CHAPTER XVI.

THE SOMETHING WHICH HAPPENED.

To solace her daughter for her chagrin in being outclassed by Jessica, Mrs. Rhinelander gave her a new horse; as handsome a creature as could be found and “warranted kind and true.”

All the other girls envied Helen her “Beauty,” except the “Little Captain,” now rapidly developing into an excellent scholar, and with her love of learning increasing all the time. She was ambitious to be that “star”--at the top not bottom of the school--and all the energy of her ardent nature was put into this work. The result of this was that, despite all prescribed rules for exercise and recreation, Jessica grew thin and somewhat careworn.

Ephraim was swift to observe this and to devise some plan for remedying it. He could think of nothing better than to send home to the “boys” for the “finest four-footed creatur’ in all Paraiso d’Oro.” So he wrote, as follows:--“The head girl to our ‘Lady’s’ school has been give as purty a brute as ever I laid eyes on, and ‘Little Captain’s’ has got to beat it. Now, Samson and John Benton, you put your heads together and finish up the job and express the creatur’ ’long, double quick. Our girl isn’t going to be down-sot, in the matter of horse-flesh, by any trumpery New Yorker, and you see to it. There’s horses here, course, and good ones; but no beast that hasn’t breathed the superfine air of Californy is fit for our ‘Lady.’ Mum’s the word till I get your telegrapht that ‘Sobrante’ has arrived, and then I’ll put in my full share of the bill. I’m getting a new ‘livery’ made, same as Madam Dalrymple had me wear and ’t made me feel such a fool, first time. But if I’m to be ‘groom’ to anybody, at my time of life, and it’ll make things a mite nicer for my girl, I’ll wear it, smiling.

“I’ve hung around that riding-school where they’re tryin’ to teach Jessie what she’s known always, and I’ve made friends with the work folks. More’n that, ‘Little Lady’ has pointed me out to the master as her teacher at Sobrante, and he spoke to me as slick as molasses. Said I’d a pupil to be proud of and I ’lowed I had. Then, ’cause she was so pleased to have me ’round, he up and asked me to ride with his classes in the Park, whenever I had a mind. And don’t you doubt but that’ll be every time they go out, soon’s I learn what days it will be. And I cast an observin’ eye on the outfit of his ‘assistants’ and I’m getting my own to match. I cal’late the next thing he’ll be doing will be to ask me to help ‘assist,’ and that’ll be something worth while. ’Twon’t be on account of wages, neither, but just for the honor of Californy, to show him how an eighty-year-old can sit a horse, rheumatiz or nothing.

“So, don’t let no grass grow under that horse’s hoofs till he’s shipped direct; and take it to your hearts that you’ll be doing the square thing by the girl we all love if you ’tend to this here business with neatness and despatch.

“Yours, till death and his exile ends, “EPHRAIM MARSH.”

It was but a little more than two weeks later that, on a certain Thursday, “between four and six,” Jessica had a visitor.

The liveried colored man who admitted the stranger had doubts as to whether he should have done so, since the caller also wore a livery, though one not adorned by brass buttons.

However, Ephraim marched boldly in and selecting a chair which commanded the entrance sat down to wait with what patience he could till Miss Trent should appear. Other visitors were there, in the great room, and other pupils; all casting rather amused glances toward “Forty-niner” and wondering how such a social blunder had been permitted as his admission into those exclusive precincts. Possibly, the old man might have been abashed, had he observed these glances, but he did not. He saw nothing, heard nothing, till a beloved footstep sounded swiftly through the hall, and at a pace less decorous than Madame liked, Jessica came bounding into the room.

“O, you darling Ephraim! you did come at last, didn’t you! How dear of you! And you see it isn’t bad. Now you’ll come every Thursday won’t you? But--but, Ephy! How funny you look! Why have you got such a queer, brown suit? Riding boots, leggings,--you’re exactly like one of the grooms at the academy. What notion possessed you? But never mind. I’m so glad, so glad to have you; and I would be even in your old overalls from the gardening last summer.”

