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blossoms. Yet he hoped to see her again; for each one fancies that his romance has its own tutelary guardian and divinity. Luckily for Remsens peace of mind there came a diversion in the guise of a reunion of the Gentle Riders of the city. There were not many of them;perhaps a scoreand there was wassail, and things to eat, and speeches and the Spaniard was bearded again in recapitulation. And when day-light threatened them the survivors prepared to depart. But some remained upon the battlefield. One of these was Trooper ORoon, who was not seasoned to potent liquids. His legs declined to fulfil the obligations they had sworn to the police department. Im stewed, Remsen, said ORoon to his friend. Why do they build hotels that go round and round like catherine wheels? Theyll take away my shield and break me. I can think and talk con-con-consec- sec-secutively, but I s-s-s-stammer with my feet. Ive got to go on duty in three hours. The jig is up, Remsen. The jig is up, I tell you. Look at me, said Remsen, who was his smiling self, pointing to his own face; whom do you see here? Goo fellow, said ORoon dizzily. Goo old Remsen. Not so, said Remsen. You see Mounted Policeman ORoon. Look at your faceno; you cant do that without a glassbut look at mine, and think of yours. How much alike are we? As two French table dhôte dinners. With your badge, on your horse, in your uniform, will I charm nursemaids and prevent the grass from growing under peoples feet in the Park this day. I will save your badge and your honour, besides having the jolliest lark Ive been blessed with since we licked Spain. Promptly on time the counterfeit presentment of Mounted Policeman ORoon single-footed into the Park on his chestnut steed. In a uniform two men who are unlike will look like; two who somewhat resemble each other in feature and figure will appear as twin brothers. So Remsen trotted down the bridle-paths, enjoying himself hugely, so few real pleasures do ten-millionaires have. Along the driveway in the early morning spun a victoria drawn by a pair of fiery bays. There was something foreign about the affair, for the Park is rarely used in the morning except by unimportant people who love to be healthy, poor and wise. In the vehicle sat an old gentleman with snowy side-whiskers and Scotch plaid cap which could not be worth while driving except by a personage. At his side sat the lady of Remsens heartthe lady who looked like pomegranate blossoms and the gibbous moon. Remsen met them coming. At the instant of their passing her eyes looked into his, and but for the ever- coward heart of a true lover he could have sworn that she flushed a faint pink. He trotted on for twenty yards, and then wheeled his horse at the sound of runaway hoofs. The bays had bolted. Remsen sent his chestnut after the victoria like a shot. There was work cut out for the impersonator of Policeman ORoon. The chestnut ranged alongside the off bay thirty seconds after the chase began, rolled his eye back at Remsen, and said in the only manner open to policemens horses: Well, you duffer, are you going to do your share? Youre not ORoon, but it seems to me if youd lean to the right you could reach the reins of the foolish, slow-running bayah! youre all right; ORoon couldnt have done it more neatly! The runaway team was tugged to an inglorious halt by Remsens tough muscles. The driver released his hands from the wrapped reins, jumped from his seat and stood at the heads of the team. The chestnut, approving his new rider, danced and pranced, reviling equinely the subdued bays. Remsen, lingering, was dimly conscious of a vague, impossible, unnecessary old gentleman in a Scotch cap who talked incessantly about something. And he was acutely conscious of a pair of violet eyes that would have drawn Saint Pyrites from his iron pillaror whatever the illusion isand of the ladys smile and looka little frightened, but a look that, with the ever-coward heart of a true lover, he could not yet construe. |
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