The midland journal., 1886-05-28


the girl comes on alone.
She starts when she sees Uercward, and
g'ances apprehensively after her lover. But
q second look reassures her apparently for
she passes Hereward with Slight curtsey,
and very self-possessed stare. Even the old
red and green plaid shawl thrown carelessly
over her head, and held together under her
chin with one plump hand, does not maize
her look other than lovely, though the frosty
alr has deepened the carmine on her cheeks.
Or perhaps Robert North is answerable for
their added color. She does not look like Il
girl who would take lovers scolding quietly,
however well deserved.
Hereward has forgotten his box of fusces.
lie therefore makes his way down to the
mill by the same path that the girl has taken,
and, putting his head i'll at the door where
lie has just seen her enter, asks to be per-
mitted to light his pipe.
Hcreward is quite honest in this desire to
smoke, and has really and TRULY forgotten
his Vesta box. But when he issues from the
door OF the mill and comes face to face with
party OF equestrians, who have drawn up
Their horses IN the road, he cannot keep an
apparently guilty flush from mounting to the
Very roots of his hair
Lord Herlot is talking to old Trathaway
about his roof; they have ridden round by
'he hlln Tor thus purpose. The horses i'm
patient at the delay, will not stand still
Inc gray is Iarticu arly restless, for Lady
Gladys hushes angrlly, and gives him a severe
cut Win her riding whip Lord Hariot does
not look over pleased when lie sees Hereward
but Miss Middleton laughs mischievous
laugh. They do not delay for many mo-
ments. AS Hereward lifts his hat in passing
10 his homeward path through the fir wood,
they start Off together at a canter up the
road, bat not before he meets scornful
emnce from Lady Gladys Palliser's blue
eyes.
Rereward is annoyed by the encounter
and Yet he can hardly explain to himself the
reason of Lis annoyance. Why should he not
so to the mill? Why should he not also
wish to make the acquaintance of Miss
Irathaway% Why should he not even get
up Irritation with her, if it so pleased him
IL seemed to be the fashion at kingscourt to
admire her, why should he not admire her
among the rest? He does not admire her
but that is begging the question. He does
not see what business it is of anybodys if he
chooses so to amuse himself
AT dinner in the evening Doctor Jones
rallies him upon his subjugation to the rustic
beauty. Hereward neither allows nor denies
the impeachment
81 admire her vastly myself but haven't
time, else | should cut out all you young fell
lows, the little Doctor asserts laughingly
Not that think any of you have chance
That young North will carry her away from
you all, OF my names not John Jones.
..They don't seem to get ON particularly
we'll together"
Don't they? Oh, that makes no differ
once A girl rather likes jealous lover, I
do believe. BY the way, you've made Miss
Middleton uncommonly jealous.
81 have:" Hereward asks carelesslv
"les. 1t was she who told me of having
met you down at the mill
81 did not think she troubled her head as
to my whereabouts"
"Well, 1t seems she does. But, talking of
North. do you know that he was fired at last
night, IN the plantation He chased a cou-
pie OF those rascally poachers for more than
Il hundred yards, VIII III one of them, finding
he was gaining upon him, turned and fired
The ruttian missed him; but it was a close
shave. There must really be stop put to
this poaching business. Is was plucky of
North to Chase the fellow; but what can one
man do! Next time it may cost him bis life
IL 4AS tIOtSlAplS W COlluI one Ol UQGln. LORD
Herlot threatens to put spring guns all about
the place but 1t Will be a terribly unpopular
proceeding. l should not advise it unless
the worst came to the worst. "
North cannot identify the fellow who
fired at him, l suppose?"
''No. 1t was pitch dark down there in the
woods. That was how the shot did not take
effect. Talking of the woods, did you not
admire the Mill Nook! 1t is one of the lions
at kingscourt."
sit is a pretty place"
'Do you care for tishing?"
Not much. Blount does, though He
told me he got very good sport there, and
landed some tine fish"
Yes. Lord Herlot is great fisherman
L do not care much for the pursuit myself
There Is punt on the river Il good way be-
low the fall Did you see 7"
mo. don't think [ went so far down"
''There is short cut to Kingsleieh. I
have sometimes gone to meet the train thar
way, When L have boen obliged to walk. 1t
shortens the distance by more than half a
mile, and Is beautiful i'll fine weather"
- am sure of that. | can imagine il
woulk be beautiful in summer"
we are to have some visitors here next
month, Doctor Jones SAYS, holding up his
glass to the light with the air of Il connols-
seur. "But no doubt you have heard"
mo, l have not heard" Hereward does
not not like the idea of an influx of visitors
to Mngscourt. These days are pleasant
enough; he wishes they could last forever,
just as they are.
MIR. and Mrs. Charles Cavendish are COM
ing Do you know them!"
The old shadow crosses Herevard's face
but he sets down his glass with very steady