The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-10-19
Katherine B1oQnt'S hove
BY The DutchesS.
OH lII-fCOntinucd

garden. she stopped to decorate her
hair and neck and belt with some
pieces Of brilliant scarlet geranium,
coming directly. almost Immediately
afterWalI. upon Sir Mark Wa,reune
IN all her new-founl brave.y.
For moment rhe young man was
silent, and could do nothing but stare
at her. SO beautiful Il vision did she
appear to him just then. with her
cleaning white neck and arms. and del
tcate laughing face. No matter how
old the dress might be, no matter how
ancient and out-of-datc, it suited her:
Its very antiquity only serving to show
her OFT more clearly in the mellow, soft
aning twilight as one of the very dain-
test, sweetest. fairest creatures that
ever adorned this earth. His fixed gaze
brought a faint blush to her soft
.leeks: she came hulTicdly forward ard
held ont her hand
ut is yon," she said, simply. but in
tone of unmistakable welcome He
took her hand aud neld it fast. but
still made no answer, being fully occtI-
riG, in trying to account for the altera-
don il: her appearance. Presently, hay
ing submitted to his scrutiny very
quietly for a few moments. she spoke
again. half coluettishly, half confusedly
this time
Have yau nothing to say to me-"
Yes. l have plenty" Warrenne an
s"erod. still puzzled. but drawing him
self up as though to shake off, or at
least loosen, the spell that was closing
/, round him, '.hut somehow tonight you
are Il little different I fancy-you are
changed. OH with relieved look
and feeling of inspiration, you have
new dress on, have you not?"
NO, haven't" Katherine exclaimed,
with a merry. ringing laugh; lit is as
old as the hills, and has. am afraid.
frightened you. am going down to
the off-paddock to see the new colt"
she answered, land you may come
with me If you like" After which gra-
ciOus permission OH the part of the ma-
jestic little lady they sauntered along
together through the soft yelvety grass.
On one side Of them rose Il tall. quick
set hedge, which effeetually shielded
from their view a narrow gravelled
path that wound its secluded way di-
rectly to the house, AMI from which.
about hundred yards further on. one
had access by a rustic stila ip a breach
In the hedge into the field where they
now were When they had come TO
within about fifty PAGES Of this stile.
Miss Blount stopped suddenly. and
glanced up at her companion with Il
half-amused smile.
What is it," he asked.
MY SHOE" she answered. 1T has
come undone: the string is loose. and
II l go another step it will certainly
come off altogether"
LET me fasten it for you.' Sir Mark
proposed gravely. and Miss Blount
having murmured that he was very
good" he forthwith bent down on his
knees and took her beautiful little foot
almost revercntly In his hand.
It so happened that just ut this mo-
ment. as i'll luck would have it. Black
wood Craven was returning by the
small grayelled walk from seeing after
his uncle's business. and as he stepped
on the stile. preparatory to entering the
field, with the fond hope in his heart,
poor fellow. that he should somewhere
near the garden meet his cousin. Kath-
crime, the following tableau met his
eyes.
Sir Mark Warren le was kneeinc on
the grass, his fair. handsome head bent
over Miss Blount's foot as 1t rested
on his knee. while she was steadying
herself comfortably by leaning her
hand on the STOPPING baronet's shoul-
der. The shoe took Il very long-in
fact. remarkably longtime to fasten.
Either Sir Mark was unused to such
tasks (as most probably he was) and
therefore was awkward in accomplish
ing it. or else he found his occupation
the most agreeable he had ever under
taken, and wished to linger over it.
Who shall decide?
Certain It is however. that two whole
minutes elapsed before II was consid-
cred safe for Miss Blount to place her
foot upon the ground once more, and
when at length 1t was pronounced
ready. Sir Mark, as though unwi!lin.
to part with 1t without rendering it
homage, bent down and pressed his
lips most fervcntly to the dainty stock
ing that covered the high-arched in
step.
Miss Rlonnt first frowned at this lit
tie act on the young mans part. after
which she smiled and murmured de-
mure little "Thank you." and then
Blaclswood Craven, with groan that
was l.alf curse, dropped down from
the stile whereon he had been sittin.
quite unobserved by the other two. and
advanced rapidly to meet them. The
passionate pride OF his nature stood
hin. in good stead here. blanching his
whole face. certainly. but leaving his
smile as unembarrassed and pleasant
as usual.
Good evening. Warrenne." he said.
carelcSsly. holding out his hand. Il
fancied somehow all day that you
would be down this evening. want
10 speak to you by-anl-by about that
pointer Of yours. Going to see the
Duke Katherine? / hurried back as
quickly rs | could to accompany you.
but now you have Sir Mark it doesn't
matter, and It happens very well. rs