Edith quenched her thirst, shook the cramp from her limbs, and
said: "Some time we will have to see where this road leads. There
may be more surprises beyond." She broke a flower from its stem
and fastened it in Kirk's buttonhole, while he gazed down at her
with friendly eyes.
"You're looking awfully well lately," he declared.
Glancing up, she met his gaze and held it for an instant. "It's
the open air and the exercise. I enjoy these rides with you more
than I can say." Something in her look gave him a little thrill of
embarrassment.
"I think I'll give Marquis and Gyp their dessert," he said, and,
turning aside, began to gather a handful of the greenest leaves.
The instant his eyes were off her, she took the horses by their
bridles, swung them about, and with a sharp blow of her riding-
crop sent them snorting and clattering down the trail. Kirk
wheeled barely in time to see them disappearing.
"Here!" he cried, sharply. "What are you doing?"
"They bolted."
"They'll hike straight for town. Now I'll have to chase--" He
glanced at her sharply. "Say, why did you do that?"
"Because I wanted to. Isn't that reason enough?" Her eyes were
reckless and her lips white.
"You shouldn't do a thing like that!" he cried, gruffly.
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