Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-01-21

10 her deep chagrlns Merton Rae
soon discovered that her hunter could
not keep up to the pace. and that she
must gradually fall behind She was by
far too sweet-tempered to fume or rhafe.
and as one by one the riders slid past
her, she pulled out Of the course, mounted
a little hill, and watched through her
field glass what direction the fox was
taking. Suddenly her face frightened,
and she swept onward in a new irec-
tion; the fox bad doubled on his pur-
suers, and was twisting In and out
among the bushes, and by taking a cross
cut she could fall in with her friends
again.
AS she emerged from a copse she saw
Richard Accrington on height not far
from her, coOliy watching the. hunt
through his glass as she had done before
him She pursued her way without at
tracing his attention; that brief inter
view she had held with him had de
stroyed forever all chance OF uncon-
strained intercourse between them. and
the broad hints of her hostess, the
duchess, that she intended TO make q
match OF them, effectualy kept them
a art except when under her autocratie
eye, when they played at cordialitY in
self-defense.
But that quick eye of Aecrington's
had noted the solitary rider long ago,
anu sAc Adu uOl eOlE lar huGu ne dule
lightly swinging over the cradle hills to
her side, with a word OF gentle concil-
iation in his greeting.
She cOu not help admiring his fine
appearance in the brill ant uniform Of
the hunt, as he IN. naged his fiery hunter
with consummate skill, controlling its
impatient efforts to break away and
join in the mad race over hedge and
ditch, with turn of the firm right hand
"a Vuh q. ~
quite engro sed with the lady beside
him. Having drawn from her the reason
OF her tagging behind. and condoled
with her on her disappointment he
promised to stay by her until she had
found more desirable company.
-Or until you find your golden-tresssd
A iadne," retorted she. Ia ighing and
blushing superb Y. for she entire.y be-
lieved in what he had asserted concern
ing AuberOn's preference for another
than LOveday-fOr herself. she trem-
blingly hoped.
He looked sad and depressed
Il fear 1 an not to have that happi-
nes' to-day" sa d he, unless you. my
kind ally. help me TO it. L see indica-
lions Of interference, robably by that
immO tai. the CarisbroOke. who has
long outllved the sy pathies of hu
manity. I believe Miss Deliamere has
been specially placed under guardian
ship for the day. l can percei e no OF er
reas for young Crecy's close attend
ance.
The insinuation dropped Ike honey
into MerriOn's hurt She had ndered
somewhat shamedly that Auberon had
lowed her to fail behind alone.
That was the exp anatiOn, the good,
laundering old durh IS had in some man
ner contriyed IL that Loveday should be
placed in AuberOn's special charge, so
that AccrlngUOn should be forced TO as
sO-iate with herself Her proud heart
ewelled with wrath, she would not be
thrown at any mans feet sol
She was quite ready to respond in the
right spirit when AccringtOn entreated
her to give him h aid in winning Love
day for his com anton or a short time
The idea OF thrusting herself upon Au-
boron was humiiating, still she might
manage TO libe ate LoVeday without
quite that, and at the worst, surely it
would not LIE unmaidenly TO claim his
attention for a little while, for LoYeday's
sake, and knowing that Auberon loved
herself.
She almost felt repaid for her consent,
when Accrlngton took her hand with a
lingering pressure. looking down at her
with deep glow in his eyes that showed
how moved he was
The pair halted on the crest of a rocky
ridge which commanded view of both
va leys.
The swift flight of the fox had thinned
off the throag until only the crack hunt
ers W re in sight. spreading far and
wide, each following as best he m ght
the course of the hounds, which stream d
along the grass land in full view of the
game, @like the white trail of a plume. n
in hunting parlance.
A pair of riders diyerged from the
came lightly amb ing toward them.
They all met on the edge of q wooded
glade, and stopped
Loveday was in high spirits, Auberon
quiet and resOlute- looking.
SYou won't be in at the death then?S
said Merr on Rae. wonder ngly. To win
~the brush" was a ~ desirable tri-
umph in her eyes, and Lovedays barb
was quite equal TO il
Loveday made a cOmical grimace,
whisper it low; I've never been in at
the death yet, and don't mean to be, &"
said she. @rhe meet is picturesque,
the chase is glorious, and stirs up every
heroic particle in the blood; but the
finish is so piteOus that it would make
me cry. 1 loathe such sport as ooking
on while a painting, helpless little brute
gives up its life 10 a score OF enemies,
after running its cleVerest, and an I'd
ing them hours OF exhilarating pleasure.
That is hrresy. knOwl" sh add d, ook-
down timidly under the ard Mt gaz OF
Acerington. who had skillfully edged in
between her and the other two, with
meaning look for Merton
He answered suitably. handing Love
day his glass meanwhile to view the
lie d; and Merton drew AuberoE's at
tention entirely 10 herself, by drop
ping b T whip with an ejacu.a-
ton of dismay. Auberon was on the
ground Immediately: he handed her the
eweled toy. and was about to mount
again when she said, caprieiOusly:
~Lon't let US follow the hunt any fur
Their. since LOyeday does not care for it;
1 should like to tread on this We vety
moss with my own feet-your shoulder
please p An lightly Gaming one hand on
Aube on she lit like bird on the ground
by his side and wi a word OF warning
10 her horse, ran TO the moss bank
nearest, and KIN IL before it in ecstasies-
AuberOn glanced round TO see how
Accrington was employed Aceri gton
was employed in pouring a swift whisper
into owe !ay's ear
She turhe her bright face. ali its glee
and ioyance blanehed out OF IL, and
looked earnest = at AuberOn, with sor-
rowful widening Of the eyes; then she
frightened her reins, and next moment
she and AccringtOn were riding away
side by side, Aecring ton throwing back
the care essly spoken words. "A fair ex-
change is no robbery, Mr. Crecy; You
have mOnopOlized my lady and I shall
carry OF yours
q Oveday!S called Auberon, smazedly.
She turned In her saddle, fo-eing an
arch smile
4 shall be at home long before you
willis said she, and van shed among the
trees
Some. dear Miss Rae, let me lift You
TO your "a de- said Auberon. looking