The Dickinson press., 1890-01-25

was nothing in that interview which
could possibly be criticised, but it sud-
denly occurred to him that on tho con-
trary there was a good deal. Then he
desired to assure the captain that, so far
as he was concerned, there wasn't a sus-
picion of wrong doing; but-heavens
and earth!-that was equivalent to say
ing the lady was doingall that was open
to remark, and nothing would ever in
duce him to "give away woman" as
lie would have expressed it. Perry stam-
mered and reddened all tho more, and
at last gave it up in despair, Stryker
sitting there the while with quiet grin
on his bronzed face and mechanically
slashing his boot legs with q riding
switch.
II think understand the situation,
Perry, and there's no great harm done.
Only, let the matter drop-so far rs the
doctor is concerned, mean; do not
presume to obtrudo advice upon you as
to anything else"
And, though he had meditated Il diff
ferent course, and had fully intended
hunting up Dana and sending him with
a note to call upon the doctor for an
"explanation," he was glad to have a
man of Stryker's standing cry halt All
the same he was sore incensed against
DIR. Quin-mainly because of tho jeaI-
GUS pain he suffered at the knowledge of
his being so welcomed by Gladys Matt
land when he saw fit to visit the ranch;
and this pain gnawed all the moro an
grily now at thought of tho embar-
rassing-even uspicious-situation in
which that very man had found him on
the previous evening. Pressing duties
and hurried preparations kept him from
brooding too much upon these sore
points, but the youngsters all rallied
him upon his preoccupation whilo at
their merry breakfast table. He had re-
solved that there was one thing he could
and would bring to an issue with DR..
Quin, and was all impatienco for the
coming of evening, that he 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 a hunt SO utterly Indifferent
to the fortunes of tho day, so eager to
have it all over and done with. And
yet-and yet-never had there opened
to him 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
wcrea mile from Rossitcr land the hounds
tumbled over him nearly a league away
down tho valley of the Moncc. 1t was
while they were watering their horses in
the stream that Mrs. Belknap rode up be-
side them and laughingly addressed Mrs.
IIlwrence:
"That was toomuch of astraight away
fer either fus, Mrs. Lawrence; but what
wager shall wo have on the first mask
after this?'
"Why, Mrs. Belknapl lean never hopo
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 Sin 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 SEQ anything Of you
today!" she almost whispered to him, as
her stirrup brushed his riding boot.
Certainly" he answered, quietly, and
looking her over with frank blue eyes
that wero rather too clear and calm for
her mood. 'If Mrs. Lawrence will ex-
cuse me few moments by and by, it
will be a pleasure to como and ride with
you. I'll ask her."
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toned reply, while the dark eyes fairly
snapped with indignation. ~ 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 tho "deld" rode out upon the
prairie again and the dogs spread their
yelping sl5irmish line along tho front,
Mrs. Belknap 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 to her self satisfaction, for in one
of them she was side by side with the
foremost rider at tho finish, and in both
she had left tho other women far in rear
Then came third, and with it revela-
tion to ono and all.
1t was almost noon, and from point
well out on the prairie to the northeast
of Dunraven the "ield" was hunting
slowly homeward, horses and hounds
pretty well tired out, and the riders
quite content with their mornings sport
Up to this timo Perry had been in con-
slant attendance upon Mrs. Lawrence,
and had made no effort to join Mrs. Bel
knap. Now, however, he could not but
see that every little while her eyes
sought his with significant glance and
that she was riding we'll out to the left
of the party, Dana faithfully lowering
about her. The colonel with Mrs.
Sprague ranged alongside just then, and
general conversation ensued, in the
course of which Perry found himself n
triae in 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; and, as number
of riders were grouped about Mrs. Law
rence at the moment, it resulted that
Nolan's teeth and heels began to make
play, and Perry laughingly resigned his
position at her side, in order, as he ex-
pressed it, "to give you other fellows q
chance" Even then, as ho fell to the
rear, it was with no 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 tho
Monee, and between him and that mys-
terious inclosure 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.
"0Ir. Perry" she said, as soon as Dana
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