The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-02-19
CLINTON N. c., THURSDAY FEBRUARY 49, 1891


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 irnpatience 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 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 q 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
were a 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 Mrs.
Lawrence:
THAT was too much of straight ava,
for either of Us, Mrs. Lawrence; but what
wager shall we have on the first mask
after this?'
"Why. Mrs. Belknapl can never hope
20 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 in 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.
Certainly" he answered, quietly, and
looking her over with frank blue eyes
that were rather too clear and calm for
her mood. "lf Mrs. Lawrence will ex-
cuse me a few moments by and by, it
will be a 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. II do not
borrow other women's escort If you
know no other way that ends it."
And then Mrs. Spragues 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
| yelping skirmish line along the 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 the finish, and in both
| she had left the other women far in rear
Then came third, and with it a revela-
| ton to one and all.
1t was almost noon, and from a point
we'll out on the prairie to the northeast
| of Dunraven the "field" was hunting
| slowly homeward, horses and hounds
F., pretty well tired out, and the riders
| quite content with their mornings sport.
| Up to this time Perry had been in con-
stant attendance upon Mrs. Lawrence,
and had made no effort to join Mrs. Bel
KNAPP. 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.
Sprague ranged alongside just then, and
| a general conversation ensued, in the
course of which Perry found himself, a
| trifle in the wav. 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 a number
| of riders were grouped about Mrs. Law
renee ct 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 a
chance" Even then, as he 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 the
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.
"Mr. 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,
forSetful, and with an air of pleased an
ticipation. "How pleasant for you! I'll
come and pay nay respects the very first
thing"
"You do not understand" was the re-
proachful response. "You do not care.
I presume; but this means that you and
| will have no more long talks and hap
py times together
"rm awfully sorry, Mrs. Belknap,
but I'm blessed if / can sea why we
shouldn't"
NO." despairingly, sit is plain enough
that you SEQ nothing. All, wellr'-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 I want you to promise
me-" she presently said, sad and soft
and low. There was no reply. Looking
up, she saw bis head was averted. Was
he feeling the sting. then, after all? Was
he actually suffering little pang after
this affectation of nonchalance?
"One thing you must promise, for my
sake" she repeated.
And still no answer came How odd!
he was beuding over in the saddle as
though turning from her, perhaps to hide
his face from her and from them all He
had shifted the reins into his right hand,
and was apparently fumbling at the
breast of his riding coat with the left
Was it the handkerchief he needed:
Were there starting tears ia those blue
eyes that he dared not let her see? She
could not lose that luxuryl Out went