The midland journal., 1886-05-28
EARRETT SYLVESTER,
CHAPTER VIII.
OF

d Idplu JIlilW SETS III, ana, llnnleulately 1Ol-
lowing the thaw. period of ankle deep mud
far more unpleasant than the snow But
this again is followed by q week of almost
spring like weather.
The horses at KingscoGit 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 a mount. Evie
has his own shaggy Shetland, Lady Gladys
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 big raw -boned black horse, rather
fiddle-headed, but splendid jumper and
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, as there is
danger in the still CLASSY pools above the falls
of Niagara, but no danger SO long as one does
not slip over the brink that is annihilation.
One morning at 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 the
plea of the weather
The horses are brought round at eleven
O'Clock, HcreWard goes out with Lord Heriot,
to watch the departure of the cavalcace.
Lord Heriot swings Miss Middleton into her
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,
Hereward!' shouts L. ri Heriot, relning in
his impatient bay
81 think L shall walk down to the river.
I 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 1 did not
hear 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
Late he thinks, and he must make up now
for lost time. He must not allow Lord
Herio5s laZiness to affect him. Lord Hariot
does not depend for his daily bread on the
College exhibitions fortunately for him!
things, as Hereward presently discovers. He
grows restless-his thoughts wander from
the open page. HI has never experienced
this feeling before. Nettie Bount mad never
prevented his studies-she had rather en-
abled him to work. Bat 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. 1t is there still, tnaU pro-
phetlc hint Of approaching what!
He sets out for long walk after luncheon.
1t is fair afternoon-there is breath almost
of spring in the air. The woods are very
still and silent, the sunshine almost warm
The lower river, seen through the picture
like opening among the trees, glitters like
sheet of silver; there is a frosty blue haze in
the hollows, giving vague beau y TO the loom
ing trunks and bare mossy bough8. If
Hereward had come upon 1t turf OF pale
FAINT prlmroses at the roots of some of the
trees lac would scarcely have been surprised.
The path to the river leads downwarls
through great tir wood. The river runs
through harrow gorge, and outstretchins
bougIS III some places Interlacing from side
W elIe ucIOSS lIe torrent III others the
banks are less steep, the water expanding
into quiet reaches dimpling round fairy
islands of reeds. Herowuru follows Il patl
besides it for more than II mile, then sud
den bend i'll the river brings him within view
of the mill.
1t is q picturesque old MILL 1t stand:
on an island formed by the river on the one
hand, and the mill race on the other The
walls are washed on three sides by the rush
ing Hood Hereward wonders wAether the
Inhabitants have grown accustomed 10 the
deafeninS sound of the water, and have
learned to hear each others voices above the
continual roar.
There is Il cascade just above the mill, n
semi-circular cataract sending rainbowed
cloud over the stones in II rushing, hurrying,
laundering fall, distinctly audible at Kings
court when the air is still Hereward stands to
watch it for long time, throws twigs
into the water above it, and dreamily watches
them rs they are whirlcd to destruction be-
low. As he turns away at last from this APP
parently fascinating pastime, he becomes
aware of pair of lovers.
Hereward guesses at once that they are
lovers, and knows that his surlnise is correct
when they come near enough for him to dis
tinguish their faces. Robert North, with
his gun carried carelessly on his shoulder,
slouches along with Anne Grace Trathaway
by his side. They are talking earnestly, SO
earnestly that they do not for while dis