The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-04-26


dismissed her maid, and has begun to
court sleep. She had been indulging in a
long thinking spell As she YEARLY com
poses herself she cries suddenly
al hate him-I hate him! But how
noble he is!
Outside In the moonlight strolls Harold
Raisbeck- As he fings away the end oi
his cigar and turns toward the house ne
mutters:
81 shall win my heiress, but never wear
herr
Morning dawns bright and beautiful
Lady Maud, usually an early riser, over
sleeps herself, and does not wake until her
maid, wondering much at her mistress
drowsiness, is softly leaving the room for
the third time.
"Is it not very late, Phipson 70
"Very, my lady"
"Open the window and let in the fresh
air"
Phipson obeys, and with much in terest
stands looking out over the park
"What are you staring at ?''
cat Mr.. Raisbeck and Miss Hamilton
my lady. What a nice couple they do
make, to be sure ?''
Lady Maud hastens to the window and
peeps out. The two have just met ap-
parently, and with much empressnent are
exchanging greetings Presently Harold
offers his arm, and they start of, laugh
ing and chatting gayly.
He loses neither time nor opportu-
nifty" is Lady Maud's unspoken comment,
and forthwith she falls into reflective fit,
which lasts during the whole period of
dressing.
She has defed this man--nay. more,
threatened him, offered to give every op-
portunity to win her, and bidding him
to look to himself 1t behoores her,
therefore, to carry the war into the en-
emy's country to make a conques. of him,
and the prospect of finding a dangerous
rival in May Hamilton piques her to the
encounter. She is unusually careful in
her toilet, and makes her way to the break
fast room just as May and Harold return.
With little flush of exul:ation she notes
his admring glance, and her response to
his greeting is free from the hauteur of
the preceding evening.
Miss Hamilton and | have been en-
joying the morning air." he says. eve
are planning a ride to Mathene Abbey.
Will you be one of the party 2"
With pleasure"
Sir Charles Digby and three or four
guests at once volunteer, and in two hours
time merry cavalcade winds along the
romantic lanes which lead to the ruins.
They ride by twos. Harold keeps close
to Nays side; Sir Charles follows Lady
Maud. The four are in the highest spir-
It's and maintain quick fire of badnage.
Soon the road widens With touch Of
the heel the baronet and his companion
come abreast. He reins in his horse, and
points across the meadows
"Lookt - he cries. You can Just see
the ruins and how the road winds. What
a glorious gallop it would be across the
country" What do you say, Lady
Maud p
"I should like it of all things and
backing her horse she is about to rush
him at the fence, when Harold lays a
hand on the bride.
"Do you know whether the ladies'
horses jump well, Dgby ?" he inquiries.
" | have no idea,'' replied Sir Charles,
carelessly.
"Oh, NO doubt of it, Mr. Raisbeck -
says Lady Maud. aLet my horse 60,
please"
"No," he rejoins, firmly. 1--WE shall
meet Lord Derwentwater at the Abbey.
and if he reports well Of the animals YOU
may return as you desire,' Lady Maud
hesitates and pouts little.
eve will ride on" says Harold, in
quiet tone of command.
She obeys, wondering why this man is
not as other men are-why she, who had
never before followed any will but her
own, has in this case been overruled The
subject keeps her very silent until the
ruins are reached. Lord Derwentwater
is there already, having taken shorter
but less picturesque route. Harold rides
up to him and makes some inquiries in
low tone, then gives his horse to groom
and assists Lady Maud to dismount.
"Come with me-" he SAYS, "and will
play the part of intelligent guide. More
over, want to speak to you"
He leads her by little messy path
way to the northern end Of the Abbey,
beyond sight and hearing, and stops
abruptly.
"Since thwarted your intention just
now you have been thinking me very
tyrannical, and wondering at your sub
mission
Reading your open book again ~ she
queries, with smile.
"Do you know, Lady Maud" he said,
looking at her gravely, you might now
be seriously hurt, the victim of some ac-
cident more or less terrible
She shudders slightly at his earnest
ness. Thesweet eyes mutely nterrogated
him
The horse you have been riding is a
young one, recently broken. He has
never yet been put at fence and he is of
a most fiery temper"
Forgive me-" she says, with pretty
gesture of humility, holding out her
hand. ~I will not question your judg-
ment again"
He takes her hand and lays it on his
arm.
"Now," he says, =" let me show you the
wonders of this venerable pile"
For half an hour he leads her from one
spot to another, recounting the past glo-
ries of the now crumbling mass. They
stop at length in what was small chapel
centuries before. lie fings himself upon
a messy floor and motions her to seat
upon huge stone, at the foot of which
he lies. Crossed hands form pillow for
his head; the glorious sun streams down
upon his upturned face. With closed
eyes he begins to talk and holds her spell
bound. He tells wild legends of the