Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-30

to rival ,U1. Ii was mere accident and
good gui ling on the part of some of the
officers v-hs were kind enough to stay by
me, that enabled me to be in at the death
the Other day."
you lave Mr.. Perry to lead you today.
Surely with such a guide you ought to be
inspired. Am to see anything of you
today she almost whispered to him, as
her stirrrp brushed his riding boot.
Certainly" he answered, quietly, and
looking lier over with frank blue eyes
that were rather too clear and calm for
her MOOD. IF Mrs. Lawrence will ex-
cuse me a few moments by and by, il
will be pleasure to come and ride with
you. II ask her."
Indeed you shall not" was the low
toned reply, while the dark eyes fairly
snapped with indignation. II do not
borrow other women's escort. If you
know no other way that ends it"
And then Mrs. Sprague's CHEEKY voice
had hailed them as her eager horse came
splashins into the stream; no opportunity
occurred for further impressive remarks,
but as the field" rode out upon the
prairie again and the dogs spread their
yelping skirmish line along the front,
Mrs. Bell,nap felt confident that before
they returned to Rossiter she would have
her big, simple hearted admirer in some
shape for discipline. Two capital runs
added 10 her self satisfaction, for in one
of them she was side by side with the
foremost rider at the finish, and in both
Il, A 81, 20 sf,y
Then came a third, and with it a revela-
ton to OF and all.
II was almost noon. and from a point
we'll out on the prairie to the northeast
of Dunr5 ven the field" was hunting
slowly homeward. horses and hounds
pretty well tired out. and the riders
quite con 5ent with their mornings sport.
Up to tn ; time Perry had been in CEN
slant attendance upon Mrs. Lawrence.
and had made no effort to Join Mrs. Bel
KNAPP. Now. however, he could not but
zee that every little while her ewes
sought h with significant glance and
that she vas riding well out To the left
Of the party, Dana faithfully lowering
about h,r. The colonel with Mrs.
Sprague ranged alongside just then, and
a general conversation ensued, In the
course of which Perry found himself a
trifle in tie way. If there was one thing
fastidious Nolan did not like. it was to
be crowded by horses for whom he had
no particI lar respect; and, as a number
OF riders were grouped about Mrs. Law
renee at the moment, it resulted that
Nolan's teeth and heels began to make
play, and Perry laughingly resigned his
position a her side, in order, as he ex.
pressed it, ito give you other fellows a
chance" Even then, "a he fell to the
rear, il vas with no thought or inten-
ton Of joining Mrs. Belknap. But, once
clear Of tie merry group, his eyes sought
the distan, outlines OF Dumraven Ranch,
glazing If the MONDAY sun beyond the
Monee, ami between him and that mys-
FERROUS Enclosure whittier his thoughts
were 50 constantly wandering there rode
the dainty lady, the Queen of the Chase,
so far as that day was concerned at
least, and she was signaling TO him with
her riding whip. Oddly enough, when
Perry rode up to obey her summons,
Mr.. Dana presently found means TO ex-
cuse hims, II and Join tine main body.
Mr.. Pc -ry," she said. as soon as Dana
was out Of hearing, Mrs. Page will be
with us 10 night, OF tomorrow morning
at latest"
viii she:' answered he, unconscious,
forgetful, and with an air of pleased an
ticipation. How pleasant for you! I'll
come and pay my respects the very first
thing"
You do not understand" was the re-
proachful response. You do not caro-,
Ipresume; but this means that YOU and
/ will have no more hong talks and hap
Ply times together.
I'm awfully sorry, Mrs. Belknap.
but Tn blessed if l can see why we
shouldn't"
No" despairingly, ''ii is plain enough
that you see nothing. All, well!"-and
the sigh was pathstic-profound and the
look from the dark eyes was unuttera-
ble in its sadness, Il suppose it is better
so-better So" She was silent mo-
ment, and Perry's puzzled faculties took
refuge in a long look over toward Dun
raven again: he fanciel he saw figures
moving down the slope on the southern
side.
lone thing l want you to promise
me-" she PRESENTLY said. sad and soft
and low. There was no reply. Looking
up. she saw his head was averted. Was
he feeling the sting. then. after all? Was
he actually suffering a little pang after
this affectation of nonchalance?
lone thin you must promise, for INV
sake" she repeated.
And still no answer came How odd,
He was ber ding over in the saddle as
though turn ng from her. perhaps TO hide
his face from her and from them all. He
had shifted he reins into his right hand,
and was apparently fumbling at the
breast Of his riding coat with the left.
Was it the handkerchief he needed:
Were there starting tears in those blue
eyes that he dared not let her see? She
could not lose that luxury! Out went
the little hard and touched his arm Her
tone was sweet, thrilling, appealing, yet
commanding; she would see his face.
''Mr. PerrT-Ned! Look at me-"
"Ehi oh! What! / beg your pardon,
Mrs Belknap. but 1 was trying to make
out who thai was in the timber yonder.
Looks-look3 almost like a woman on
horseback, doesn't ity'
But when he appealed to her for con-
firmation of his timid, half credulous
vision he was aghast at the look in her
face.
You were not listening! You were
not even thinking Of what was saying
she began, her white teeth set, her soft
lips livid with wrath; but she suddenly
controlled hsrself-none too soon, for
Dana came trotting up.
Say, Perry, what do you make that
out to Ice down there in the valley: Col.
Brainard anC feel sure it's lady on
horseback"
And, looking at Perry, Mrs. Belknap
saw that he Lad flushed to the very tenn
ples-that al eager. joyous light had
sprung to his eyes; but before she could
say word there came shout from the
huntsman, yell from the leading line, a
simultaneous yelp from the ours and
mongrels among the "irregulars," and
bar Il. L..