The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-02-04

| collections were connected Win MS mother
and her pride in and love for the old place.
And he had advisers who gave him more
palatable counsel. Chief among these, his
sweetheart, Dell Richards. the sweetest
little girl in the world, the stepdaughter Of
his aunt, Lady Richards.
| Now Dell Richards was the heiress OF
the fine property known as Halsey Combe,
which at one point touched on the domains
of Ladypriors and stretched away in de-
tached portions, with woods, and cornfelds,
and wide pastures, as far as the Berkshire
Downs. There was an old saying in those
parts often repeated by the gnarled old
wearers of smock-frocks in the neighbor-
hood, although nobody seemed to know its
meaning exactly: .r.a GOA r1
"Lady Priors and Halsey Combe
Shall never be lost and never be won,
Till Wayland Smith come out of his tomb. "
As the doggerel had never been reduced
to writing, there was some dispute as to
whether anever be won" should not be un-
derstood as ''never be one" Anyhow, al
though repeated attempts had been made
to unite the two properties by matrimonial
arrangements, these had always broken
down in one way or another.
Why should Lady Richards object to
her nephew as husband for Dell :? Well,
as she alleged, it was her duty to see that
her daughter made good match, and,
owing to her poor brothers miserable In
fatuation, Charles could no longer be re-
garded in that light. And Lady Richards
held the estate for life, and was her STEP
daughters guardian.
Young Lilburn took the advice that
came most gratefully to his own inclinations.
As his father had sunk SO much in getting
together racing stud, he would do his
best to get a return for it. He sold a
farm or two and paid off all pressing liza
bilities. As for the few thousands that
Paddock had advanced to save the old
Squire's reputation, that excellent fellow
begged him not to trouble himself to re-
paw it till he felt his legs again. There
were bills to be signed, of course, and in
terest to be added on, but that was all a
matter of form. Charlie Travelled about
from one race meeting to another, saw
that his horses were done justice to, and,
on the whole, made both ends meet, al
though the trainers bills were constant
source of wonder and dismay. Charlie
did not burden himself with the cost of
any establishment, bachelor or otherwise,
but took up his quarters at the "Cross
Keys"
Here, one sweet Summers evening, he
sat by the open window looking out on the
green lawn that sloped down to the river
brink, slipping his after-dinner coffee and
smoking cigarette with a good deal OF
enjoyment, for he had gone through long
tagging day of heat and dust, and the
lovely calm and coolness of the scene
were delightful. But he soon shook of
his luxurious lethargy, and, strolling down
to the river, loosened skiff from its moor
ings and padded slowly up the stream.
Charlie did not paddle very far, for,
coming to the little creek that led to the
boat house of Ladypriors, he lodged under
the chain that hung across as a warning to
rowing oarsmen, and presently shot his
skiff into the calm and quiet retreat, where
half dozen boats swayed gently to and fro
in the ripple caused by the new arrival,
while soft lights danced upon the walls
and the evening radiance shone through
the overhanging foliage.
Soon light football caught Charlie S
quick ears. ''She is coming, my own, my
sweet" he murmured, and he sprang up
the steps to meet and clasp in his arms his
sweet Cousin Dell.
"Oh, Charlie" she cried breathless from
the hearty salutations of her adorer, 81 am
so glad to see you again, and victorious,
too p
"Yes, I've scored pretty well, Dell
But the best news is this: The weights
are out for the Jubilee Stakes, and Way
land Smith is in at six stone six"
"Oh, the dear thingl" cried Dell en-,
Enthusiastically. 81 am glad if it is anything
good. But why is it good?''
"Why, it's just nothing to him in the
way of weight" explained Charlie, "and
his own lad, George can't ride him without
wasting, and it will be fine thing fol-
George if he wins, for it will bring him in
to notice.
"And for you, what will it do for you
Charlie ?" asked Dell anxiously. "You
are always thinking about other people
first, you dear boy"
"Oh, it will do heap for me" said
Charlie. ''The stakes are five thousand
clear, and l have ventured five hundred on
him at ten to one, which is another five
thousand"
"You will win ten thousand pounds.
Charlie Oh, shall pray for Wayland
Smith
"Don't," said Charlie, nervously; ''ii
might not be lucky He had vein Of
superstition about him, that youth, al
though not credulous in most things.
"But, Charlie, what lot it will do for
YOU |" continued Miss Richards.
GA heap cried Charles. "Why, it will
clear off all the old scores and put things
straight say, Dell, if I win, | shall give
the old lady notice to quit and come back
to live at Ladypriors. Not the young one
though, Dell-no, l shall keep her"