se, and,
leisurely riding in a circuit, returned on the road that crossed the
farming country back of the tavern. Around him lay fields of rye and
buckwheat sweet with the odor of the bee-hive; Indian corn, whose
silken tassels waved as high as those of Frederick's grenadiers', and
yellow pumpkins nestling to the ground like gluttons that had partaken
too abundantly of mother earth's nourishment. Intermingling with these
great oblong and ovoid gourds, squashes, shaped like turbans and
many-cornered hats, appeared in fantastic profusion.

The rider was rapidly approaching the inn, when a sudden turn in the
highway, as the road swept around a wind-break of willows, brought him
upon a young woman who was walking slowly in the same direction. So
fast was the pace of his horse, and so unexpected the meeting, she was
almost under the trampling feet before he saw her. Taken by surprise,
she stood as if transfixed, when, with a quick, decisive effort, the
rider swerved his animal, and, of necessity, rode full tilt at the
fence and willows. She felt the rush of air; saw the powerful animal
lift itself, clear the rail-fence and crash through the bulwark of
branches. She gazed at the wind-break; a little to the right, or the
left, where the heavy boughs were thickly interlaced, and the rider's
expedient had proved serious for himself, but chance--he had no time
for choice--had directed him to a vulnerable point of leaves and
twigs. Before she had fairly recovered herself he reappeared at an
opening on the other side of the willow-screen, and, after removing a
number of rails, led his horse back to the road.

With quivering nostrils, the animal appeared possessed of unquenchable
spirit, but his master's bearing was less assured as he approached,
with an expression of mingled anxiety and concern on his face, the
young girl whom the manager had addressed as Constance.

"I beg your pardon for having alarmed you!" he said. "It was careless,
inexcusable!"

"It was a little startling," she admitted, with a faint smile.

"Only a little!" he broke in gravely. "If I had not seen you just when
I did--"

"You would not have turned your horse--at such a risk to yourself!"
she added.

"Risk to myself! From what?" A whimsical light encroached on the set
look in his blue eyes. "Jumping a rail fence? But you have not yet
said you have pardoned me?"

The smile brightened. "Oh, I think you deserve that."

"I am not so sure," he returned,