The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-22
THE RIDDLE OF THE
RING.
A Roundabout Romance in Three
Chapters.
BY W. W. FEM, AUTHOR OF HALF
HOURS OF BLIND MANS HOL-
IDAY," ETC.
CHAPTER Ii -(CoNT1NuED.)


close contact with the hunt, and, like
the sportsmen just mentioned, contented
herself with watching it from the high
points of vantage, so that not unfre-
quently she would be in close proximity
to the idle lookers-on. Several times,
doubtless, she would have found this
proximity uniting and unpleasant but
Tor her escort in close attendance. The
sober aspect of old Peters, who always
kept we'll up, acted as all efectual safe
guard against anything more than side
long glances at her remarkable grace and
beauty. A really pretty woman, with a
1.-THE, youthful, yet we'll rounded figure,
small head, and delicate throat, perfectly
we'll dressed in hat and habit, and who
Knows how to ride, never shows to a bet
ter advantage than ON horseback, which
II as much as to say that Miss Farley
never looked better anywhere else; and
though her features might not have an
swered all the requirements Of sculptor,
the bright brown eyes, piquant nose,
pearly teeth peeping out of the smiling,
good -natured, yet firm mouth, and the
chestnut hair coiled neatly under the tall
hat, were sufficient to justify the looks
Of admiration by which she was met on
Ill sides.
One day, whilst she was watching a
mart run going ON in neighboring hol-
low, the old, horse on which the groom
was mounted suddenly took into his head
to follow the music of the dogs, and after
giving himself a good shake, and omin-
ously pricking up his ears, he got the bit
between his teeth, and fairly bolted, in
spite of the mans efforts to hold him.
The force Of example affected Miss Far
ley's animal, who dashed after the groom,
and there seemed every probability of
his rider becoming also an involuntary
member of the field. As, however, Mar
ion was perfectly at home, she managed
before long to pull the animal up, and,
putting him round, made him face the
hill at a brisk gallop for her pleasure, as
he had descended it for his own. She
was regaining the crest, where Ann Brice
had prudently remained, when her quick
eye observed a well-mounted sporting
looking man earnestly talking with her
attendant. He withdrew as Miss Farley
approached, and she caught the last
words which she uttered to Ann Brice, as
he rode away without turning his head,
Remember, then, at six
After speaking Of the runaway horses,
Marion said:
That gentleman was talking to you;
what did he want%
% miss, he only made some remark
about the way you managed your horse,
and asked me where you lived
and did you tell himp inquired Mar
ion, archly, and looking, straight into the
girls face, who colored and seemed con-
fused.
We'll, miss, no; that is, you see
'Yes, l see, interrupted Marion; you
did, and it was very wrong
The truth is, miss, the gentleman was
a visitor in the family where | last lived,
and he used to talk to me sometimes;
and he had been watching us all the
morning, but did not recognize me till
Just as your horse ran away. Don't you
think he is very handsome? the girl
added, looking after him.
4 don't know, indeed; I did not see;
indeed, l did not look;' but Marion's
eyes now seemed very much inclined, if
they dared, to make up for their negli-
gence, for the latent love of admiration
common in all pretty girls was not likely
to have been repressed by residence in
Brighton, where the language of the eye,'
perhaps, is as well understood as in any
town in the world, and she had mastered
its grammar during a long course of
promenades on the cliffs in the ranks of
her school. Thus, although appearing
to deprecate her companions want Of
caution, she nevertheless betrayed to the
austere Ann Brice considerable curios-
ity as to what more had passed about
herself.
what did he mean she said, by
Remember, then, at ski" Are you 60
Ing to meet him?
We'll, he did ask me, miss, to do So
%, well, if you know him, of course
you can do as you please. But would
advise you not to let it come to my aunt's
ears, and mind you don't tell him any
thing about me; he can't be interested
In my affairs, and l shall not allow
But here she was interrupted by the re-
turn of Peters, somewhat hot and scared
by the unwonted exertions of his unex-
pected gallop; and as by this time the
afternoon was drawing on, and the
hounds had long since gone far away, our
riding party turned their horses heads
homewards, and soon after reached Dene
Court
As Marion was closing the window Of
her room, into which streamed a bright
autumnal afternoon SUI. sne saw in the
roadway sairting the house, the form of
a horseman slowly passing along. He
was looking at her window, and recogniz-
ing him at once as Der attendants ac-
quaintanee, she could. hardly refrain
from an injudicious and highly reprehen-
sible smile as she suddenly drew the
blind. Of course the young lady's be-
.havior can not be defended; but we be-
lieve, bearing we'll in mind all the cir
stances of her life, her disposition, the
1oca Iitv in which she had heen aducatad