Robert Kimberly

But when she had received all the enthusiasmand compliments she went home tired. MacBirneycame to her room to talk, but he had no wordfor the successful decorations and Alice pleadingfatigue went directly to bed.

She woke with the sun streaming through theeast windows. It was late and though still tiredshe rose at once. The morning was superb, and, while dressing, Alice surprised Annie by singingto herself.

Fritzie drove over with her to Black Rock. Alicerunning in to speak to Dolly found her in bed.Dolly kissed her. "You look so fresh, dear." Alicedrew herself up with a laugh. "It's themorning, Dolly."

"By-the-way, Robert is here. He came lateand he and Arthur talked so long he stayed allnight. He is just across the hall in the blue room."

"Then every one is accounted for. I must beoff, Dolly."

"Where are you going?"

"To the woods with Fritzie to get the blossoms."

An old coaching brake had been sent up fromthe stables and Arthur De Castro was waiting forthe two women. "I am going to drive you downthe field before I take my ride," he explained.

"You do need exercise. You look sleepy,Arthur," remarked Fritzie, critically.

"Robert kept me up all night." Arthur turnedto Alice. "You knew he was back?"

"Dolly told me."

"The lazy fellow isn't up yet," said Fritzie.

Arthur corrected her. "He is up and gonehome. But he will be over again this morning."

The horses were fresh and took Arthur's attentionacross the field and the big wagon lurched asthe team danced along. In the woods they foundGrace De Castro with the men who were to work.Arthur's saddle-horse was in waiting. The menbegan loading the brake with elder blossoms, brierroses, and branches from the forest trees. Arthurhad meant to take his groom with him, but foundthere would be nobody to drive the brake back tothe barn.

"No matter, Mr. De Castro," said Alice. "Takehim. I will drive back." Arthur demurred, butAlice insisted. "I would rather drive the teamthan not. I drive our horses all the time."

Arthur and the groom rode away. Fritzieand Grace looked at Alice in astonishment whenthe wagon had been loaded and Alice took thedriver's high seat, pulled her glove gauntlets backtaut and a gardener handed her the reins.

"Aren't you afraid?" cried Grace.

"Not in the least," Alice answered, slipping herhands into the driving loops and putting her footon the wheel-brake.

"Really," declared Grace, "you have quite an air."

Fritzie was apprehensive. "For Heaven's sake, don't let them run away, Allie."

The men at the bridles stood aside, Alice spokeand the team leaped swiftly ahead. She gavethem leeway for a few moments, but kept themunder control and her manner was so confident thatFritzie's fears were allayed before the brake hadcrossed the first hill. As Alice made the turn inthe road and looked laughingly back the two girlswaved approval at her. They saw the brim of herbroad hat rising and falling like a bird's wings asshe nodded to them; then she threw on thewheel-brake and started down the hill.

For a moment the difficulty of holding the pairin check increased and by the time the barn wasin sight the struggle had stirred her blood. Itcolored two little circles in her cheeks and hadlighted fires of animation in her gray eyes. Shesaw the rising entrance to the barn and only tookheed that the doors were wide open. Then shegave all her strength to guiding the rushing horsesup the long incline. Just as their heads shotunder the doorway the off horse shied. The frontwheels of the brake bounced over the thresholdand Alice saw, standing within, Robert Kimberly.

She gave an exclamation of surprise as shethrew on the wheel-brake, pulled with all herstrength on the reins and brought her horses to ahalt. Kimberly with one hand on the casementstood perfectly still until she looked around. Thenhe came forward laughing. "You certainly are acapital whip."

"You frightened me nearly to death!" exclaimedAlice with a long breath. "Where, pray, did youcome from?" she demanded, looking down fromher eminence.

"From almost everywhere. And you?"

"From the woods."

He laid a hand on the foot-board. "Really, Iwonder whether there is anything you can't do."

"I am afraid there is one thing now. I don'tsee how I am going to get down. Aren't thereany men around to take the horses?"

"The horses will stand. Just hook your linesand jump from the wheel."

Alice looked at the distance in dismay. "Thatis easy to say."

"Not hard to do," returned Kimberly. "I'llbreak your flight."

"I'm a wretched jumper."

"Nonsense. You can't tell me you're a wretchedanything after that drive."

"Step away then and I'll jump. Only, I don'tsee just how I am going to stop after I start."

"What do you want to stop for? Come ahead."

She put her foot cautiously on the wheel; it wasa very pretty foot. Then she steadied herself andwith her hand swept little ringlets of hair fromher eyes.

She knew he was waiting to receive her and, meaning to elude him, turned at the last instantand jumped away from where he stood. Kimberly,in spite of her precaution, caught her as herfeet struck the floor, and leaned an instant overher. "Beautifully done!" he exclaimed, anddrawing her suddenly into his arms he kissed her.

She pushed him back with all her strength.He met her consternation with good humor. "Icouldn't help it."

Alice, burning with angry blushes, retreated.He hoped it would end there and ignored theoutraged spirit in her eyes as she took herhandkerchief from her waist.

He tried to laugh again. "Don't be angry." ButAlice put both hands to her face and walkedquickly away.

CHAPTER XXII

Kimberly followed her through the opendoor. "Where are you going?" he asked.Her answer came in her quickened step. Herepeated his words without eliciting any response.Then he stepped directly in front of her in thepath. "Stop for one moment. Alice, you can'tgo any farther while you are as angry at me asyou are now."

"I am Alice to no one but my husband," sheexclaimed controlling herself as well as she could."You shall not stop me, you have no right to."

"Where are you going?"

"I am going home."

"Listen; you are Alice to me-now, and forever; remember that."

Her knees trembled as she strove to escape him.She tried to pass through the shrubbery and couldnot. She felt faint and dizzy. The very worldhad changed with a kiss. Everything in lifeseemed upset, every safeguard gone.

He took her arm. "Come back to the path,Alice. We must walk it together."

She paused an instant for breath and made aneffort to speak as she put his hand angrily away."I insist," she cried, "that you do not continueto insult me."

"If you wait for me to insult you, Alice, youwill wait a long time. I should be as likely toinsult my own mother."