The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-10-22
from Longman's Magazine.l
LAFFAIRE SPINkS
BY BERNARD HASTE.

She said no more, but followed MI
through gate into a pasture knee
deep III rich grass. The dew had been
heavy. and at every step my boots
and gait+rs brushed glitterlng show
er of drops from the heritage. Th
first half-doz+n yards must have soak
ed the scarlet stockings and Partisan
shoes, but Miss Spinks made no slgn
and plodded resolutely on. Th.
hounds had got long start, and We
had To walk too brlskly to allow of
conversation, but after crossing cou-
pie of fields We got sight of the sports
men grouped In the far corner of tn,
meadow. while chorus of deep notes
from the stream httok+n..d the disr"v-
cry of srent | dropped into IA NOR
yl>urets pace, and Mss Splnks, com
,ng up with me-, lo"ktd up III my face
>-.yln2 ia pialntlve .iccenrs,-
Are you very angry with u-
Aren't you going to talk to me?
Angry? Not in the least" r.
piled why should | be?"
Il thought perhaps you didn't wal,
my company she murmured.
IF you are not afraid to risk We
skirt or sprained ankle, | cannot bu
/ be pleased to escort you.
But my ankles are very strong.
said she Don't you think sop
They were, unquestionably, but
thought perhaps l had better not sa
so. so changed the subject.
There must be scent down yonde,
You see they are watching the hound
and one or two Of the pack are giving
tongue"
Giving tongue" she echoed "Wha
nice sporting expressions you use
You must be quite an authority OIL
sport, aren't you?"
"Well, hardly an authority" | IT
piled deprecatlngly. But one cam"
live in the country, as | do, withou
knowing something of such matters
How wish lived In the countr, :
laid she with sigh. Then, perhap-
YOU would help me with my new nov
el."
Il shall be happy to do that if ca'
be of any use" | replied gallantly.
"Oh, will you?" she cried. wi,
you help me while | write? and tel
me what to say? and let me read wha
| [ have written to you?"
L thought, perhaps, my wife woulC
hardly approve of my giving unquali
fed assent to this proposal, so | only
said,-
II am fattered that you should val
ue my opinion, and [ will call som.
day to hear your opening chapters.
but | want ycu really to help me
when | am writing" she said, with
tinge of disappointment in her tone
"Well, we will see whether Mrs
Brown can suggest plan" | replied
and further debate was postponed b,
our reaching the rest of the part,
Once more | caught Miss Fortescu-
ye, as she glanced with surprise am
.musement at my companions dress
Following the direction of her glance
| saw that the fimsy print was hang
ng III limp, attenuated folds, mud
stained and clinglng closely to tn
wearer's eXtremities, while the scarle
stockings were reduced to deep bloo'
red, toning down to black. where tn.
varnl,h from the bottines had run AM
soaked into their texture. In short
Miss Spinks was neither spruce no
an interesting figure. aud her costume
compared with Miss Fortescue's nea
killed skirt, and strong, shapely walk
ing boots. did not show to advantage
Of this Mrs. Darcy Domvllle Was ais,
clearly cognizant, and | could see tn.
malicious delight with which she at.
tracted Captain Heavitree's notice t.
the contrast, doubtless considering
that she too profted by the presence
of such foil. 1t was therefore a re-
lief to one at least of the party whel
the hounds failed to find the otter al
hume, and the word was given to push
forward.
"Whatr' cried Miss Spinks, ''art
they going farther?"
Probably for some hours to come
| replied, perhaps with hope that she
might have had enough and be willing
to turn back alone. But no! A mo-
uent's hesitation was followed by an
heroic resolve to see it out; and Mis-
Spinks, moving with rather less elias
ricity than before, was again at my
side. Another hundred yards, durin g
which we were steadily falling into
the rear. brought us to the first seri-
Gus obstacle to our progress. 1t was
Il stout rail fence. four bars high, but
presenting no difficulty to experienced
climbers like Miss Fortescue.
Miss Spinks approached it slowly,
watched me ascend and descend, and
then solemnly avowed her inability to
get over it.
'Oh, | couldn'tt I know [ couldn t /!
should fall and be killed! [ know
know | should! oh, Mr.. Hastie, WI at
m [ to do?"
Gould you get through?" | asked.
''Oh. I'll try. But never did such a
hing before, and | know I can't"
1 hardly fancied she could, but |
title knew what | was to expect.
Miss Spinks eyed the fence, as if
measuring the spaces between the
'ars. Then choosing her spot, she
allied me to her assistance. [ went,
'ot knowing quite how | was to help.
md was beyond measure astonished to
-e her stoop down and thrust her
lead and shoulders between the bars.
apparently with the notion of bring
"g her body after them, more quad
rmppdum. The want of forelegs