Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-12-19
enthusiastic gratitude which she would have
expressed some hours earlier.
CHAPTER vi.

lively, just as some people know how to play
the piano and others know how to draw or
palnt. In all OF these arts there is, of course,
great deal which can only be acquired Ly In
struction; but in all there is something, too,
which can never be taught, and without
which proficiency in any one of them is abso-
lutely unattainable. Chris had had very little
equestrian tuition; but she had firm seat,
plenty OF nerve and a light hand all of which
gifts were duly recognized and admired by
Gerald Severne the first day that he went out
riding with her.
1t must not be supposed that 1t was in the
company OF Mr.. Severne alone that Chris was
exploring the moorlands which dominate
Bretnstow. Lady Barnstaple, unsuspicious
though she was, would never have counte-
nanced such proceeding as that; and .
couple Of hundred yards or so in the rear OF
this couple Lady Grace was entertaining an
elderly nobleman, who said he enjoyed a
gallop as much as anybody, but didn't see
the fun OF making yourself and your horse
not by pounding along at racing speed over
treacherous ground, like a cockney on
Hampstead Heath. Thus our heroine and
her cavalier were efficiently chaperoned, and
at the same time left entirely to their own
devices, which is a happy state of things
permitted by the conventionalities of this
country. and largely taken advantage of by
those to whom it applies.
These young people, who, after all, were
little more than a boy and a girl, had a half
mile race, which was won trtumphartly by
Chris, and which Gerald rode after fashion
which his hackers, If he had had any. would
perhaps have felt justified in inviting him to
explain. Then they drew rein and returned
at a foot's pace toward their companions,
who said it was time to 20 Eome, but who
did not interrupt their tote-a-tete for long,
Lady Grace, it is true, made a feeble attempt
toJoln her brother, and shift burden which
properly belonged to her on to the shoulders
OF her friend; but to such a change of part.
ners it is essential that there should be at
least two consenting parties, and Gerald was
SO quietly obstinate in his resistance that
there was nothing for it but to let him do as
he wished
I'm afraid Oracle has been having rather
slow afternoon" he remarked to Chris.
when they were once moro alone; "but it
can't be helped. Somebody must talk to that
old duffsr, and don't See why it should be
you or II
Il doubt whether it would interest him to
be talked to by me" said Chris; "but I am
sure he would be glad to hear all about
French politics from you. heard him say
ing at dinner last night that our relations
with France were in a far more dangerous
condition than is generally imagined
Ii that is the case I mustn't venture to
approach him. should be sure to let out
some state secret, and then I should get into
u terrible row. Thank you very much for
warning me-"
So this cautious young dipIomatist re-.
manned out of temptation's way. and pro-
longed for another quarter of an hour an in
tervlew in which neither caution nor diplo-
macy was conspicuously displayed. Chris
and he,having cantered Oh ahead had reached
the gates Of Brentstow when they descr1ed
a horseman advancing toward them across
10
terms with his mount, a gigantic chestnut.
who was plunging, rearing and bucking,
ana receiving in return a castigation as
heavy as heavy arm and whip could make
it. --''i-0
"Our friend, or rather your friend. Ella
combe'" remarked Gerald. SCI suppose he !
has been up to call, and is furnishing his
horse because nobody was at home"
Whatever may have been Mr.. Ellacombe's
motive for Furnishing his horse, he ceased
doing so the moment that he caught sight of
Chrls, and the chestnut at once ceased plun1.
ing. Sorry to have missed you, M IS Comp ,
Ton. he called out as soon as he was within
speaking distance. II thought you said you
were always in at five o'clock
II said you would generally find LADY
Barnstaple at home at that hour" answered
Chris.
"OhE grunted Mr.. Ellacombe, who looked
'ullen and dissatisfied. "Well, she isn't at
home to-day, anyhow" And then, after a
prolonged stare: Isn't that Gerald Severne2"
Gerald urbanely acknowledged his identity.
adding: "1t's a good many years since we
net last, and don't wonder at your not be-
ng sure OF me. knew you like shot; but
hen you are an Interchangeable sort of person
particularly in your style of riding. Your
elbow doesn't seem to have lost any of its
)ower."
Ellacombe threw him an angry glance
which he would probably have followed IN
~ an angry word or two if at this moment
lady Grace had not joined the group, at
ended by her mature cavalier. Lady Grace.
10 doubt, took in the situation at glance,
nd had her reasons for being polite to a man
whom she particular disliked; for she
reeted Mr.. Ellacombe quite cordially, and
legged him TO turn back and have CUP OF
ca with them, which invitation he at oncs
ccepted. ,
Tea isn't very much in your line il it.
lllacombe?' asked Gerald, with an innocent
ir.
CAS- much as it u in yours, dare say" re-
lrned the other, goowling at his interrogator '
minously. ,
Evidently the Two men were ready to quar- 7
oil upon the smallest provocation, Thew I
Tent on sparriDg together all the way bacx I
the house, and continued doing so after 6
le whole party had dismounted and had :
AOOPON ACSOlA AOuuu Guo Lod"CdDl0 on The lawn.
lille the cause OF their strife remained neu- !
al and indifferent, being less interested in
ther of them than in making Peter elm uD i
n to her shoulder and take a biscuit off her c
at, an accomplishment which he had lately q
cquired and of which he was pardonably i
roud.
After time Lady Barnstaple returned from =
er drive, and getting out of the carriage : :
ame forward to welcome her neighbor, which i.
10 did with unusual warmth. She would t
srnaps have pleased him little better If she ?
nd not addressed him as ''Mr. Widdicombe:" g
ut one can't be expected to remember the 8
Iact name of a man to whom one has not p
'oken for three or four years, and but for y
lat trlning slip, her ladyship's graciousness \
olld have left nothing to be desired.
Ellacombe rode away at length, with a a
rong and perfectly correct impression that
% Brentstow people wished to cultivate him;
Id as soon as he had departed Gerald ex- q
aimed, rather irritably
"My dear mother, what possessed YOU to
SO civil to that oaf2"