Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-20

gIaring in the MONDAY sun beyond the
MoAes, and between him and that mys-
terioals inc2osure whittier his Thoughts
were 50 constantly wandering there rode
the dainty lady. tie Qaeen Of the Chase,
so far as that dsy was concerned .,
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 himself and JOIN the main body.
| "Mr. Perry she said. az soon as Dams
was out Of hearing, Mrs. Page viii be
with Us tonight, or tomorrow morning
| at latest"
| "Wiu she'" answered he, unconscious,
forgetful, and with an air Of pleased an
ticipatsou. 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 care,
| presume; but this means that you and
viii have no more long talks and hap
py times together"
"rm awfully sorry, Mrs. Belknap,
but I'm blessed If can see why we
shouldn't"
"No," despairingly, 81: is plain enough
that you see nothing. All, weli"-and
the sigh was pathetic-profound, and the
look from the dark eyes was unuttera-
BILE in its sadness, Il suppose it is better
so-better So" She was silent mo-
ment, and Perry's puzzled faculties took
refuge in long look over toward Dun
raven again: he fancied he saw figures
moving down the slope on the southern
side.
''One thing I 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 ali? Was
be actually suffering a little paug after
this affectation of nonchalance?
"One thing you must promise, for my
sake" she repeated.
And still no answer came. How odd.
He was bending over in the saddle as
though turning from her. perhaps 10 hide
his face from her and from them all. He
had shifted the reins into his right hand,
and was apparently fumb6ng 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 net her see? She
could not lose that luxury! Out went
the little hand and touched his arm. Her
tone was sweet, thrilling, appealing, yet
commanding; she would see his face.
"Mr. Perry-Ned! Look at me-"
"Ehl oh! What! L beg your pardon,
Mrs. Belknap, but was trying to make
out who that was in the timber yonder.
Looks-looks almost like a woman on
horseback, doesn't it,
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 listeningl 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 hersef-none too soon. for
Dana came trotting up.
''Say, Perry, what do you make that
out to be down there in the valley? Col
Erainard and feel sure it's lady on
horseback"
And, looking at Perry, Mrs. Belkna,
saw that he had flushed to the very tenn
ples-that an eager, joyous light had
sprung to his eyes; but before she could
say word there came a shout from the
huDtsman, q yell from the leading lne.s
simultaneous yelp from the ours and
mongrels among the ''irregulars," and
her horse leaped as the bit and went tear
ing off toward the Monee, foremost In
mad pursuit of wild careering "jack."
Gomez she called, as she glanced
over her shoulder; but the sight was one
that only added to her wrath. Nolan.
plunging and snorting, was held to the
spot, while his rider, sitting like cen
taur, was still eagerly gazing over into
the distant cottonwoods- The next in
slant she realized that all the field were
laundering at her heels. and the instinct
of the sportsman came to her aid. She
could not be beaten in the chase
For half q mile Bunny shot like streak
of light straight away southwestward,
the hounds punched in slaty, sweeping
cloud not thirty yards behind the bobbing |
tuft of his tail. Then he began long !
circle towards the stream, as though to |
head for "break" that extended some |
rods back from the line of bluffs Another !
minute and he had reached its partial |
shelter and darted in. For the next min !
ute he was lost to sight of his human |
psirsuers, but presently flashed into view |
again down in the creek bottom and |
"streaking it, up along the northern
bank, with the whole pack at his heels. /
The bluffs were steep just here. some Of |
the riders a trifie timid, and all the /
"heid" refined in n little as they made /
the descent; Dana, Mrs. Beiknap, Parke,
Mrs. Lawrence, Graham, the colonel and
Ms. Sprague Strengthened out for then
pursuit in the order named, the instant
they reached the Level OF the valley. The
hounds were far ahead by this time, and
the two light troopers in charge on them
close at their heels, bat who--~hat was
the figure that flashed into view between
those huntsnen and the field darst1g hike
arrow from the fringe Of Willows and
iashinx straight IN wake OF the quarry
Thirty yards ahead OF the foremost riders
Of the Rossiter party superb English
hunter, the bit in his teeth, hs ewes afire
and his head high IN arr, fyv.sh. vigorous,
raging with long imprisoned passion for
The sport OF the osd Island hou,e, gaining
N the boun<is at every stride, and defy-
ing Che utmost efforts a his rder, leaye-d