Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-16
HALL MARKED"

81 don't see that you need take it so much
co heart, Miss Erringtonl Brothers are not
much good, after all. For my own part, l
never look near my sister when she comes
out hunting Indeed, | only think it a
nuisance that she is there at all. But We'll
all look after you. You may follow me If
you like"
The all conquering air of the tall good
looking man who comedies this supreme
favor to the pretty girl standing beside
him is almost excusable Nature has in
deed been kind to Captain Jack Lester, for
Pandoras box can hardly hold better
prize in the eyes of most men with Anglo
Saxon blood in their veins than the ALSO
lutte distinction he has won at every sport
he has turned his hand to.
To say he was a good man across country
was understanding the case; his reputa-
ton was almost European, and people who
had never set eyes on him talked about
Jack Lester as if he were public char
acter His light, active, well proportional
FRAME his keen eye, his quick intelligence,
and happy mixture Of discretion and dar
ing, put him in the foremost rank; while
most satisfactory balance at his bankers
helped to keep him there He rode, on
principle, the best horses that money could
buy; he did well for himself, and withal
was enough of a good fellow for all men to
speak well Of him. The girl to whom he
now addresses his conversation, and who,
in the smartcst Of habits, Is warming her
pretty hands at the huge fire, built half
way up the chimney in the dining room
at Moreby Hall, is Miss Cissy Errington.
The rest of the party are already hard at
work at breakfa but these two still
loiter and talk together, and discuss the in
iquity of Miss Cissy's brother in throwing
her over and going up to town for the day,
instead of plotting his sister over big
places" in Blankshire. They have kind
of look Of each other, as they stand there
side by side, inasmuch as both are fair,
slim and well favored. They both have
faces that are passport TO the good will
of their fellowmen. The girl, indeed, with
her complexion Of lilies and roses, dark
blue eyes and ripping hair, is downright
lovely, and the severe lines of a we'll made
hunting habit do not detract from the
grace of her tall, slight figure.
"You had better get on with your break
fast, Miss Errington the wagonette will
be round in no time" says the master Of
the house abstractedly.
He is a man who hunts every day of the
week. and the morning half hour before
starting for the meet is all the time he has
to spare for the mere secondary affairs OF
life unconnected with sport. There is now
a huge breakfast to be finished, telegram
to be answered, two letters to be written
and glance to be given to the morning
paper, before it is time to be off AT More
by Hall hunting is the business of life, ano
all the ladies are in habits and the men In
red coats.
Miss Cissy comes to the breakfast table
and Captain Lester also, but it is LITTLE
man with a square, honest face, and
square, somewhat awkward figure, whC
brings Miss Errington her omelet and ne
coffee, and Tags for her in general Sh'
sits between him and Captain Lester, bu
though Mr.. Topham evidently is her slav
she has no eyes for any one but her goo'
looking right hand neighbor.
Their relative positions are the same II
the wagonette which conveys the Moreb
hall party to the meet, for Miss Erringto
contrives to sit next to Captain Lester, an
Mr.. Topham is equally determined to 81
next to her.
"What are you going to ride, Miss III
ringtonS'' he asks anxiously. lie reall
wants to know, for he does not approve {
one OF two Of her mounts at all.
'Its Conversations turn to-day" she n
plies; "the chestnut horse, you know"
ooh, yes; know very well, ;" he answer
81 don't call him a ladies horse at al, Mi'
Errington, and have already told you
brother my opinion about him. Easy
ridel Yes, | know he is, and fast, and
good Jumper, but an uncertain brute. A
the Chit Chats are, and don't believe in
mealy chestnut"
How unkind you are, Mr.. Tophami
says Miss Errington, half in fun and ha
i'm earnest, ITO abuse my favorite hunte
You think him a good horse, don't yo
Captain Lester2" turning TO him for col
ISOLATION.
Good horseP" OF course do" return
Jack Lester carelessly. Don't listen
old 'Tops;' he's a regular old croake
You could ride for your life on lin"
"There now, you seeP says Miss Ciss
turning triumphantly to Mr. Topham,
II she considered that Captain Lester
opinion must be law.
"Tops" looks slightly annoyed, but do
mot pnrsue the subject He knows tn
his opinion on horsehesh is to the full
good as Jack sester's, as well as he kno'
that he is as hard man across the cou
try as the other, and that II would Ia
unite as big a place to stop him wh
hounds we're running. But he also kno'
that be has short, round legs, which q
him somewhat OF 'washball' seat on
horse and that a want of swagger a
smartness would prevent him ever havl
brilliant reputation like the other.
II is Tops" however, and not Capt.
Lester, who puts Miss Errington on
horse at the meet for the chestnut
idgety, and Jack Lester has no idea
having his feathers spotted or his boz
dirtied on the muddy road He sim
disappears. Self preservation Is the fl
Law of his nature and he thinks M
Erringtcn is sufficiently honored when
gives her leave for the second time
follow him as soon as the bounds find.
George Topham would give his eyes
lie her pilot, but he has no chance al
this. Miss Errington keeps Captain Les
steadily in view while they are drawi
narrower covert, and when the hounds
seen streaming away from one corner
the wood, and Jack Lester, thrusting
hat firmly on his head, jumps tolera
stiff hedge almost ut standstill TO
out of the road the next to follow hin
Miss Cissy on her chestnut.
IL must be owned that neither by Il
nor word does he give her much encoura
mept to do So He is simply obvieui
everything but the business on hand;