Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-13
CONTINUED from Tacsddy. Sept. ~
ENGAGED In HASTE.
II NIss n. z. BRADDoN.
CHAPTER v.


to leeward Of that cluster of rugged frs,
where Grace and he had seen the vagar
bond lying. He found that particular hill
ock 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 fox: but there
was no sign of human creature shelter
ing behind any of those furZe bushes or In
any of those hollows.
He heard the hounds winding around
the base of the hill, and went zigzagging
down to find Grace in field at the Dot
tom The fox had gone to ground, and
the huntsmen were getting the hounds to-
gether to go back to the kennels, digging
out not being counted as a virtue In this
district Mr. Colchester was in high
spirits; his young hounds had worked ad-
mirably and he had been with Grace
almost all morning 1t was only O'Clock
now; they would be back in time for
latish breakfast. Grace and her father
had dismounted, and were standing
side by side, while the grooms
eased the saddles. Grace gave
little appealing look at the colonel,
which he answered by a grave shake OF
his head.
you'll come with us to breakfast, Col
chester" said Sir Allan; 1--WE are nearer
than the manor. And it may be the last
time we shall breakfast together for five
or six months"
"The last time" gasped Colchester.
@What do you mean"
"Lady Darnel is ordered to the south for
the winter, and we are off as soon as ever
we can start"
"Alll You and Lady Darnel, sup
poses"
"And Grace. Grace is going with u.s."
"What, are you going to lose the hunt
ing, just when Sir Allan has brought you
that perfect mare, and with poor old
Blackbird as fit as fiddle, too? How can
you, Miss Darnell?"
ayes, it is very sad, isn't it?" murmured
Grace, hardly knowing what she was say
ing, her mind full of that figure lying
against the healthy knoll, that rusty vel
veteen jacket, that battered old felt wide
awake, the very image of restitution and
decay. Her lover, her plighted lover, the
man for whose sake she had renounced all
the rest of mankind, binding herself by
lifelong vow. And then she glanced shyly
at the master of the hounds, trotting be-
side her along the rustic lane-the frank
manly face, the bright English complex
ion, the look of gentle blood the clear out
look 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.
Are you really goings" he asked rue
fully
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 Allan "Our
climate is not to be trusted before May"
"And May is about the most treacherous
month in the year" interjected the colonel
"Never put your trust in May. All the
old English saws tell you that"
"And you are going to Italy" said Ed
ward Colchester, growing more and more
Respondent, land there are these cursed
hounds to tie a fellow by the leg. What
part are you going tor"
He had not been much of a continental
traveller, fortnight in Paris being his
largest idea in that line.
"What part of Italy2" inquired Mr. Col
chester, as he logged along by Grace's
side.
II think father said we were to go to the
lakes"
"Como, and that kind of thing. All, very
nice, dare say. Any salmon, wonder.
Well, Miss Darnel, as 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, am
afraid" replied Grace. sadly. 1--WE are not
going for sightseeing or gayety; but solely
on account of Lady Darnels health"
al shouldn't care how quiet you might
be, should go to see Italy-and you"
81 say, Colchester, where did you get
that chestnut the whip rode this morn
inqys asked Sir Allan, and the master was
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 told
her of his failure IF he should go away
from the neighborhood without help Pen
niless, starving, perhaps"
"No fear of that, think. You may de-
pend that he has come to this neighbor-
hood meaning to get help, and from you.
Poor Gracel You will hear of him soon
enough, be sure. But whenever he does
approach you. mind you refer him to me-"
"How unkindly you speak of him,
colonel, as If he were my enemy"
"How can | think of him except as your
enemy penniless adventurer who in
veigles school girl into an engagement
which he must know she can only keep at
the sacrifice of her prospects in life
"He did not inveigle me. was very
foolish, perhaps, but l acted of my own
free will. And you have no right TO call
hin, nm adyantnrer inst hpcansa no IL
poor, and because you see him for the first
time under very humiliating circumstan-
ces," said Grace, plucking her handker-
chief out of the pigskin to dry a sudden
rush of tears.
Il do not believe that any industrious,
well-meaning young man would fall 30
low, Grace. There is providence for
struggling youth; and when young fell
low drops below the level of his own class,
be sure there is good reason for the fall
You saw this fellow in Paris, painting for
a livelihood You say he has the educa-
ton of gentleman, and that he paints
we'll Such a man has no right to be lying
ON Chicksand Common, dressed like
tramp"
at may be a disguise" said Grace, more
and more indignant; besides, you ought
to remember that it is sometimes more
difficult for gentleman to keep his head
above water than for an agricultural la
borer or a mechanic. Somebody says that
the high roads in Australia are made by
university men Education is a drug in
the market everywhere.
"The young man looks disreputable and
dissipatedn
aHe looks very ILL.," said Grace.
aIf he comes to Darnel this afternoon