The Globe-republican., 1892-01-21
CRU
-=AS=
THE CRAVE,
The Secret of DunraVen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author Of Faithful Margaret" Etc, Etc
CHAPTER XIII.-COntinued.

it. Her heart swelled bitterly: it was
hard TO find herself in Auberon's way
to see that all this vest, loving intimacy
was but a lovers ruse TO bring Miss Rae
10 terms!
She followed Accrington's guidance
without a.doubt: she felt as if she could
never meet Auberon again.
Accrington knew every foot of the To-
cality; five years ago he had spent many
q day with his sporting companions
beating those glades for game
He did not at once disturb the painful
reverie Of his companion. but 20 ad-
vantage Of her preoccupation to lead
her so many turns and twists that when
at length she looked round, she felt COM
pleteiy at fault. AccrinSton confidently
assured her that they were on the route
for home, and drew her into a converse
ton with sIch tact that she gradually
yielded herself to his influence, and
listened, responded, and became inter-
ested, while time few, and the miles
stretched behind them.
Never had Richard Accrington exert
ed himself so earnestly: he was talking
against time, and each half hour they
fingered together-each mile they left
behind them-was another link to the
Miss DelIamere!
He wooed her thoughts far from her
self and her present surroundings, to
follow him from land to land where he
had been; when marvels might begin to
pail upon her, he caught her
anew with a pathetic version Of
his own history, specially adapted
to attract her tender and innocent
sympathies; she lent herself to his
charm willingly. for her own thoughts
were very.bitter, and escape from them
was welcome.
They reached the margin of a wide
moor; not another human being was
visible on all the broad expanse, OILY
the bleak October sky lowered over it,
and q low wind moancd across the
heather.
Loveday looked around her with a
shiver.
81 don't in the least know where we
are," said she, blankly; "are you quite
sure that you do?"
Trust me, Miss Dellamere, you are
quite SAFE" said Accrington, with a
frank smile which almost treasured her:
no! don't look at your watch. / entreat
you: let me take all care Of you for this
once: give me the delight Of seeing that
YOU have perfect faith in me-"
"You treat tho matter more seriously
than it deserves" replied Loyeday,
somewhat startled; but she had no mo-
tive strong enough to bid her cross his
mood. and slipped back her watch with
out glancing at it. However, as they
crossed the moor, the only beings visible
upon it, and her wandering eyes encoun-
tered not one fami lar landmark, she be-
gan to own secret uneaSinesS, and to
chiGe herself for having left her friends
so far behind as to be committed to
such prolonged tete-a tete with the
Co-snel.
Accrincton, observing the turn OF her
thoughts, gradually Q lowed the CONVEX
sation to flag, and appeared to share her
gravity, often turning in his saddle to
watch The action OF her mare for min
ute at time: and, indeed, she began to
notice herself that both the animals
seemed spent, and dropped their heads
wea lily
At last Accr;ngton said, with visibiy
assumed lightncSS:
-Will you allow me to have look at
YOUR mares hind shoe? To me she
seems to vince ut every step"
A chill misgiying swept over Loveday,
sudden shocked realization OF her
thoughtleSs imprudence. Without a
word she drew rein and dropped lightly
10 the ground without waiting for assist
anCc.
Il begin to fear that it is later. and
that we are farther from home than We
imagine" said she anX.ouSly, and again
drew out her watch. One glance, and a
cry of diSmav burst from her-it was
hours past the timc when the hunters
were expected to reaSSembie at DOri-
mant Bewidered, angered. and dis
;rustful, she moved apart from her COM
ranion, without needing his exclama-
tions of surprise; she felt as if his prox-
unity stitied her.
An ordinary admirer might have
suffered pang of sorrow or mortiiica-
tion at such a movement on his iady's
upon her, but the Colonel only glanced
after her with pecu lar smile, and bent
oyer Ahmed's hoof white he performed a
slight operation with dexterity worthy
OF q prestidigitator He laid down the
hoof with look of ominouS gloom.
Come, Miss Deliamere. courage" he
cried. with affected cheerfulneSS, "there
is nothing far wrong with Ahmed yet,
but We must deal gently with her. A
mere cut. which her shoe irritates; il We
can reach blacksmith in time. he can
shift the shoe and preserve the wound
from pain ul pressure. We cannot be
far from the village Of Blackjack. where
we sha find help"
Levedays crimsoning check and com
pressed lips showed her deep annoyance
as such an adventure; how heartily she
reDroached herself for the i'll timed d e
occupation CT mind which had placed
her in such an unwelcome situation, TX
be separated from the general company
was bad enough, even had her cavalier
been an old and trusted friend. approved
by her mother; but to be cast upon TIT
courtesies OF Richard Accrington fol
long hours-to exhibit h rself before tn
curious eyes of Blackjack with him To-
sole compani Twas modification sh'
could not endure.
IF we are near BlackrOck, we are no
FIVE miles from .home,' said she c0ldly
~and l would infinitely prefer wa KIM