and Sather nearly cameoff; but she gap, - ped the pommel and held on spree- tinw or other, and to her credit, be it said, laughed at her own helplesS, nese, As they went up a hill, the horsee. which were by no means bolting, though they were going fast, slack- ened e bit, and a good rider could 4 have got the chestnut in hand easily eneugh; but Mr, Selby Layton was in a mortal funk, and the chestnut knew it and of course took advan- tage of it, When they got to the top of the hill, the horse rushed for- ward again, with his stable in his mind, and the mare followed, • It is not easy for a beginner— • though he or she always has the luck, whether it be at nerds, billiards or riding—to go at full pace down a hill, and Esther found herself sway- i•ng in a dangerous fashion. She had got half -way clown when she saw a • horseman cantering acmes the fields •on her left. Even at that moment, she recognized himit was jack Gor- don riding the anbroken. colt; and even at that moment, she noticed and • admired enviously the ease and grace ' with which he rode. • He pulled up as he saw them; then suddenly he seemed to recognize her danger, for he touched the colt with his heel and bounded forward, and Esther saw him coming towards her like an arrow from a, bow. He rode ata slant with the evident intention of heading her; but Esther felt sure he cbuld not reach her for there was a fairly high hedge between the field and the road. Jack was quite as aware of the hedge as she was, and he was not at All sure that the colt, which was only half -bred, would face it, but he held the young thing *ell in hand, and as they approached the obstacle he drove the spurs in and lifted the , colt with a word of encouragement l It hesitated for a moment, then it , rose, cleared the hedge like a bird, t :and landede Jack within a few paces of the mare. Long ago he bed seen that Esther -could not ride, and he called out in a voice of command : "Sit tight, and don'tbe afraid l" Then he put the colt to its ut- most overtook the mare, and rode beside it for a moment or two be- fore he slid his hand along the mare's I bridle, and gradually with perfect I •ease, brought it to a standstill. Esther jogged and jumped -„in her l saddle, then she looked at Jack—at the man who had rescued her—and laughed with a mingled sense of re- lief and annoyance. Her hat was on I one side, her wonderful hair 'had half escaped from its coil, her face was 'flushed, her lips parted; she looked lovely and bewiching enough to stir . the pulses of any man; but Jack was not thinking of her beauty but of her audacity and the risk from which he had saved her, "That's not the pace to come down a hill," he said, almost roughly. "On an old horse, too. If she'd stumbled, where would you have been?" - At another time, Esther would cer- tainly have resented his speech .and • the tone in which it was uttered; but ' she was too flurried now for tesent- ment, "On my head, I suppose," she said with a laugh that quivered in spite of herself. "It's the first time I've been on horseback--" "So I ehould say," Jack broke In. "But why on earth didn't you go with a man who knew the ropes?" "Oh, I was with Mr. Selby Layton who knows how to ride," she said. lack looked` after the disappearing ehestnut, • whose rider was clinging on to its mane like grim death, and wailed grimly. "Oh, does he? It looks like it!' Esther glanced after the vanishing horseman anxiously. "Oh, can't he? Do you think he'll come to any Warm?" "No," said Jack, curtly, "His horse is slackening off. take him to the stables 'safe enough. What on earth possessed you, who can't vide, to go out alone,with him?" "1 dicln't know," said Esther, al- most meekly. "Need you ,hold my bridle?" The mare was lldgeting to rejoin Iter companion.' "Yes," said Jack. "She may holt or she mayn't; so 1 won't chalice it, Loosen your reins; you're fretting h. Miss Vaneourt, you have been very foolish. You might have had a serlous accident. If you wanted to ride, and didn't knew anything about it, why didn't you take lessons?" "Who could 1 take lessons di" asked Esther. "I didn't know there wee cloy danger*" "III teach yam" said lack, thought* lesely "Oh, but woaldn't it be a great deal of trouble." asked Thither, with a mock humility which was lost upon Jack, who was only a Mere mart. "1 datesay," he said; "but 1 don't mind, Anything's better than that you should risk your neck in this "All right," said leek; "I'll go with yon," She said nothing to this; but as they reached the lodge, Mrs, Martin came out with Nettie In her arms; and at sight of Jaek the child set up a cry of welcome. "Here I am