storm that ever gathered in the heavens! Why, look out of that
window--the very birds and beasts know it, and instinctively seek
shelter--look at that flock of crows flying home! See how the dumb
beasts come trooping toward their sheds! Capitola, you had better
give up going altogether, my dear! "

"There! I thought all this talk tended to keeping me within doors,
but I can't stay, Mrs. Condiment! Good Mrs. Condiment, I can't!"

"But, my dear, if you should be caught out in the storm!"

"Why, I don't know but I should like it! What harm could it do? I'm
not soluble in water--rain won't melt me away! I think upon the
whole I rather prefer being caught in the storm," said Cap,
perversely.

"Well, well, there is no need of that! You may ride as far as the
river's bank and back again in time to escape, if you choose!" said
Mrs. Condiment, who saw that her troublesome charge was bent upon
the frolic.

And Cap, seeing her horse approach, led by one of the grooms, ran
up-stairs, donned her riding habit, hat and gloves, ran down again,
sprang into her saddle and was off, galloping away toward the river
before Mrs. Condiment could add another word of warning.

She had been gone about an hour, when the sky suddenly darkened, the
wind rose and the thunder rolled in prelude to the storm.

Major Warfield came skurrying home from the mill, grasping his