The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-08-04
CHAPTER VIII.

The snow does not disappoint Miss Middle
ton. She has the pleasure OF seeil.g white
Christmas. But on the day after Christmas
rapid thaw sets in, and, Immediately fol-
lowing the thaw. period of ankle deep m,lt::
Tar more unpleasant than the SNOW But
this again is followed By week Of almost
spring like weather.
The horses at Kingsco'lit make up for their
idleness now. Lord Heriot hunts almost
every day, and, when he does not hunt, rides
with his sister and her friend In fact,
everybody is provided with Il mount. Evie
has his own shaggy Shetland, Lady GLADYS
a beautiful gray thoroughbred who knows
her voice and puts his velvet nose through
the bars of his loose box to be caressed by
her hand Miss Middleton rides slender
bay, suited to her light weight, and Hereward
has the choice of two or three. He gene
rally rides hi. raw-boned black horse, rather
ii'ldle-headed, but splendid jumper, anG
not to be ridden by everybody Perhaps
this is why Hereward especially affects him.
These riding parties are very pleasant.
Hereward sometimes joins them, but he likes
still better to walk his horse slowly under the
great old trees, and lose himself in reveries
dangerous reveries, perhaps, Us there Is
danger in the still CLASSY pools above the falls
of Niagara, hut no danger so long us one does
not slip over the brink ; that is annihiation.
One morning ut breakfast it is arranged to
ride over to lunchen at Nettlewood. They
have have often been invited there, but have
not hitherto accepted the invitation on tho
plea of the weather.
- The horses are brought round at eleven
o'clock, Hereward goes out with Lord Heriot,
- watch the departure of the cavalcade.
Lord Heriot swings Miss Middleton into Ler
saddle and Hereward performs the same
office for Lady Gladys Palliser. She stoops
to pat the horses slim warm neck, and Here
ward still standing at her saddle bow looks
at the gauntleted hand.
''Whas are going to do with yourself,
H5rsward:' shouts Lord Heriot, refining in
his impatient bay.
Il think shall walk down to the river.
have never seen this much vaunted river of
yours yet.
'.All right. And if you see North, tell him
to keep sharp look out over those planta-
tions. am very much mistaken if did not
hear n shot in that direction last night"
Hereward stands bareheaded on the sunny
terrace steps, till they have cantered down
the drive. Then he returns to his book by
the library fire. He has been rather idle OF
llte, nc tunkS, ana he muSt make up now
for lost time. He must not allow Lord
HeriOts laziness to affect him. Lord Heriot
does not depend for his daily bread ON the
College exhibitions-forturately for him!
But to will and to do are two very different
things, as Hereward presently discovers. He
grows restless-his thoughts wander from
the open page. He has never experienced
this feeling before. Nettie Blount had never
prevented his studies-she had rather en-
abled him to work. But this new feeling
this strange uneasy sensation Of something
about to happen-of waiting, and watching
for he knows not what-annoys and worries
him. He cannot conquer it by changing his
book for one more absorbing, he cannot dis
pei it by his old habit of walking up and
down the room It is there still, that pro-
phetic hint Of approaching-what?
He sets out for long walk after luncheon.