''Those Who Ride Straight'' 



yes, I remember now, Mrs. Norman did, the 

 master's wife, we spoke of it afterward — but 

 Trotter never took his eyes off Alice the entire 

 time. And AHce knew it, too, for she didn't 

 open her Hps, and the color kept coming and 

 going in her cheeks. 



When we were near home, Mrs. Norman, a great 

 pal of Alice's, whispered in my ear. 



*' Alice's hit." 



*'What d'ye mean?" I frowned, knowing well 

 enough. Mrs. Norman snorted at my stupidity. 



"She's hit, I tell you. Now, her — our troubles 

 begin. She's held off pretty well so far. It had 

 to come, though, some day. " 



I was really annoyed. I was fond of Alice my- 

 self. 



"Nonsense, you women are always looking for 

 romance. " 



Mrs. Norman is a discerning woman. She 

 stopped fussing about being pretty, long ago, 

 though she still is, and wears her hair sleeked back 

 and rides hard. It's what her husband admires 

 most about her, and she knows it. 



She only nodded knowingly in reply. She was 

 right. 



Personally, I always thought Alice was one 

 of the handsomest women I ever saw, but now 

 she fairly seemed to blossom. 



153 