Jack, twite ready," she said. ' "Can't take you now,' said Jack. "Promised to carry her out for a lit - tie while," he explained to Bather. She pulled up at once. ,"You shan't break your, word. T, can ride home all right." . "No," said Jack. "It's not far; you can walk. I won't trust you out of my sight." She tried to look at him haughtily; but SC/mellow or other the look brolte down. "Very well, walk," the said. • Jack gave the two horses into George's care, and took Nettie in his arms, and he and Esther walked side by side towards the Towere, They were very silent, but Nettie did all the talking that was necessary. "I thought oo'd never come, Jack," she said, "and I was nearly kying; but mother said you was sure to come, 'cos she's never known you break your word, How nicely yoa carry use! Isn't he strong, Miss Van - court, and isn't he nice? I love Jack; don't .y.au Miss Vancourt?" The blood suffused Esther's face, but Jack did not seem at all =bares - sad. "Little girls should never ask per- sonal questions, Nettie, my'ehild!" he said. "No?" said Nettie. "I'm sorry, but T like you, Tack, and so ought she, 'cos your good and kind," Jack said nothing to this, but hoist- ed her into a more comfortable posi. tion, They entered the wood, Esther with rather a downcast face, for the child's remark had embarassed her. "Isn't she heavy. she asked.. "Let me carry her!" "She's like a feather," said Jack, "You're all right, Nettie,. eh?" "Quite comfy," said -Nettie. "If oo'll bend your head, Jack, I'll give you a ties." Jack bent his head and she kissed him. "Wouldn't you like to tiss him too, Miss Vancourt?" said Nettie. "Mother says he saved you from a nasty accident; she saw him catch (•- vez: absurd fashion." They bad ridden on, and by this time lied reached the home farm, "If you have done scolding rite, Mr. • Gordon,", said Platter, with danger - OM sweetness, "VII tide home." isameama- YOU' hangs on the hill," Bother's face flamed, Jack put his hand over the child's month, "Shut up, Nettie," he said, quite calmly. "You are talking nonsense." But though he waa calm, Bather was trembling, and she glaneed at him under her long lasheii, Jack did not see the glance; but it Was seen and noted by IC.ate Transom, who, • sheltered by a tree, was looking gt them. She had been gathering sticks, a bundle of which she held In her hand, and she had drawn out ef sight and watched them, She caught the glance, which passed unoticed,by Jack, and it was like a dart piercing her bosom. She shrank behind the tree; her face _paled suddenly, and her hand, which held her shawl, gripped at her heart its well. CHAPTER XL Now, while Esther was walking through the wood with lack, and Net- tie of the embarassing remarks, the chestnut had raced homewards with about as much regard for the un- fortunate man on his back as if he were a fly. Mr, Selby Layton clung on to the mane like grim death, but, all the same, was nearly flung over the horse's head as it tore into the stable -yard and stopped suddenly at the, door of its own stall. Giles and. some stable -helps rushed to Mr. Sciby Layton's assistance, and he got down and stood surveying the hateful animal with mingled fear and rage. He was bathed in perspire - tin which trickled in a muddy chan- nel down his hot faee; his collar had come undone, his neck -scarf was all awry, and he was trembling with fright and exhaustion; indeed, he was 1 such a pitiable -looking object that even Giles, full of contempt as he was, could scarcely refrain from compassionating him. "That horse is a vicious animal, and extremely dangerous," said Mr. Layton, when he could speak, "He bolted with use, and would have broken my neck if I hadn't been able to hold on." Giles was too well-trained a ser- vant to show his contempt. "Very sorry, sir; never known to bolt before the' is rather free, but he only wants a little managing. Where's Miss Vancourt, sir? I hope she's safe." Selby Layton had been too much occupied in thinking of his own safe- ty to bestow a thought upon Esther; and he looked round, as if he ex- pected to see her immediately behind him. "Oh, yes," he stammered, "she was just behind use. Her horse was quite quiet." oimi.643 vomourt leJust coming ,through the wood, air," said one of the stablemen, "She is walking,” grettibtlYLeaiRtrt4)o lilivowidaglkitthhevre's gely7,40ar auntt jlt y eye,awaslnnothipo s pa:writ; 00itt 0011diwtitienatf b to Met her, buttoning hia collar, setting his tie straight, and trying to mop himself into a semblance of voelness. Ile was still full of inward rage And relf-reproneh. He had been an awful foul to venture upon a horse when he knew