The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-29

all her heart, and wouldn't nave SAID
word for the world. f,. p-.t..fs IL,
"Several days went on, and the Squire
and the Captain came out shooting, and
Dick Smith, the head keeper, and used
to 60 with 'em. !. - 4
Zone day Miss Dora came down In lit
tie pony-carriage with the luncheon. The
Sonire was Just finishing his beat OF o
copse, hut Captain Cation was outside:
When Miss Dora came up, he took her hand
and kissed It. But / saw him, though !
wasn't such o BOBBY as to show myseli.
What was worse, sire, the Squire saw u
through the hazel bushes, and her pretty
face blush and look happy.
II heard him grind his teeth where
stood, and whisper o curse. Did you ever
hear one ,chispred, sir 1t makes man
creep all over!
"PresentIy he came out with very
iolly air. and after luncheon he drank Miss
Dora's health, and then the Captains.
Afterwards, when we began beating, he
told the Captain he wanted to speak TO
him. | was carrying the bag, and the
Souire spoke in q bluff sort o. way so
heard all.
".My cousins pretty GIRL said he.
eyes, said Captain Cation, nervonsly-
like. sir, and could see his hand culver.
"Ah, WELL" said the Squire. heartily,
81 used to be jealous; for ! always ad-
mired Dora: that did. But what's the use
nop Never mind, old fellow, wish you
ioy of her; you must excuse my temper,
it's devilish bad ope." :,
"That was truer than he thought, sir"
said the old man, musingly.
"Captain Cation answered HIM very
friendly, and the matter seemed all right.
"The Squire was in dreadful temper
next day with Dick and me because we
hadn't killed some stray dogs that had been
driving the woods.
"He was very savage against poachers,
and swore he'd have spring-guns put Tor the
dogs in all the open runs of the copses..
$50 matters went on till just before
Christmas, when large party of neigh
bors of the Squire came up to shoot over
the pheasant covers. .,,
awe had no peace night or day. All
the spring guns and dog were taken
up; damaged raisins put in all the runs to
toll the pheasants there, and the woods
watched every night. On the night before
we met the Squire, who gave US curse OF
two for running against him as he came
round the copse; he'd been looking after
the raisins, he said for he was a good hand
at seeing his orders carried out.
"The next day all the party went from
the hall to the woods; only the Captain
he loitcred to have few words with Miss
Dora. He drew her back to the hall and
kissed her; and l shall never forget the
way she clasped his hands and looked
not saying word-into his eyes. The
Squire saw it, and / saw his face. 1T wa'
dreadful to see, for he had almost bit HI:
lip in two. He pretended not to see them
and walked after the party.
"The Squire, sir, was very particular II
his shooting parties about every one going
where he wished. If you didn't, he'd lei
YOU know it in some way. So now he gave
everybody instructions where to go. And
CAPTAIN Cation he told to take ride which
was narrow and through hollies, but good
one for woodcocks. He himself went into
the centre of the copse with me, and Dlch
Smith headed the beaters at the end.
"Well, sir, the beating, and the phea,
SAINTS got up well, and there were several
shots fired. Twas odd for me that Tue
Squire never shot at anything, though, LOT
ali that several birds flew by him. didn'
dare to speak though, for he looked So
stern.
Cation in another part. lie swore, but
"tWe,u beat this wood again before
lunch.' he said so, of course, we all came
ont after an hour-during which the Squire
missed everything. We went back to the
Here the old keeper paused and drew a
deep breath. a.,
been out of my mind for fifty years-not
day or night, assure YOU"
1--WE came back to the copse, and were
nut in our old positions. The Squire told
the Captain to take Holly Ride again.
eel suppose Dora will be here soon with
luncheon he said, with laugh.
"Soon enough-soon enough said the
Squire, with dreadful sort of laugh, and
his black eyes cleaning like Goals.
"The shooting went on; suddenly shot
sounded from near the Holly Ride.
"What's that p said the Squire sud-
denly.
"iCaptain's shot a cock, sir, outside the
copse,' said Dick Smith, quietly winking
at me, for he knew how savage the Squire
was at men changing positions.
"HHere comes Miss Dora said l; She
coming through the Holly Ride
/" What screamed the Squire, as he
wheeled round and saw her. Dora
Dora not there! Back, for heavens
sake, backn
-" But she didn't hear him, for the spa.
niels were in full cry, and the beaters
voices drowned the Squire's.
"IIe flung down his gun and rushed to.
wards her.
"tDora!' he screamed, sir-that's the
word stop, you're
"Before he got the word out, sir, there
was little report like pistol. A wreatt
! of blue smoke curled upwards from Mis-:
Maitland's feet, and she fell-fell, with hel
pretty white dress all streaked on the
bosom with blood.
"Ah, SIR" said the old man, shuddering
{" it makes my heart cold even now.
81 ran up and lifted her. She never
shrieked, only moaned once as we raised
her. Her sweet face was all pinched ant
white with pain.
But Captain Cation came up like maj
struck dumb. He knelt down, and drew
her, poor girl, on his breast; and she lait
her poor head there as if she was tire'
child.
"The surgeon Of the village was on
with us. He came up, sir, as we stoot
round, rough fellows as we were, all sob
bling. He knelt down and looked at TIT
wound, and then, sir, he shook his head.
ho So.l,ira hainn hall