“Isn't she going?” asked Jewel soberly.
“No, not this time. She doesn't care, she's been there so much. Just see
how cheerful and comfortable she looks!”
There was, indeed, a smile of almost cloying sweetness on Anna Belle's
countenance, and she seemed to be seeing pleasing visions.
“I never saw such a good child!” said Jewel with an admiring sigh; then
she put her hand in her grandfather's and they strolled out into the
park and up the shady road. Just before reaching the bend around which
lay the gorge, Mr. Evringham surprised his companion by breaking in upon
her lively chatter with a tune which he whistled loudly.
It was such an unusual ebullition that Jewel looked up at him. “Why,
grandpa, I never heard you whistle before,” she said.
“You didn't? That's because you never before saw me out on a lark. I
tell you, I'm a gay one when I get started,” and forthwith there burst
again from his lips a gay refrain, that sounded shrilly up the leafy
path. They rounded the bend in the road, and the broker looked down into
the eyes that were bent upon him in admiration.
“You whistle almost as well as Mr. Bonnell,” said the child.
“Give me time and I dare say I shall beat him out,” was the swaggering
response. “Ah, here's your ravine, is it?”
“Yes, that's”--began Jewel, and went no further.
A couple of rods from where she suddenly came to a standstill was an
object which for a moment rooted her to the spot. A small horse, black
as jet, with a white star in his forehead and a flowing, wavy mane and
tail, stood by the roadside. His coat, gleaming like satin, set off the
pure white leather of his trappings. On his back was fastened a side
saddle, and he was tethered to the rail of the light fence.
Mr. Evringham appeared not to see him. He was looking down the rocks and
grass of the steep incline.
“Is there any sort of a path?” he asked, “or do you descend it as you
would a cellar door? I think you might have told me, so I could change
these light trousers.”
“Grandpa!” exclaimed Jewel in a hushed tone, pointing before her. “See
that horse--just like the coal black steed the princess rides in a fairy
story.”
“Why, that's so. He is a beauty. Where do you suppose the princess is?”
“She's probably gone down the ravine,” returned the child, her feet
drawn forward as if by a magnet. “Let's not go down yet.”
The broker allowed himself to be led close to the pony, who turned his
full bright eyes upon the pair curiously.
“Do you think I might touch him, grandpa?” asked the child, still in the
hushed voice.
“If he's a fairy horse he might vanish,” returned Mr. Evringham. “Let's
see how he stands it.” So saying he gave the shining flank some sturdy
love pats. “Oh, he's all right. He's good substantial flesh and blood.”
“But the lady,” said Jewel, looking about, the pupils of her eyes
dilated with excitement.
“Oh, I don't think a very big lady has been riding in that saddle. You
can do as you'd be done by, I fancy.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account