so little about riding; the whole business was most tinter - innate; for Selby Layton was too glover- not to know that nothing is more disastreus for a man than to appear ridiculous in the eyes of .0 woman, Why hadn't he been con- tent to confine hintself to Itis singing and playing and other "parlour tricks," and left the noble art of horsemanship to commoner men? As he crossed the lawn he saw that Esther was not alone; and the fact that her companion was that "impudent fellow" from the -farm, as Selby Layton called him, did not tend to make him more cheerful; but he smoothed the nasty twist from his lips and assumed an expression of tender anxiety as he drew near. Es- ther did not see him for a moment, for she was talking and laughing with Nettie, and seemed quite absorbed in the child; and she looked up as Sel- by Layton appeared, as If she had quite forgotten how they had parted. "I do hope you are not hurt," lie exclaimed, anxiously. "Oh, not in the least," replied Es-, ther. "Were you hurt?" "Oh, no," said Selby Layton, with a beautiful air of confidenee. "My horse bolted; but, though 1 had him in hand all the time, I thought it better to ride home, in case Ise should startle your mare. I hope he did "q"don't 'know," said Esther. "She was going very fast and I lost all eon- trol over her, and I suppose I should have come ofF; but Mr. Gordon hap- pened to be riding near, and he caught her and took charge of me.' This was gall and wormwood to Selby Layton; but he smiled sweetly and nodded quite pleasantly to Jack, "Tliat is very fortunate," he re- marked; "though the mare is so quiet that I don't suppose anything would have happened." Jack stood, with that impassive countenance which he could assume when it suited him, and did not con- tradict Mr. Layton. "I think we'll go back now, Net- tie," he said; but Nettie met the sug- gestion with Ot fib/WO negative. "I don't want to go back," she said, want to see the Peacocks on the tewace the pretty lady's been telling us aintut," ' Eether blushed alightly at this can- did tribute to her personal appear- ance, and, with a laugh said: "Dotter bring her on the terrace, Mr. Gordon; she won't be happy if you don't," "I'm afraid not," said Jack sev., crely, "Nettie's getting spellt.—But you wait, young lady , till you're quite clear of the tneaeles; you'll And you won't have your own way quite so much!" Nettie laughed incredulously, and hugged his neck a little tighter, "1 ain't afwnid," the said, They walked across the lawn to the terrace, and Nettie gave a little cry of delight as she saw the pea- cocks backing in the sun. "Put her down on one of the seats, Mr. Gordon," said Esther; "you must be tired with carrying her so far." "I am worn out," said Jack, with a mock groan. "What a storyl" exclaimed Nettie, indignantly. "He tarries me ever so much farvor than this every evening; don't you, Jack?" The ",Tack" sounded strangely to Esther, but very pleasantly, as it was uttered by the child's sweet and toying voice. "Now you can see the peacocks and the flowers," she said, "and I wonder whether you'd like a glass of milk and some cake?—I suppose the may have it?" to Jack, "011, yes," he said, cheefully; "she is eating all day like a little pig," At this moment Palmer came from the house in his stately fashion, and Presented a letter to Selby Layton, who was looking at the child with a sweet smile .that masked his disgust and.,antioyance at the whole bulginess. He took 'the letter, and with a mur- mured request for permission, open- ed it. For a moment, as he read it, the smile fled'from•his face, which grew pale, notwithstanding his heat. "It's of •no,,gonsequence," he said, casually; "but perhaps I'd better an- swer it by this post. I shall just have time." "Do, by all means," said Esther. "Will you please -send out some milk and cake, Palmer?" When Selby Layton had gone into the house, she seated herself by Net- tie, drawing the child towards her and carefully wrapping the shawl round her. Jack stood by them for a moment, then began to feel himself in the way. Walt a word with Giles, Miss Vaneogrti" isa said, go down to the stables, and sonde hack for Nettie presently," 'Very well," said Father, with a laugh. "I think you'd make 4 very pod nurse, Mr, Gordon," lack thought of the many weeka he had nursed his Chum, thia girl's brother, and smiled rather gravely, but said nothing. He went down to the stable artd founds eilps and his satellites gathered round the chetit- nut. -Giles had been expresing him- self with a freedom he had not per- mitted himself In Mr. Layton's. pre - s05100. "What's the matter with the ehest- mit, asked