Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-11

UOS tl0o " 6Q0k6 Oa0OS WIN xelVeIVO0,
but quite enough to stroke the mares
velvet nose and give her the bit Of sugar
she had made ready for Ronny's de-
spised beast.
As Yelverton swung her, light ~
bird, into the saddle, and she stuck her
foot into the stirrups aud settled her
skirts cleverly with one shake, the mare
pricked up her delicate ears and began
to dance as if infected by the frivolous
atmosphere OF youth that Lesley always
seemed to diffuse, or possibly because
she knew she had something very spe-
cial ON her back, but certain it is that
Lesley, by voice and touch, encouraged
her in her tricks till Yelverton, looking
on at the delightful pair, wondered
what they might not take into their
heads to do next.
It would be difficult to say which set
tied the question. the two feminine
things appeared SO entirely Of one mind,
but while Yelverton was anxiously in
quiring the whereabouts Of Major Kill
murray from Charville, who held his
horse. Miss Coquette edged playfully of
toward Stanhope Gate and Lady Appul-
durcombe appeared on the balcony just
in time to see Lesley disappearing at o
smart canter down the park, with Vel
verton rapidly overtaking her.
She stood looking after them in per-
plexity. Where was Ronny, and why
was Yelverton taking his place: The
sight of one of her grooms in hot pursuit
of the pair rather relieved her mind.
= oil 1,o,, Ill
altogether wrong. thought her aunt.
with some very real concern.
Of course the girl could not be ex-
pected to know the proprieties and Vel
verton was about as safe man as girl
could be seen with. Still! And then
Lady Appuldurcombe thought of her
brother-in-law not exactly with bless
ing and reverted to her original asser-
ton that she never could forgive him.
One could not help loving Lesley, to be
sure, but Lesley was handful.
Some idea of sending Charville or
Parker to bring the girl back crossed
her mind, but that would be to make
everybody ridiculous, herself included,
so she sat down to her escritoire. reserv-
ing her soul in patience and only hop
ing that Ronny might have arranged to
meet them in the Row.
Meanwhile the fair Malincourt was
''goilg it like steam," as q very consid-
cradle number Of persons, who already
, knew her by sight, with some amuse
ment remarked an hour or SO later.
On Yelve-ton's mare-that was q
good deal better known by sight in
town than some ct the principal people
in tin Yelverton's company, quite
alone-well, it was rather rapid, don't
you know, but no one could deny that
she rode better, dressed better and
looked better than any girl who had
shone in the Row that season.
The world grinned ut the great Lady
Appuldurcombe being caught socially
tripping, and even the immovabie face
Of her manservaEt behind the pair did
not mend matters in the least. Yelver-
ton, thoroughly uncomfortable, had
tried to persuaue Lesley to go toward a
more unfrequented part of the park, but
she liked the shade of the trees and to
watch the people, she said, SO drew up
at the rails and soon had round her most
Of the men who had been introduced to
her since she arrived in town.
She talked to them all with the grace
and fearlessness that distinguished her,
yet withCnt one word or look to which
Lady Appuldurcombe could possibly
lave taken exception, with no veil to
hide the rich bloom on her cheek, the
peculiar blue of her clear eyes, the
swift changing emotions, all keen and
delightful, that came and went on her
little spirited, joyous face.
She found one or two old Somerset
shire friends among the somewhat
sparse crowd-men who had almost
forgiven her for jilting them, just as
she had entirely forgotten any case Of
offense they might have against her,
and she was having the best of good
times, while Yelverton was having the
worst, when Ronald Kilmurray rode
up, by sheer force of control hiding the
intense annoyance that devoured him.
Every sorry to be so late, cousin, ~
he said, lifting his hat to Lesley and
nodding to several men in the group.
will you find it too hot for turn?"
And before she knew his intention he
had turned her bride rein, and they
were galloping down the Row side by
side.
"Seems in a hurry" Lesley heard
one man say to another. Then somebody
laughed, and staring in amazement at
Ronny she saw him clinch his teeth,
while the riders who knew and passed
him observed that glory evidently did
not suit his constitution.
"What made you go off with Yelver-
ton like that?" he said abruptly. "And
on his horse! How dare the fellow! ~ he
muttered furiously. "Was not the horse
I sent round for you good enough?''
Lesley checked the mare SO suddenly
that a less perfect rider woud have been
unseated, and with Miss Coquette stand
ing stock still called after Ronny with
out raising her voice.
Ronny. who had shot beyond. came
back with very bad grace indeed.
81 did the best Icould, he said cold
II ssTu tho 1oi0ht ~ Tho eaoso,, - ;s