The Dickinson press., 1894-02-17

" w. In
CHAPTER N-Continued.)
Her laugh had foatcd away on the
soft summer brceZe-swect and soft az
the rose leaves stirred by the wind, but
there was no smile on his face, and nc
mercy in his eyes,
IF cvcr he finds me, l am lost" she
said to herself. but lie will not; I am
safe enough. And if he finds me-thia
Is the nineteenth ccntury-hc will moi
harm me-"
sun snc was glad to pass v the
colu, handsome, cruel face.
"That was about the only mistake
ever made; l will forget it,"
She looked at many other faces, and
thcn came TO Il vacant space.
Here" she said to herself, with q
smile. Il will put Alan Branston, squire
of Elmsthorpc Grangc;' and then, with
a sigh. she put down the album, and
turned her attention to the dressing OF
her hair.
She had forgotten every graver con.
sidcratiol. and WAS wondering what
style would attract the squire most.
1t was a beautiful morning that fol
lowed. and at breakfast time Lady
Rosrlcnc proposed That her guests
should visit an old ruin called Elm,
lmls'--an ancient priory of which only
walls and windows remained. The
proposal was agreed to.
"Will you walk or drive. I%Tyacintl!"
asked Alan. whichever You prefer, /
will he your companion"
Then Lady Fraser spoke, her dark
eyes all bright her smile so brilliant
and sweet. Size turned licr graceful
head to Alan.
Il will tell you what would really be
a treat to me-" she said. II hear that
you ;ue Il capital horseman. Will YOU
ride with us-that is. with Miss Vune
and MYSELF"
Il do not like riding" put in Hya.
cinth, quietly.
The beautiful widow smiled.
The more you have of it the moro
you will like it," she said.
And Ifyacintll mentally hOpcd Alan
would refuse; she even felt aggrieved
that any II should offer to interrupt
their tete-a-tetes-Lalv ROsedcne never
did.
But Alan was flattcrcd. The voice
had not said much. but those bewich-
ing eyes said plainly that she admired
his riding and wished to ride with him.
How do you know I ride well?" he
asked: and she saw the pleasant i'm
preston her words had made on him.
"Some one told mel do not remem-
Der who it was" was the careless re-
ply; but 1 should like to see you put
to the test"
II will ride with you with pleasure"
he said. ."Hyacinth, you have your
habit here; you will not he long in
dressing. l know
Lady Fraser smiled Sweetly.
lis Miss Vane an adept at dressing
qnick]y!' she asked.
Miss Eane is perfection" laughed
the young squire; and Hyacinth went
away to dress, but not With her Usual
alacrity.
Why should Lady Fraser ,listd:b
the plans and go with them? lIya-
clntn Was not Il good rider, and rs an
equestrian WAS always more frightened
tlan pleased. Lady Fraser, on the con-
trary, was never seen to such advln.
tagc as On horseback.
The orc IIyacinth thought of the
plan proposed, the more she disliked it.
She had pictured herself by her lovers
side, walking through the green fields
lanes. stopping to gather tho haw-
thorn and look ut tho clover. She wrote
a little note, simply:
dearest Alan-DO alter the arrange
ments; / do not like riding. We re-
quire no %chaperOn. Some one else will
be pleased enough to ride with Lady
Fraser"
She never dreamed but that he would
eagerly meet her wish. To her intense
SUI prise, the answer that was returned
sail: :
"My Darltng.-hcw sorry I am. But
I have arranged so completely with
Lady Fraser that I cannot disappoint
her. She has asked me to show her the
various places Of interest in the neigh.
borhood; 1 cannot draw back now or
would. I will take great care of you,
my darling"
Her face flushed as she read the note
The first flame of jealousy rOss in hel
heart-thc flame that afterward became
SO fierce a fire. He had chosen tt
please Lady Fraser rather than her
she would not 80 ut all; they should
have the ride to themselves. When tht
guests were starting, she sent an apol
ogy-she would rather remain at home
and it was then too late to make fresl
arrangements.
Lady Fraser noted the darkenad lool
that came over Alan's face. He SHOULD
suffer for it in the days to come. He
eyes were full of sweetness, her voic,
was full Of music, when she said
Il am so sorry, Mr.. Branston-it 1
my fault that Miss yane is not here"
But she excrted herself SO we'll t,
please him that he could not help Gu
joying his ride. He came home smiling
while the beautiful widow was radiant
And that was the first cloud in IIya
cinth's sky.
G,RN 4 lnnlA NJ