"I might not be able to stick on."
"We'll try it," he responded, encouragingly, "over the next level stretch."
So try it they did. They flew like the wind. The cool evening air, the excitement of the race, the rich afterglow in the heavens,—all were exhilarating. On they sped, on and on, till they turned into the canyon road. Again Esther's horse led, but Kenneth soon overtook her, and then their horses walked slowly on together the rest of the way.
"I wonder if you are as happy as I am," he said, as he assisted her from the saddle.
"I am in the positive degree of happiness," she said, cheerily. "I am always happy except when shadowed by someone else's sorrow."
He said something to her about bearing all her future sorrows for her, adding:
"That is becoming the dearest wish of my heart."
"All must meet sorrow sometime," she responded gravely. "I hope to meet mine with fortitude when it comes."
She stood stroking the horse's neck.
"I wish I might help you to bear it when it comes. Oh, Miss Bright," he said, earnestly, "I wish I could make you realize how I honor you—and dare I say it?—how I love you! I wish you would try to understand me. I am not trifling. I am in earnest." He looked at her downcast face.