70 IN THE RIDING- SCHOOL. 



ible through her habit, and her left all but out 

 of the stirrup, she was attractive no longer, and 

 to complete the master's disgust she ejaculated : 

 "My hair is coming down ! " 



"Better bring a nurse and a ladies' maid for 

 her," he muttered to Esmeralda, confidentially. 

 " Hairpins in your saddle pocket ? Well, you 

 are a sensible girl," and he rode forward with 

 the little packet, giving it to the lawyer to pass 

 to the unfortunate young woman. But here 

 arose a little difficulty. The space between the 

 lawyer's horse and the beauty's as they stood 

 was too wide to allow him to lay the parcel in 

 her outstretched fingers. The Texan, on her 

 right hand, had enough to do to keep her horse 

 and his own absolutely motionless that she 

 might not be thrown by any unexpected motion 

 of either animal. Versatilia exclaimed in re- 

 monstrance, " Don't leave me," when the caval- 

 ryman said, "Wait a second ; I'll come and give 

 them to her ;" the master sat quiet and smiling. 



"Why don't you dismount and give them to 

 her? " cried Theodore, and was out of his saddle, 

 had placed the parcel in her hand, and was back 

 in his place again before either of the other three 

 •men could speak. 



