the happy flush and smile had not left her face. She felt that she had at last scored one point. that she could have more time!

Oh,

'Jupiter!" muttered Graydon, as he descended the stairs, her talk makes a fellow's blood tingle." Miss Wildmere had just entered with Arnault, and Graydon asked, " Are you not going to give me one dance this evening?"

"Yes, two, if you wish," she replied, sweetly.

He took her at her word, and was as devoted as ever. He had no thought of being anything else. Arnault secured the last word, however, and Graydon made no effort to prevent this. He had accepted the disagreeable situation, and proposed, although with increasing reluctance and discontent, to let the girl have a clear field and manage the affair as she thought wise under the circumstances. He was too proud to have maintained a jostling and open pursuit with Arnault in any event, and now, believing that he understood the lady better, felt that there was no occasion for it. He had indicated to her just where he stood, and just where she could ever find him. When her diplomacy with Arnault should cease to be essential to her father's safety, the final words could be spoken.

He acted on this policy so quietly that she was somewhat troubled, and feared that Madge might be taking too large a place in his thoughts. Therefore, when Arnault ventured to make a somewhat humorous reference to the young girl's appearance, her spite found utterance. "I never saw such a looking creature in my life.

She had the appear

ance of a crazy woman, with her hair dishevelled, and her wet, muddy clothes sticking to her as if glued. She ought at least to have slipped away when the doctor came. But instead of that she fainted, -- all put on, I believe, to attract attention."

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She perhaps felt that she must put on something," chuckled Arnault. The two Muirs looked as if she were too precious and sacred for mortal gaze.

"Well," concluded Miss Wildmere, "I like to see a lady who never forgets herself ;" and she was an example of the type.

"I like to see one lady, whom, having seen, no ⚫one can forget," was his gallant reply.

M

CHAPTER XIX.

AN OBJECT FOR SYMPATHY.

ISS WILDMERE'S indignant virtue was not soothed on the following morning, when, as she returned from a drive with Arnault, Graydon galloped up on a superb bay horse, and Madge so far forgot herself again as to rush to meet him with unaffected pleasure. The champion of propriety paused in the distance to take an observation, for she thought she saw a cloud in the sky.

"What a beauty! what a grand arch of the neck he has! Oh, I'm just wild to be on him! Don't bribe me with horses, Graydon; I can resist anything else."

"I am glad of the information.

A volume of

thanks would not be worth half so much."

"I thought the thanks were in my tone and manner."

'So I thought, and am more than content; but, Madge, I am troubled about your riding him. fear he is a very Satan of a horse."

"Nonsense! Wait till you see me mounted, and your fears will vanish. People don't walk at Santa Barbara; they ride; every one rides. If the horse don't tumble, there'll be no tumbling on my

part. Oh, he is such a splendid fellow! What shall I call him ?''

Better call him 'Go.' There is more go in him than in any horse I ever bestrode."

"All the better. I shall give him another name, however. It will come to me sometime ;" and she patted the proud neck, and fondled the tossing head, in a way to excite the envy of observers from the piazza. "O Graydon, what shall I do for a saddle? Do you think there is one to be had in this region? I'm impatient for a gallop.”

"I telegraphed, early this morning, for equipments; and they should be here this afternoon." That was considerate kindness itself. You must let me pay for all this. You know I can."

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But there's reason in all things.'

Therefore, a little in me. Please, Madge, don't make me feel that I am almost a stranger to you. If we had remained together, I should have paid out more than this for candy, flowers, and nonsense. I have yielded everything, haven't I? and, as Mary says, I do wish to feel a little like one of the family."

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"Well, then," she said, laughing and blushing, as from one of the family-"

And from your deceased brother," he interrupted.

She put her finger to her lips. she said.

"That's past,

No more allusions. We began sensibly last night, and I certainly am very lenient now in taking gifts that I should protest against even

from Henry.

I wish to prove to you that I am the

Madge of old times as far as I can be.”

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Rest assured I'm the same fellow, and ever shall be."

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He had dismounted, and they were walking slowly toward the stable. 'Bless me!" cried Madge, where am I going with no better protection than a sunshade? I'm always a little off when a horse like that is at hand. I say, Graydon," she added, in a wheedling tone, "mount and put him through his paces. I can't resist the fun, no matter what the dowagers say."

He vaulted lightly into the saddle, and the horse reared and dashed toward the stable, but was soon pulled up. Then Graydon made him prance, curvet, and trot, Madge looking on with parted lips, and eyes glowing with delicious anticipation. If a close observer had been present he might have seen that the rider, with his fine easy grace and mastery, was, after all, the chief attraction.

She walked back to the house, thinking, "I'll have some bright hours before the skies grow gray. O kindly fate! prosper Mr. Arnault here and in Wall Street, too, for all I care.'

"O Mr. Muir, teach me to ride," said Miss Wildmere, when he joined her in the deserted parlor. "You have such a superb horse! and you sat on him as if you were a part of him."

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"I will teach you with pleasure," said Graydon. Nothing would give me more enjoyment, for I am very fond of riding, and we could explore the mountain roads far and near."