The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-05
CUT BY THE COUNTY.
A NOVEL BY MISS M E. BRADDON
Mems Shoes Etc
''DoUBr NOT THAT HAVE COUNTED WE'LL THE
COST

COST"
Colonel Stukely rode slowly along the top of
the ridge looking for the sandy hillock, to lee
ward of that cluster of ragged frs. where Grace
and he had seen the vagabond lying. He found
that particlar hillock easily enough there were
the prints of the horses hoofs to show him the
way; but the man was gone. He rode all over
the common, round and about looking for him,
almost as closely as the hounds would have
hunted for a fox; but there was no sign OF
human creature sheltering behind any OF those
furze bushes, or in any of these hollows.
He heard the hounds winding round the base
of the hill. and went zigzagging down, to find
Grace in a field at the bottom. The fox had gone
TO ground and the huntsmeu getting the
hounds together to 90 back to the kennels, dig
gng out not being counted as virtue in this
district Mr.. Colchester was in high spirits; his
young hounds had worded admirably, and he
had been with Grace almost all the morning.
1t was only 0 o'clock now, and they would be
back in time for a latish breakfast Grace and
her father had dismounted and standing
side by side, while the grooms eased the saddles.
Grace gave little appealing look at the
Colonel, which he answered by grave shake of
his head
You'll come to breakfast with u.s. Colchester
said Sir Allan I'VE are nearer than the manor.
And it may be the last time we shall breakfast
together for five or six months"
1.-The last time!" gasped Colchester. What
do you mean~
LADY Daruel is ordered to the south for the
winter, and we are all off, as soon ever we can
start"
"All! You and Lady Darnel, Isupposep
"And Grace. Grace is going with us"
What, are you going to lose the hunting, just
when Sir Allen has bought you that perfect
mare, and with poor old Blackbird fat as a
fiddle too? How can you, Miss Darnel'
eyes, it's very sad, isn't it," murmured Grace,
hardly knowing what she was saying, her mind
full of that figure lying against the healthy knoll,
that rusty velveteen jacket, that battered old
felt wide-awake, the very image of restitution
and decay Her lover, her plghted lover, the
man for whose sake she had renowned AL the
rest of mankind, binding herself by lifelong
VOW. And then she glanced shyly at the master
Of the hounds, trottng beside her along the rus
tic lane-the frank, manly face, the bright En-
glish complexion, the look of gentle blood, the
clear outlook of eyes which had never feared the
face of foe. And she knew in her heart of
hearts that this man cared for her above all
women.
care you really going?" he asked ruefuly
''Really and truly" she said, "but it is not for
so very long. We shall come back in the spring
as soon as the weather is mild enough for Lady
Darnel"
Not before May" said Sir Allen. 'Our eli
1,
and May is about the most treacherous
month in the year." interjeeted the Colonel.
Never put your trust in May. All the old En-
glish saws tell you that"
"And you are going to Italy" said Edward
Colchester growing more and more respondent,
"and there are these cursed hounds to tie a fell
low by the leg. What part are you going top
He had not been much of continental tray
eler, a fortnight in Paris being his largest idea in
that line. He had boosted that Scotland and
ireland were good enough for his holiday ground.
Why go to Norway to fish for salmon when one
could have better fishing assConnemara, among
people who spoke ones mother tongue more or
less! Edward Colchester had the sturdy, true
blue British temperament, and thought that if
God had given him fortune it was his duty to
literally in the place where he was born. The
manor was maintained in noble style, chiefly for
the advantage of three maiden aunts his own
habits being Of the simplest The bulk of the
expenses of the kennels fell upon him; for
although ostensibly subscription pack, the Will
ton Moor hounds must have gone very short
commons, and the Wilton Moor huntsmen must
have ridden sorry cattle, had they depended on
the liberality of the neighborhood
What part of Italy!" inquired Mr.. Colchester,
as he logged along by Grace's side
Il think father said we were to go to the
lakes
"Como, and that kind of thing. All, very
NICE daresay. And salmon. wonder. WE'LL
Miss Darnel as l have never seen Italy I'll run
over and join you for fortnight or so in April,
if Sir Allan will let me-
''You would find it very dull, I am afraid, :"
replied Grace sadly. 1--WE are not going for
sight seeing or gaiety; but solely on account of
Lady Darnels health"
II shouldn't care how quiet you might be. I
should go to see Italy-and you"
II say Colchester, where did you get that
chestnut the whip rode this morningw asked Sir
Allan, and the Masterwas obliged to leave Graces
side to talk to her father.
Grace fell back directly and began to question
the Colonel.
''How dreadful" she said, when he had told
her of his failure. ''If he should go away from
the neighborhood without help Penniless,
starving, perhaps"
''No fear of that think. You may depend
he has come to this neighborhood meaning to
halu md
hear of him soon enough, be sure But when
ever he does approach you, mind you refer him
to me-"
How uukindly you speak of him. Colonel as
If he were my enemy
'How can Think of him except as yourene
A penniless adventurer who inveigles a school