Sister Carmen | Page 5

He stepped forward to meet the
approaching figures, and with a polite greeting begged for information.
The young girl dropped a modest courtesy to the stranger, and with
downcast eyes listened to his inquiries about the way to the Sisters'
house. Then she turned to the lady, who had in the mean time drawn
near, and said courteously: "I am just going hither; may I conduct
you?"
"You would oblige us exceedingly," replied the lady, kindly.
"What a lovely Sister! It wouldn't be such a bad thing to be a Brother
here," whispered Alexander to his mother. He did not speak too low for
the sensitive ear of the girl to catch his words, for she blushed deeply,
and the rosy little mouth curled proudly and defiantly. Visibly offended,
she turned away from the gentleman, and simply saying "Come" to the
lady, walked on ahead, leading the little child by the hand, and giving
no apparent heed to the party behind.
Retracing their steps for a short distance, they turned into a side street,
and here--wonder of wonders!--were some more people. A horse stood,
saddled and bridled, before the door of one of the houses, and a man
was just in the act of mounting. He did not seem to be a particularly
expert horseman, or his steed the most patient of animals; for the
former displayed his awkwardness in attempting to mount, and the
latter, as soon as he became aware of his master's intention, kicked, and
sprang aside. The man sought to quiet him, patted his neck, and once
more tried the difficult task of getting on his back; but the sight of the
approaching strangers now added to his clumsiness, and rendered him
even more helpless than before. He had scarcely put his foot in the
stirrup, when the animal pranced, kicked and reared, jerking the reins
from his owner's hands, and throwing him down on the pavement; after
which he started at full speed down the street, directly towards the
advancing party. As soon as the horse showed a disposition to be

restive, the girl had led the child close up against the side of the house,
and looking back at the strangers following her, she observed an
expression of contempt on the young man's face, as he watched the
awkward movements of the Brother; being himself a skilful rider and
able, with his supple yet powerful frame, to master even the wildest
horse.
When the man fell to the ground, and the unrestrained animal came
rapidly onward, the strangers also moved hastily aside. But the little
child had, in its fright, broken loose from the girl's hand, and ran into
the middle of the street to pick up a ball which had rolled from its hand.
A cry of horror broke from every lip, and in another moment the child
would have been dashed under the horse's hoofs as she stooped to pick
up the toy. But before the girl could reach the little one, the strange
gentleman, with one long stride, was on the spot, and had seized the
child in his arms. With a firm hand he grasped the reins, and brought
the terrified beast to a standstill by sheer strength. It all happened so
quickly that, looking at the child playing merrily with its ball a moment
after, one could almost have fancied it was all a dream. The girl, who
had turned as pale as death, was leaning against the side of the house;
but quickly regaining her self-control, she hastened to her little charge,
saying, with trembling voice, as she shyly glanced at its preserver, "I
thank you, sir; you have saved the little one entrusted to me from great
peril."
The unfortunate rider who had been thrown now came limping up, and
was profuse with his thanks to this "friend in need."
There was such a very remarkable contrast between the two men, as
they now stood side by side, that it struck the eye of every one present,
even the young girl's. The humble bearing and uncouth figure of the
Brother looked decidedly unprepossessing compared with the tall,
elegant form of Alexander, which, with all its agility and grace, was
full of power, as if forged from steel. Every muscle was still strained by
the exertion just made; his face was flushed, his blue eyes sparkled
with the fire of inward strength of will, and yet the expression showed
no evidence of agitation, only quiet consciousness of power. While he

yet held the reins with his left hand, he assisted the other man, who
finally succeeded in gaining the saddle.
"A vicious animal, sir," said Alexander to the other, handing him the
bridle. "He seems to be skittish, and will not admit of any joking; spare
the spur, and keep