Jessica sat down close to her faithful friend but she couldn’t repress her amusement, the frontiersman was so uncomfortable in his new attire, yet so full of suppressed excitement. With another smile she demanded:

“Do explain, Ephy. If you wanted new clothes why didn’t you get Mr. Hale, or somebody who knows what’s correct, to advise you? Even I----”

“Hold on, ‘Captain.’ Come over to that window, yonder!”

With his hat in his hand, he led the way across the room and pointing outward, demanded:

“Do you see that there bay horse, that boy is leading up and down? ‘All saddled and bridled and fit for a Prince’?”

“Of course I see him. What a perfectly beautiful animal! See him, now! What knee action! What a neck! What shapely legs! Whoever owns that creature knows the ‘points’ of a fine horse. Is it somebody’s you know?”

“I ’low it is. I ’low she does--know points. She’d ought to, being as she was raised on ’em, so to speak; and if you hadn’t re_cog_nized them I’d have been plumb disappointed. For the creatur’s _yours_! Arrived last night, overland, straight from the ‘boys’ at Sobrante, named ‘Sobrante’ himself, and waiting this minute for his new owner and mistress to try his paces with me as ‘attendant.’ That’s why this pesky livery. That’s why I’ve come. That’s why you go ask your Madame, to once, if you can’t go for a canter in the Park if I’ll wager my own neck I’ll fetch you home safe, any time she names!”

Jessica’s cry of delight was almost a scream. So “unladylike,” in fact, that a caller near by elevated her eyebrows and remarked:

“What astonishing things! That groom, that ill-bred girl, I am surprised at Madame.”

“Oh! that’s nothing. She’s our wild westerner, you know. One may expect any sort of behavior from her,” replied the young lady addressed, a “Con” of the most decided sort, and an admiring follower of the handsome Helen.

However, Jessica had become inured to this kind of remark, which she happened to overhear, and though it didn’t add to her pleasure it did not greatly detract from it. Indeed, her heart was beating so high at thought of her dear “boys’” remembrance of her that she could scarcely keep her feet from dancing; but she tried to remember Madame Mearsom’s expressed desires, and with a low: “Come this way!” to Ephraim, she led him out of the reception room to a smaller one at the end of the hall, where tradesmen sometimes waited an interview with the mistress of the house.

“This is quieter, Ephy, and we’re quite by ourselves. Wait just a minute. Madame is going out this afternoon but I’ll run and ask that permission. If she’ll only give it! How happy, how happy we will be!”

Already there was a glow upon the cheeks that had been paler than of old and “Forty-niner” felt he had acted wisely and well. Also, because of Jessica’s good record in her work and the eagerness in her face, Madame was graciously pleased to give the coveted permission and to add her congratulations on the fine gift.

“Two hours, only, from the time of leaving till you are back at the door, remember, my dear. And I hope, I certainly hope, you will have a most delightful ride.”

From the windows of the reception room some watched the “Westerner” ride away and wondered at the ease with which she mounted and assumed control of an untried mount, one that was as restless and inexperienced in city surroundings as this beautiful creature from the plains.

“O Ephy! I feel almost, almost as if we were at home again, starting for a long, long ride--to Dr. Kimball’s, or some other far-away neighbors. If I didn’t have to wear this tight skirt I’d feel exactly like. Oh! how well he suits me! His back is perfect. They couldn’t have chosen better--You dear Sobrante! I’d like to hug you, and I will!”

Suiting the action to the word Jessica leaned forward and clasped the horse’s beautiful, arched neck, sending a thrill of pleasure through his equine heart. But another sort of thrill instantly followed. An automobile whizzed honking by and Sobrante promptly stood upon his hind feet.

Spectators along the avenue halted in fear. The girlish rider would certainly be thrown! Only she nor Ephraim showed no alarm. He merely checked the hired animal he bestrode and which he had taken care should be the best in its owner’s stable, and watched. He was ready to clasp Sobrante’s bridle, should that be necessary, and to use his man’s strength to bring the animal to subjection. However, this was not required.

