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. I 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. "Oh, 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."

"So can I."

"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."

"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. "That's past," she said. "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."

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

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 p