Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-07-03

points, Out tue yOuu5oCSAS jill '"AAASN
him upon his preoccupation while at
their merry breakfast table. He had re-
solved that there was one thing he could
and would bring to an issue with DIR.
0uin, and was all impotence for the
coming of evening, that lie might hear
from the lips of Capt. Lawrence the act
ual stories that had been in circulation
concerning Dunraven Ranch. He never
went out to hunt so utterly Indifferent
to the fortunes of the day, SO eager to
have it all over and done with. And
yet-and yet-never had there opened
to him a day so radiant with glorious
possibility; never before in all his young
life had nightfall proved so unwelcome
when it finally came.
The first rabbit was started before they
we're mile from Rossiter, and the hounds
tumbled over him nearly league away
down the valley of the Monee. 1t was
while they were watering their horses in
the stream that Mrs. Belknap rode up be
side them and laughingly addressed airs
Lawrence:
THAT was too much of straight ava!
for either of US, Mrs. Lawrence: hat what
wager shall we have on the first mash
after this?"
"Why, Mrs. Belknap! can never hope
to rival you. 1t was mere accident and
good guiding on the part Of some Of the
officers who were kind enough to stay by
me, that enabled me to be lin at the death
the other day"
"You have Mr. Perry to lead you today.
Surely with such guide you ought to be
inspired. Am to see anything of you
today" she almost whispered to him, as
her stirrup brushed his riding boot.
"Cestainly," he answered, quietly, and
looking her 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, it
will be pleasure to come and ride with
you. I'll ask her."
Indeed you shall not" was the low
toned reply, while the dark eyes fairly
snapped with indignation. 81 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
splashing 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
velping skirmish line along the front,
Mrs. Belknap felt confident that before
thew returned to Rossiter she would have
her big. simple hearted admirer in some
shape for discipline. Two capital runs
added to her self satisfaction, for in one
of them she was side by side with the
foremost rider at the finish, and in both
she had left the other women far in rear.
Then came n third, and with it a revela-
ton to one and all.
1t was almost noon, and from point
well out on the prairie to the northeast
of Dunraven the "field" was hunting
slowly homeward, horses and hounds
pretty well tired out, and the riders
quite content with their morning. sport.
Up to this time Perry hal been in col
slant attendance upon Mrs. Lawrence.
and had made no effort to join Mrs. Bel
knaD Now. however, he could not but
see that every little while her eyes
sought his with significant glance and
that she was riding well out to the left
of the party, Dana faithfully lowering
about her The colonel with Mrs.
Spraguc ranged alongside just then, and
a general conversation ensued, in the
course of which Perry found himself a
trille IL the way. If there was one thing
fastidious Nolan did not like, it was to
be crowded By horses for whom he had
no particular respect; AM, as n number
OF riders were grouped about Mrs. Law
renee at the moment. it resulted that
Nolau's teeth and heels began to make
play, and Perry laughingly resigned his
position at her side. in order, as he e:l-
pressed it, 'to give YOU other fellows a
chance" Even then, rs he fell to the
rear, it was with 10 thought or inten-
ton of joining Mrs. Belknap. But, once
clear of the merry group, his eyes sought
the distant outlines of Dunraven Ranch,
glaring in the monday sun beyond the
Monee, and between him and that mys-
FERROUS Enclosure whittier his thoughts
were so 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 himself and join the main body.
"Nlr. Perry" she said, as soon as Dana
was out of hearing, Mrs. Page will be
with us tonight, or tomorrow morning
at latest"
''Will 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 care,
presume; but this means that you and
1 will have no more long talks and hap
py times together"
"Tm awfully sorry, Mrs. Belknap,
but I'm blessed if can see why we
shouldn't"
"No," despairingly, sit is plain enough
that you SEQ nothing. All, well!''-and
the sigh was pathetic-profound, and the
look from the dark eyes was unuttera-
BILE in its sadness, 81 suppose it is better
so-better So" She was silent a 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.
Zone thing 1 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 alp Was
he actually suffering q little Dang afteI