ugh the other way, now. And Arthur
Simpson, too. Maybe she'd even ride into Pieker's store!--that certainly
would surprise Arthur. True it was Tess he'd "dared," but of course he
had not dreamed SHE, Missy, would ever take it up. He considered her
unathletic--sort of ridiculous. Wouldn't it be great to "show" him? She
visioned the amazement, the admiration, the respect, which would shine
in his eyes as, insouciantly and yet with dash, she deftly manoeuvred
Gypsy's reins and cantered right into the store!

Afterwards she admitted that a sort of madness must have seized her;
yet, as she raced back toward the town, gently swaying in unison with
her mount, her pepper-and-salt legs pressing the pony's sides with
authority, she felt complacently, exultantly sane.

And still so when, blithe and debonair, she galloped up Main Street,
past piazzas she pleasurably sensed were not unpeopled nor unimpressed;
past the Court House whence a group of men were emerging and stopped
dead to stare; past the Post Office where a crowd awaiting the noon mail
swelled the usual bunch of loafers; on to Pieker's where, sure enough,
Arthur stood in the door!

"Holy cats!" he ejaculated. "Where in the world did--"

"Dare me to ride in the store?" demanded Missy, flicking the air with
her crop and speaking insouciantly. She was scarcely aware of the
excited sounds from the Post Office, for as yet her madness was upon
her.

"Oh, I don't think you could get her in!--You'd better not try!"

Missy exulted--he looked as if actually afraid she might attempt it!
As a matter of fact Arthur was afraid; he was afraid Missy Merriam had
suddenly gone out of her head. There was a queer look in her eyes--she
didn't look herself at all. He was afraid she might really do that crazy
stunt; and he was afraid the boss might return from lunch any second,
and catch her doing it and blame HIM! Yes, Arthur Simpson was afraid;
and Missy's blood sang at the spectacle of happy-go-lucky Arthur reduced
to manifest anxiety.

"CAN'T get her in?" she retorted derisively. "Just watch me!"

And, patting Gypsy's glossy neck, she headed her mount directly toward
the sidewalk and clattered straight into Pieker's store.

Arthur had barely time to jump out of the way. "Holy cats!" he again
invoked fervently. Then: "Head her out!--She's slobbering over that
bucket of candy!"

True enough; Gypsy's inquisitive nose had led her to a bewildering
profusion of the sweets she adored