Jack. Giles touched WS cap, as he al- ways did Instinctively when he met Jack, and swore under his breath. ' , "There ain't nothing the matter with hint; but there soon will be if he's allowed to have his way like this" he said. "Any horse would 136 1)011t as was allowed to rampage round the country as he pleases, Next time he goes out he'll want to do the same thing, • It's a wonder tlae gentleman didn't break his neck, It ain't for me to snake remarks about my bet- ters, but I do call it cheek for e gent to get on a horse when he can't ride no more than a new-born baby. And I wasn't much better than a blessed infant to let him go; for I saw how it was when he got up. And where's the mare, I should like to know?" "The mare's at the farm alt right; you'd better send for . her," said Jack. "Put the saddle on the chest- nut again, will you?" Giles obeyed at once, though it ivas scarcely the thing for the fore- man of the home farm to give orders to Miss Vancourt's servants. But the saddle was put on and the stirrups adjusted to Jack's long legs, and he got on the chestnut. The horse had had a rare good time with its late rider, and it was under the impres- sion that it might have another with the present one; but it discovered its mistake itt less than a minute and a half. He reared and jumped in a fash- ion which would have sent Mr. Sel- by Layton flying, but only caused Jack's knees to press inwards with a force which nearly drove the breath out of the astonished animal. Jack toolc him out of the stable -yard and into the park, let luirtze, quietly for a while, then put him to his top speed, and kept him at it long after the chestnut had had enough. "You ought to be able to jump, my friend," he said; "let's see." He put the horse at the iron rail - Iing, and thought the animal retusedi twiee, 4acli got him over the third time; and he jumped him backwards and lorwarils until .the chastened chestunt was heartily Sick and 414 - gusted; then Jack rode hbrn back at a sweet and sober tnit. Giles and his merry men had watch- ed the performance with Wings of profeund satisfaction and admiration. "That's what I call riding," said Giles. "Neves' saw a better seat. And 110 rides like A gentlemen, too. (Oontinued Next Week.) BUSINESS CARDS TOE Industrial Mortgage and savings Oompany, of Sarnia 00500, Are prepared to advance money en Mortgages on good lauds. Fantail deatrihk InGnay 012131» mortgages will Pietist/111)07 to tr°11',4 ggA.wh° ou" t- Tilo industrial Mortgage and Savings Company Auswv 11641JOIXT AGENT FOR fire Automobile and Wind Ins. COMPANIES For Brussels; and vicinity Phone 647 JAMES NV FADZEAN Apt Hawick Mutual fire Insurance Company Also Hartford Windstorm and Tornado Insurance Phone 42 Box 1 Turoberry Street, Brussels JNO. SUTHERLAND & SONS LIMITED INSIZIMXCE CrIZAPJF OX2ralaf0 D. M. SCOTT ZOIVINKSED REPOTIOMAEN PRICES MODERATE For references consult any person whose sales I bevel officiated et, Phone 2826 T. T. MRAE M. 0. H., Village of Brussels, PhYsician, Burgeon, Acoonehear OfIloe at residence, opposite Melville Church, William street. DR, WARDLAW Honor graduate of the Ontario Veterinary Oollege. Day and night oalls. Office opposite Flour Hal, Maul. Fr. Ar. ef,fivazare BARRISTER, SOLICITOR, CONVEYANCER, NOTARY PUBLIC LECKIE BLOCK BRUSSELS 11111111kJ J • • • ilismomonk 11111111111111115M111111111191MIONIMPPERlikwaelft, From MTh,' to Toronto by Dominion Bxpress, A King of Beasts en route to the Toronto Zoo. 10101016MM • . 41: n./irs.'..„; • Morro Castle. guarding the entrance to Havana Harbor. •e seen from the deck of the C.P,S.S. "blontroYai." formerly the .Entorese of Britain," which next January and Fehrhary will make her seventh arid eighth cruises in the water. of the West ladles. 74' ink= • c, • • Showing what the up -to -dale girl la wear - Ing. A large lace picture hat In brown. Note the new style earrings - tak ... Canada,, w inter play ground. The over,greon ear of Victoria. B.C., and featuring totem nolo In Beacon Hal Pork. A slice from DORM Colum - hie. The ond of A stalely lir which, once rraced Van- couver Island. Shot with a camera near Ste. Jorite. Que, Tho Itt0005 calf mints its ran. ' •‘;.":.:,'-.3...".1‘..-!rat,1,. • *3555* et %Alma et 1110 roolordeld gar- dens., London, England. Our Joholo thaws the mother and child. The Prinerse Matehabelli 80 540 aPooAred 4. coldly In the Paterint of limthlon on Pita; Avenue, Now York. The costume of thla lodr from iho Italian Court, Is of Mash broadcloth is direetoire atrIe, WW1 It three tier cape: long fight shares «so sto.$1...ncr collar. With It tha Oblate* wears long ireustra ot Ban, 111111011111.