The Dickinson press., 1895-03-16

SWere0, still HuZZleu, u urslWinS HILL.
self up rs though to shake off, OF at
least loosen, the spell that was closing
round him, "but somehow tonight you
are a little different. 1 fancy-you are
changed. Oh" with n relieved look
and a feeling Of inspiration, you have
new dress on, have YOU not?'
"No, I haven't" Katherine exclaimed.
with Il merry, ringing laugh; lit is as
old as the hills, and has, I am afraid,
frightened You. I am going down to
the off-paddock to see the new colt"
she answered. 'and you may come
with me If you like" After which gra-
cious permission OH the part OF the ma
jcstic little lady they sauntered along
together through the soft vclvety grass.
On one side Of them ros a tall. quick
set hedge, which effcctually shielded
from their view a narrow. gravclled
path, that wound it's secluded way d.
rcctly to the house, and from which,
about a hundred yards further on, n
had access by a rustic stilc in 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 Mt her companion with Il
half-amused smile.
"What is it," he asked.
"My SHOE" she answered. ut has
come undone: the string is loose, and
If 1 go another step it will certainly
come off altogether"
"Let me fasten it for you," Sir Mark
proposed, gravcly, and Miss Blount
having murmured that he was very
good" he forthwith bent down on his
knees and took her beautiful little foot
1t so happened that just Mt this mo-
ment, as iii luck would have it, Black
wood Craven was returning by the
small gravelled 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, hath-
crime, the following tableau met his
eyes.
Sir Mark Warren 1 was knecling on
the grass, his fair, handsome head bent
over Miss Bloumt's foot as it rested
on his knee. while she was steadying
herself comfortably by leaning her
hand on the STOPPING baronet's Shout
der. The shoe took a very long-in
fact, a remarkably longtime to fasten.
Either Sir Mark was unused to such
tasks Gas 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 1t 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 unwilling
to part with it without rendering 1t
homage, bent down and pressed his
lips most fervently to the dainty stock
ing that covered the %high-arched in
step.
Miss Blount first frOwned Mt this lit
tie act on the young mans part. after
which she smiled and murmured a de-
mure little '"Thank yOu!!" and then
Blackwood Craven. with Il groan that
was half a curse, dropped down from
the stile whereon he had been sitting
quite unobserved by the other two, and
advanced rapidly to meet them. The
passionate pride of his nature stood
him III good stead here, blanching his
whole face, certainly. but leaving his
smile as unembarrassed and pleasant
as usual.
"Good evening, Warrenne," he said.
~carelessly, holding out his hand. Il
fancied somehow all day that vol
would be down this evening. I want
to speak to you by-ani-by about that
pointer Of yours. Going to see the
Duke katherine: l hurried back as
quickly as I could to accompany you,
but now you have Sir Mark it doesn't
matter, and it happens very well, us
have some letters to write. But" with
a smile, do not be longer than YOU
can help, dear, as 1 want my coffee
badly, and, besides, the dew is begin
ming to fall heavily" With which lit
tie brotherly speech, and a part.
ing kindly touch upon her shoul
der, he went on his way, to all out
ward seeming perfectly COMPOSED.
Perhaps that he imposed rpon Sir
Mark future events proved that he
did, more Or less.) but On his cousin
he certainly did not. She HAD known
him too long MOI to understand by this
time what alone could whitelL his brave
handsome face, or cause the hand thai
rested on her arm when passing tc
burn with such IL dry. throDbing heat
In Il moment her whole mood chang
ed; she could no longer chatter and
laugh with the man beside her: Black
woods face interpCSea aud seemed to
forbid it; she felt cold and chilled and
wickedly inclined toward the world III
general. She hated Sir Mark. simpl,
because he had offered most kindly Il
tie her shoe, and she could find moth
ing else against him ji'st then; she
hated the innocent colt that had beer
the primary cause OF ill this mischief
| she hated herself in that she had al
lowed Warrenna to hold her foot fol
even IL moment in his hand. and tc
kiss it. Pah. how hateful seemed now
the thing that had appeared so harm
less Il few minutes before, and she
hated BlackwooH. ~bccausn-all, no! not
Elackwood above all people. Heaven
alone knew how little hatred she cher
ishcd i'll her heart fnr him.
what are you thinking OFF,. her com
panion asked, presently. beginning to
wonder at the protracted silence.
"Of many things" She answered
vaguely. not to say unpleaSant!y. But
Sir Mark being perfectly unsusn;ciou:
of having offended her in any way, de
tcctcd no warning i'll her voice. ant
went on unwittingly of his undoing.
'"Tell me one of them. Tita," he said
tendcrly, so compromising himself a
absolutely as mortal man could do SC
do not address me in that manner,'
she said, who gave You permission
to call me 'TitaY Not l, certainly! Ney
er dare to do it again!"
II beg your PARDON" Warrcnne re
piled just a little haughtily fcelin'
and looking considerably astonishe
at this outbreak, as well he might. ="
had no idea you would have any oil
lection. Will you tell me what ] ma
call you, then-'Katherine?'
II think perhaps Miss Blount' vii
be best" she answered, with eXtrcm
hateur, born either of her rutfled ten
per or Of the new-found satin trai
that rustlel m~ajestcally behind her.
After this agreeable finish to thei
conversation the remainder of the wal
was decidedly the reverse Of pleasan
, being passed in utter silence. and.
~ L 1890. 800 ..-~11 -.