The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-03-15
A DARK SECRET.
The Story of a Tragic
Life Drama.
BY E. M. DAVY.
CHAPTER XIV.
IN A HUNTING cOrNTRY.

Sleep being entirely out of the ques-
ton, | was early astir, packed my port
manteau and joined Hawks at the break
fast table he imagining the while that [
merely meant to accompany him to the
station.
On my way upstairs TO excuse my de-
parture to George | encountered Mrs.
Armstrong. She appeared on the look
out for me.
The mistress has getten sick head
ache Gn does Ia wish TO be istorbed, -
she said.
But I'm going from home for three
days, Mrs. Armstrong"
"Weel, sor an that's ne news. She
te led me so hersen.
Ednt had done this-sEe had made the
way easy to me, God bless her.
can | neither see my wife nor Miss
LINTON, them?
N. le just Gamma"
The carriage was annou ced. and we
set Oft. Hawks, Loticin: my bag. asked
an explanation, and told linn l intended
going Is far a York, aiding, vaguely.
that | had heard CT q horse for sale there.
| deemed it wisest 10 make no mention of
Leieestershire even to Charlie.
On parting company at York his last
words were Il guess You'll not forge
ths tip / gave you last night, eh, old
cha PEE"
| ian he'd. said, All right, Charlie, I"
then set about making inquiries as to how
| coali best reach Whitmore Park. After
considerable delay | obtained the name
OF the nearest post town, and for that |
took my ticket; but found, on my arrival,
there was still a branch line TO travel be
fore | couli get any way ne..r my destin L
ton.
1t was clock ia the evening. and al
most dark, when, wearied and impatient
Wi h the long, slow journey. | alIghted at
n small Wayside stat on. With the excep-
tlon OF a fem le who got ont of n second
OF third class calrIa e, the rest Of the pas
sengers ent on.
How far is it to Wh;tmore Park Mr.
Hare caves place." | asked of the tick ct
collector before passing through the turn
s.ile.
VII tmorc Park is about three miles
off; but Mr.. Harglea : been dead these
two years nm more.
"Indee l.! VIII you inform me who lives
there now
Major O'Neil, sir
." Is he hunting man."
Hes n mas. er OF hounds, sir.
All. Mr.. Hrrgrcave usel to lie Did the
Major keep on the same huntsmen and
whips, | wonder?" | asked with studio
care lessness.
Not one on EN-. Major O'Neil brought
his own with him-all Irish, he said,
with some disdain-"eren to the stable
I oys.
Il wish l could have seen tie cd
hGrtsman, or some man who had been
in Nh Hargreavts tables, | said, mu-
siEgly.
~fla's easily done sir" he replied,
with animation. There's a good ian a
mile and half down yonder road kept by
Tom Little, the late masters hun;sman-
Little Tom h. used 10 be called in the
old Squire's time, an he's best known 10y
yosd be very comfortable there if you
happened to want a bed for the night
II 5 got GOOD stablng too
| thanked the man for his information
ami was about to push on in the direction
Indicated. when | saw him turn 10 recei, e
q ticket from female who, hitherto un-
observed, had probably overheard our
conversation. | looked NJ her and thel g
was yet Sufficient light to see She was a
little woman IN Il lgrse cloak and bon
net: that Sue wore spectarles, carried
a basket OF oranges and leaned on a
stick Then | set off at a swinging pace.
and never slackened II until reached the
inn.
Vt the open door stood a small. wirv
IL n, with weather. beaten. good hu-
morel face, who looked as though he
mIsht have been bonn and bred in stables.
Mine host. a>suredly- | ascertaiued that
| could tie put up for the night. and he
IT once inquired if | required stabling.
Ne; | had merely come on voyage OF
discovery, adding, as iusinuatingly as |
could.
To speak perfectly frankly. Little my
chief object Is TO have chat with Won.
! want You 10 tell me something about
the Majors kennel, and what sport he
/ has been showing. The fact is. | have
some thoughts of bringing my hunters
next season. That, however. Will depend
on Your report"
/ The ruse succeeded. | was at once in
Nltea into the hest parlor of the inn. and
while some supper was being prepared
Tor me. the eN- huntsman and | S It al on
/ rosIte sides of the cheerful, blazing fire.
both smoking, and l listening, with we'll.
assumed interest TO such information as
/ man anxious 10 hunt in that country
might be supposed to want.
Vt last. however. without. | believe
manltestlng any undue eagerness, | said
And now tell me something about the
old days. You'd rather speak of them, /
fancy
! III lot so sure l would. sir" he said
shaking his head. while cloud seemed
10 settle on his hitherto cheerful face.
+ There was that terrible catastrophe. You
see
{ And what was that
I Don't You know Didn't you hear o.
Il when II happened: Why, the whole
hunting world was ringing with it,
was odt Of the hunting world for a
time; that may account for my ignorance
! have only taken to ii again this season,
/ explained hurTiedly and somewhat
lalaely. Tell me the story. Do.
/ He laid his pipe down carefully. and
seemed preparing for long warn,
; he was JUS. the haudsomeSt girl Won
ever saw, Was Miss HargIsave. sly. ban
none Squire Harsreave had kept
/ hounds eN IT since coming to the proper
! ~. aud his daughter had been used 10 the
! saddle from baby but, VIXEN the ,oupa