Slowly at first, but with
an increasing impetus, she advanced toward health, the condition
of all genuine life. She at last exchanged her carriage for a
saddle-horse.
Mr. Wayland had one taste in which his wife did not share--a love
for horseback exercise, which, indeed, was one of the chief
characteristics of the community. Madge knew that Graydon was
extremely fond of a good horse, and that he rode superbly. To become
his equal therefore in this respect was one of the chief dreams of
her ambition. It was with almost a sense of terror that she mounted at
first, but Mr. Wayland was considerate. Her horse was only permitted
to walk, and she was taken off as soon as she was weary. Confidence
increased rapidly, and eventually she became fearless and almost
tireless. The beach was like a smooth, hard road-bed, and before the
summer was over she thought little of a gallop of ten miles, with the
breath of the Pacific fanning her cheek. When Mr. Wayland drove with
his wife up through Mission and Hot Springs canons, or eight miles
away to the exquisitely beautiful Bartlett Canon and the fine adjacent
ranches, she accompanied them on horseback. As she flashed along past
date-palms, and through lemon and orange groves, she began to appear
semi-tropical herself.
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