Jessica’s own fearlessness inspired her sensitive mount with confidence. Her whispered soothing words penetrated his consciousness and his affectionate nature responded to her love.

“Nothing but an ‘auty,’ Sobrante dear! Foolish things, they are not to be compared with such as you, my beauty; but plenty as can be. You’ll get used to them, directly. They can’t hurt you. Nothing shall hurt you, precious! Just hold your head high and proud, and disdain to look at them, you splendid fellow. Once we are in the Park, we’ll get to the quietest place and--Go! That is, we’ll pretend to go--but it won’t be as we could at home. Steady, there, pet. Here comes another ‘goose’ on four wheels!”

Sobrante curveted and pranced, bowed his beautiful head, tossed it up and down, showed every symptom of that “disdain” she requested but--did _not_ rise upon his hind legs. After that, with each succeeding moment, nearly, one of the offending, snorting monsters passed them by or met them face to face; and by the time they had entered the Park gates he had become familiar with at least one phase of the city streets.

Both Ephraim and Jessica were delighted with him.

“He’s just as intelligent--as he looks! Some horses aren’t, you know. And as handsome as he is wise. Oh! He’s just perfect. He’s far and away finer than that new ‘Beauty’ of Helen Rhinelander’s. ‘Beauty’ is true to his name, course, but I don’t like his eye. He shows the white of it too much; and though he pretends he doesn’t mind autos, isn’t a bit afraid of them, he is. Down in his heart he is. I’ve watched him while we were out here in the Park. I think the master doesn’t wholly trust that horse, either; else he wouldn’t ride so close to Helen and leave one of his assistants to attend the beginners who need most care.

“Just to think, Ephy dear! I shan’t have to ride a hired horse again! And I can hardly wait for to-morrow and our regular lesson. All the ‘Pros’ will be delighted with Sobrante; and I’d be glad to share him with them, if I were allowed.”

“Don’t do that, ‘Captain,’ not yet. You’ve got to let him learn you, first, so he would mind your voice even with somebody else in his saddle. And I’ll be on hand. My shucks! But it will seem like old times for us to be riding together just as we used! Get up there, you slow poke! I’ve a mind to send home again for a creatur’ of my own! Then I’d be fixed!”

Jessica said nothing to this; but all at once she appeared anxious for their return. So they wheeled about and arrived at the ‘Adelphi’ in such good time that Madame was greatly pleased and promised another outing for these two alone.

But Jessica’s haste was not so much due to her obedience as to a notion that had entered her head when Ephraim spoke. If one horse could be shipped safely from Sobrante, why not two? So she spent the remainder of that recreation afternoon in writing to her mother and asking for “Forty-niner” a similar gift to her own. Also, in due time the letter was answered by the arrival of another steed. Not quite so fine as Sobrante but far finer than any the sharpshooter could hire at the ordinary livery-stable; and when received his own delight was as great as Jessica’s had been. He had been sorely perplexed between his longing for the animal and his sense of right. He hated debt, as had all his old employer’s household. He must save to pay expenses during his life in New York, while his little lady was achieving that education she desired, and for his trip home again when that education was accomplished. He would not receive a gift of money from Mrs. Trent, and Jessica’s “allowance” was most modest--also, generally used up to the last cent from quarter to quarter. But a gift of a horse--that was quite another matter; and it added to the old man’s health as well as his pleasure.

But long before that letter was far on its way the hour had arrived for the riding class to take their trip to the Park. It was the custom on such occasions for the horses to be brought to the Adelphi and the young ladies to start from there, with the attendant master and his assistant teachers. This time when they assembled, Helen Rhinelander first saw Sobrante, and Ephraim was gratified by the envious look she cast on the animal and on its graceful rider.

Reining her own “Beauty” up to Jessica’s side, she inquired:

“Is that your own horse, Miss Trent?”

“Yes, indeed! Isn’t he a dear? The ‘boys’ sent him,” returned Sobrante’s mistress, pleased to be noticed even thus much by the haughty senior.

