"I've no doubt of it," she said, with sudden bitterness, "and you'll
get over it bravely, very bravely;" and she started off toward the
barn, where Reuben was exercising Dapple, holding him with a long rope.
The horse seemed wild with life and spirit, and did I not know that the
beautiful creature had not a vicious trait I should have feared for the
boy. Just at this moment, Dapple in his play slipped off his headstall
and was soon careering around the dooryard in the mad glee of freedom.
In vain Reuben tried to catch him; for the capricious beast would allow
him to come almost within grasp, and then would bound away. Miss Warren
stood under a tree laughing till the boy was hot and angry. Then she
cried:
"I'll catch him for you, Reuben."
I uttered a loud shout of alarm as she darted out before the galloping
horse and threw up her arms.
Dapple stopped instantly; in another second she had her arm around his
arched neck and was stroking his quivering nostrils. Her poise was full
of grace and power; her eyes were shining with excitement and triumph,
and, to make her mastery seem more complete, she leaned her face
against his nose.
Dapple looked down at her in a sort of mild wonder, and was as meek as
a lamb.
"There, Reuben, come and take him," she said to the boy, who stared at
her with his mouth open.
"Emily Warren, I don't know what to make of thee," he exclaimed.
Never before had I so felt my unutterable loss, and I said to her
almost savagely, in a low tone, as she approached:
"Is that the means you take to cure me--doing the bravest thing I ever
saw a woman do, and looking like a goddess? I was an unspeakable fool
for staying."
Her head drooped, and she walked dejectedly toward the house, not
seeming to think of or care for the exclamations and expostulations
which greeted her.
"Why, Emily, were you mad?" cried Mr. Hearn above the rest; and now
that the careering horse was being led away he hastened down to meet
her.
"No, I'm tired, and want a cup of coffee," I heard her say, and then I
followed Reuben to the barn.
"She's cut me out with Dapple," said the boy, with a crestfallen air.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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