The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-03

day on her jet-blac barb, which was
passaging all down the drive with wicked
grace, without, in the least diSconcerting
the accomplished little horsewoman on
her back; and Mrs. Dellamere In her
pony phaeton. with her companion by
her side, as usual Mrs. DelIamere al
ways drove to the meet when Loveday
hunted, and saw her off at the squire's
left hand AS she rolled through her
own gate this morning, she flashed a
searching glance around the company,
and Auberon guessed that she was look
ing for Accrington. AS the youth ap.
preached her, her eye Frightened; She
shocks hands with him warmly, and
drew him closer, saying, in q low voice:
Il sec the Squire heads the hunt to-day;
will you, then. accept the care or Love-
day and bring her safe back to me?"
Auberon promised, with sparkling
eyes, and adroitly getting his horse be-
side Loveday's pretty "Ahmed," they
rode away together.
There were many carriages in the
train; even the aged Duchess of Carts.
brooke was there, in spite OF the bar
barity of the hour, for the pious purpose
of setting "that scoundrel, Accrington,
to his days work-namely, storming
the heart of Lady Merrion Rae.
The whole assembly came to halt on
gentle eminence, with the carriages on
the road which wound round its base;
and here they waited in the silence OF
death while the hounds were thrown
into cover. The hunters sat like eques-
trian statues, oEly their eyes glancIng
with life, and listened breathlessly foi
the first ringing "View-halloo" from the
huntsman's horn which would announce
"the find"
Auberon looked from right to left at
the two ladies nearest him; he scanned
the dark, glowing beauty Of Merrion
Rae, subdued by loves consciousness to
melting tenderness; and he fingered over
little Loveday with her radiant, spirited
head, and witching mirth.
And again a strange shock thrilled
through him, and his heart beat fast as
he recalled his mothers words:
"Save her; you can"
Not sign Of Accrington yet.
"Will you keep by me, Loveday?" muir
INJURED Auberon, in the lowest Of tones.
There was no time for a reply in
words; she had turned toward him with
a start and a keen look, when the ex-
pected signal sounded, the ringing hal
loo. a burst OF baying from the dogs, and
the wild "Tally-ho!" as the fox broke
cover and away, with the whole field
streaming after.
Loveday flung Auberon brilliant,
mocking smile, set her little teeth, and
sped like an arrow with the best Of them,
scarcely needing the presence OF Auberon
close beside her, in the delicious, mad
excitement Of the chase.
To her deep chagrin, Merrion Rae
soon discovered that her hunter could
not keep up to the pace, and that she
must gradually foil behind She was by
far too sweet-tempered to fume or chafe,
and as one by ORC the riders slid past
her, she pulled out Of the course, mounted
little hill, and watched through her
field glass what direction the fox was
taking Suddenly her face frightened,
and she swept onward in new direc-
tion; the fox bad doubled on his pur.
suers, and was twisting in and out
among the bushes and by taking cross
cut she could foil in with hes friends
again.
AS she emerged from a copse she saw
Richard Accrington on height not far
from her, coolly 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.
stroye6 forever all chance Of uncon-
strained intercourse between them, and
the broad hints of her hostess, the
duchess, that she intended to make
match of them, effectually kept them
a, art except when under her autocratio
eye, when they played at cordiality in
self-defcnse
But that quick ego OF Accringtons
had noted the solitary rider long ago,
and she had not gone far when he came
lightly swinging over the cradle.hills to
her side, with world OF gentle concil-
iation in his greeting.
She coud not help admiring his fine
appearance in the brilliant uniform OF
the hunt, as he managed his fiery hunter
with consummate skill, controlling its
impatient efforts to break away and
ioin in the mad race over hedge and
ditch, with turn Of the firm right hand
on the reins, all the while seemingly
quite engroSsed 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
lound more desirable company.
"Or until you find your golden-tressod
Ariadne," retorted she, laughing and
blushing superbIy, for she entirely 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.
81 fear I am not to have that happi-
ness to-day" said he, sunless you. my
kind ally. help mo to it. / see indica-
tions of Interference, probably by that
immortal. tho CarisbrooKe, who has
long outlived tho sympathes of hu-
manity. I believe Miss Dellamere has
been specially placed under guardian
ship for the day. can perceive no other
reason for young Crccy's close attend.
ance."
The insnuation dropped like honey
into Merrion's hurt; sho had wondered
somewhat shamedly that Auberon had
allowed her to fall behind alone.
That was the exclamation. tho rand
pIunderlng OLD ducness mad In some man
ner contrived it that Loveday should be
placed in Auberon's special charge, so
that Accrington should be forced to as.
sociate with herself. Her proud heart
swelled with wrath, she would not be
thrown at any mans feet so!
She was quite ready to respond In the
right spirit when Accrington entreated
her to give him her aid in winning Love-
day for his companion for short time.
The idea of thrusting herself upon Au.