tly ardent mood, for his share--he gives me
a fine view of the country," said Mr. Linden, as the creature brought
himself to a tolerably erect position, and seemed to like it so well as
to be in no hurry to come down; and when he did, took the precaution to
take his hind feet off the ground before the fore feet touched. "Miss
Faith--how does this agree with your ideal of Melancholy?"

Faith forgot to answer, or thought answers impertinent.

"That horse frightens me out of my wits," said Miss Harrison. "I have
been jumping out of the saddle half the time, since I came out.
Sometimes he'll go very quietly--as nice as anybody--and then he'll
play such a caper as he did then. That was just because Julius came up
alongside of him. He had been going beautifully this last mile. I wish
he'd have nothing to do with such a creature!"

"I suppose he's very pleasant to ride," said Faith eying the creature.

Perhaps Stranger--with his full, wild eyes, took note of this look of
partial favour, for he backed a little from the doctor, and came
dancing round by Faith, and there danced along at her side for a few
minutes; evidently in an excited state of mind. His rider meanwhile,
gave Faith a quiet word of admonition about keeping so loose a rein,
and asked, in the same half undertone, if she felt tired?

"O no!" Faith said with a look of thanks and pleasure.

"That piece of care I must trust in your hands--don't forget that I
_do_ so trust it. How would you like to cross Quapaw creek on this
piece of quicksilver?"

"I don't think you'd like to have me!" Faith said very decidedly. "I
never saw anything so beautiful, quite, Mr. Linden--that I recollect at
this minute," she added smiling.

"I want to dance with you to-day--more than I ever did before," he
answered, smiling too. "Miss Faith, if you have not yet said the 'few
sensible words,' or if you have any left, won't you please say them to
me?"

"That question comes like a constable upon all my sense," said Faith
laughing, "and it feels as I suppose a man does when he is clapped on
the shoulder."

"But then the man cannot run away, you know."

"Nor my sense don't," said Faith,--"that I know of,--but it feels as if
it hadn't possession of itself, Mr. Linden."

"Well see if it is equal to this demand--What would be the consequences
if you and I were to start off and scour the country 'on our own hook,'
as people say?"

"I think 'our hook' would draw two people after us,"