“Hmm. He is--quite handsome. But, if he’s been reared in the--the wilds, you’ll have trouble with him. You should be careful.”

“Yes, of course. But there’ll be no trouble. I’ve had him out once already and though he didn’t like the automobiles, at first, he got so he despised them after a little while. He thinks elevated trains are dreadful but--he’s as obedient as a horse can be. He knows me already.”

“How absurd! That would be according him human intelligence, which no four-footed beast possesses. Don’t be too confident.”

Now there was nothing that would sooner arouse Jessica’s quick temper than disparagement of horses; and she flashed back:

“Indeed, some horses do possess it--or its equivalent. Why, I could tell you things about Sobrante animals that would amaze you, if you didn’t know they were true.”

“And because you told them I suppose I _should_ know that!” retorted Helen sarcastically. “I’ve often heard of ‘California stories’ and I’m not anxious for them. Only, take care. I’ve ridden for several years and I know horses are not to be trusted till after you’ve used them a long time. Even Beauty, here, is restless and I have to watch him all the time. He is intelligent, if you please, extraordinarily so, but he hasn’t yet learned to ‘despise’ an auto, after all these weeks.”

“Yes, he is intelligent--to a degree. Not like Sobrante, though; and if you’ve ridden for years I’ve ridden all my life. It is you who need warning. That Beauty is in a vicious mood, to-day. There is evil in his eye. Yes, I am ready!”

With this response to the master’s question: “Ready, young ladies?” Jessica fell into line, Ephraim beside her, the proudest man in the whole cavalcade, even though mounted on a beast the “boys” would have laughed at. But, as he had once ridden “Stiffleg” from love of that beast he now bestrode this hired hack from affection for his “Little Captain,” who was growing so fast she was outstripping that adjective “Little.”

The master himself took his place beside Helen Rhinelander, and to that young horsewoman this was both pleasing and displeasing. It was flattering to be singled out as the only one of the class worthy such attention; yet, on the other hand, it suggested to onlookers that it was a case of precaution.

Beauty was certainly in an ugly mood. He fretted at the touch of her hand on the bridle, he acted as if he would like to take the bit in his teeth, and bolt; and to three of the party, at least, the arrival at the quieter Park was vast relief. These three were the master, the sharpshooter, and Jessica Trent. To these three a fine horse meant something higher than a servant or a beast of burden; he was a creature of keen perceptions and strong emotions.

That morning, Beauty had been roughly groomed. This was unusual and painfully trying to his sensitive skin and temper. Then his saddle had been found defective in some slight way and another which did not fit had been substituted. Other stable happenings had been unfortunate, and Beauty took the road far from fit to be trusted with so valuable a burden as Helen Rhinelander.

However, for a time, after entering the Park, he seemed to forget his worries, as his young mistress presently forgot hers. To those who love it, there is nothing more exhilarating than a swift canter on a fresh spring morning, such as this; and the spirits of the whole party rose to the highest.

Suddenly from a side road, at a wild rate of speed, rushed a runaway automobile, tenantless, chauffeurless, tearing its own unguided way into the very midst of the horseback cavalcade.

“Ware! Ware!” warned the master, shrieked the grooms; while Ephraim would have planted himself directly in the path of the oncoming monster had not Jessica reached forward, seized his horse’s bridle and jerked him aside.

“Ephy! you can’t stop it! Look out, look out! O Helen!”

Beauty, like Ephraim, had planted himself in the way. For an instant he stood stock still, while the glaring red machine rushed toward his very front. The next he had reared and plunged and Helen was almost unseated.

What happened after that there were some who could not see, for they had closed their eyes against an inevitable tragedy.

But Jessica saw, comprehended, acted. With one toss of her own bridle into Ephraim’s outstretched hand she was on the ground, had caught that of the frenzied Beauty and swerved him out of the road, Helen still clinging frightened but unharmed to her saddle. The next instant the automobile had dashed onward out of sight, but a girl in a blue habit lay huddled on the ground, a torn and bruised object from which they turned away their eyes, not daring to look upon her fair, brave face--so ghastly white and quiet now.