The Forrest City times., 1891-12-04
Dark Darrell's Bride.
CHAPTER yL-coS1Ixrrn.

trait of the last of the Darrells, How long shc could have gazcd on that remark. able ceuntenancc, if 1t had been possible to do sol She noted the vacant space beside It, and wondered fl 1t would ever be occt,. pied by the picture cf Philip Darrel's wife, or that ef stranger. Rose had told her that the next heir claimed through the fe. male line, which branched off ia the reign or Henry VIII, and thus escaped the curse, which fell only on the descendants or Sir fngelhard. Could Sir Philip Dar- rell endure the thought of a stranger reigning at the Court, of alien faces on the panels which should reflect the dark beau. V of the Darrell'sf lima who knew % little, could not bear to think of it. She could not keep back the tears, nor speak tor the choking sensation in her throat; she was obliged to turn abruptly from her companion and walk away.
 Sir Philip stood still, folding his arms tightly on his breast, and looked after her, but he did not stir step to follow her, His face was deathly white, his heart was beating heavily; his eyes glowed with . look almost Of defiance, as though he dared some invisible power, either from without or the voice of conscience. But, when II. na came back to him, he had regained self. command, and smiled and asked where sho would like to go now, as though she had done nothing that could have been no. ticed.
 "Suppose," he added "we do something brighter, and do some moro pictures after luncheon, if you wish 1t; these family his. tories have driven all the brightness from your face. Will you come to the stables and choose your horse'e
 "Yes, thanks. should like that.s
 "This way then, There is \ postern close by, which will lead us by short cut to the stables.'
 They descended q few flights of stairs, and passed through some mysterious pas cages; then Sir Philip Darrell opened . postern, and the sunlight blazed full upon them. After going through some shrub berries, the stables were reached.
 "why," said lima, looking round the immense range of buildings, "you might stable . regiment here, Sir Philipp
 "Ay, and more than . regiment has been stabled in old timest and in my fathers time, and always till mine; all those stalls' -pointing to long range of stables evil dentiy disused-"were full of hunters, and thsre"-indicating another building-"my grandfather kept his racing-stud. It was the finest stud in the North in those days; but my father sold 1t; he did not pat ronize the turf. The hunters were dis persed during nay minority, and I never filled their places. Poor old Marsh, the head groom, raves at me and calls me names because I don't hunt. Bah. I would as lief shoot a fox as run him to earth; but when l said that to Marsh once .l. tt ..f n..tk kA. is Marsh"
 Up came the old groom. He ssluted his lord, aud paid his respects to lima in the broad dialect of Cumberland. The stables were not what they used to be, he told her Marsh was A very old servant, and said pretty we'll what he pleased=but there were some beautiful horses in them yet.-- As they went towards the stable where the animals were from among which lima was to choose, the old man glanced several times from beneath his shaggy brows at H. ma and wondered who she was, and wheth- CT his lord had taken fancy to her. Marsh hoped he had; for Sir Philip ought to marry and keep up the line, he consid- cred, whether he loved his wife or not.
 "Now Ilma,' said Sir Philip, as they en- tered the stable, the doors of which Marsh
 
 mend Zuleika. She needs A skilled hand, for she is full of spirit, but she is as gem tie as lamb; and her pedigree is unim- peachabtc. Her dam was thoroughbred Arab"
 "Yes," put in old Marsh, "she's the beauty, Sir Philip, if the young lady's frst-rate rider; and take it she is, or you wouldn't put her on Zuleika."
 stRut sufd lima Mnrsh aut he mare's box to lead her out, "I would rAth. CT have one that is less of favorite, Sir Philip. If by any chance Zuleika came to mischief-''
 "She could not in your hands, lima; and she is as sure-footed as a mule, like all her race."
 Zuleika was brought out, and lima clasped her hands with almost cry of Sd- nirstien, for the mare was like picture; che was . deep bay in color, with . bril- lisntly glossy coat, and having the superb lines and soft dark eyes of a true Arab She tossed her head and paved the ground with coquettish grace; but Ilma's tender touch and caresses made her instantly willing slave; and she stood almost still, only responding to the fondling she receiv- cd, xs Hassan had done, and following H. ma when she moved few steps, and lay ing her nose on the girl's shoulder.
 ssShe acts," cried old Marsh, "as if she knew you was beautiful creature like herself, missy, and you were sure to love her."
 lima colored and laughed, and turned to Sir Philip.
 ooh, Sir Philip" sbe said, "thsrs can. net be another horse such beauty, except IT 10 l. af tA lat mount her."
 ..She goes like the wind," interposed Marsh, "sud she's as knowing @ Hasssn himself, or q Christian. You ask her if she'd like an apple"
 lima obeyed, and the mare laid back her delicate ears, whinnied, and pushed her nose coaxingly into the girls white hand, old Marsh enjoying the exhibition 
 "Hold hard, missy" he said, "and I'll fetch some apples for ye;" and oh went the old man.
 "It is a case of love at first sight on both sides, I think" remarked Sir Philip, smil- ing. "Zuleika seems to have made her choice. What say you, 'child Of gentle ness'?"--aying his hand on her flowing mane. ssWill you change your quarters! Yes: Then will you, Ilms, ratify the choice?"
 The girl looked at him wonderingly, coloring deeply. Could he mean what his words and manner seemed to imply'
 "Yes," she replied doubtfully, ignoring enc part of his speech, .I shall like to ride her very much, Sir Philip"
 "You have told me that; but I think you understand me only you arc afraid to admit it, for fear of a mistake. Will you not accept Zuleika:"
 "No, no-oh, now cried the girl recoil- ing. "I could not-indeed I could not,