"There is decided spring in the air to-day,"said Mrs.Evringham."Iremember of old how charmingly spring comes in the park.""You have a good memory,"returned Mr.Evringham dryly.
"Why do you say that?"asked the pretty widow,lifting large,innocent eyes.
"It is some years since you accompanied Lawrence in his calls upon me,I believe.""Poor father!"thought Mrs.Evringham,"how unpleasantly blunt he has grown,living here alone!""I scarcely realize it,"she returned suavely."My recollection of the park is always so clear.It is surprising,isn't it,how relatives can live as near together as we in New York and you out here and see one another so seldom!Life in New York,"sighing,"was such a rush for us.Here amid the rustle of the trees it seems to be scarcely the same world.Lawrence often said his only lucid intervals were during the rides he took with Eloise in Central Park.Do you always ride alone,father?""Always,"was the prompt rejoinder,while Eloise cast a glance full of appeal at her mother.
The latter continued archly,"If you could see Eloise on a horse you would not blame me for trying to screw up my courage,as I have been doing for days past,to ask you if she might take a canter on Essex Maid in the morning,sometimes,while you are away.Fanshaw assured me that she would be perfectly safe."Mr.Evringham's cold eyes stared,and then the enormity of the proposition appeared to move him humorously.
"Which maid did Fanshaw say would be safe?"he inquired,while Eloise glowed with mortification.
"Well,if you think Eloise can't ride,try her some time!"exclaimed the widow gayly.It had been a matter of surprise and afterward of resentment that Mr.Evringham could remain deaf to her hints so long,and she had determined to become frank."Or else ask Dr.Ballard,"she went on;"he has very kindly provided Eloise with a horse several times,but the child likes a solitary ride,sometimes,as well as you do."The steely look returned to the host's eyes."No one rides the Maid but myself,"he returned coldly.