The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-04-23
CHAPTER XIII.

Ins PLEASURES OF THE CHASE.
The Sporting Gazette of Stafford adj
vertised the meet of the hounds at
DORMANT few weeks afterwards.
Hal Crecy, being Master of the Fox
Hunt for his county. and an ardent
sportsman, was in his glory, and pre-
sided over the hunt breakfast, taken at
daybreak in his hospitable hall, with the
jolliest air imaginable.
Quite party were staying in the
house, and many came from distant
points Of the borough; not only mascu-
line huntsman graced the board, but
many dainty drawing-room queen was
there, transformed into dashing Diana,
in business-like habits and hunting caps,
their beauty shining cut eli the fairer
for the severity of their costumes.
Merton Rae was splendid to day in
her Lincoln green, heavily frogged
across the elegant bust In mil .tary vie,
with her darking glances and rich, red,
laughing mouth; Auberon was by her
side, clear eyed and radiant, as usual,
and frankly amused with all her bril-
liant sallies.
Ioyeday was not present; she would
join the company as they passed the
Pavilion; she always went to the hunt
under s. uire Crecy's special care, and
skinned a.ong by his side like spirit
ualized shadow wherever he led.
Accrington was not present either;
he had never intruded into DORMANT
again; but he was the theme of CONVEX
sation now. and every one seemed to
have something interesting to say about
him.
He was determined to be lower in
Stafford, said the gent emen; there was
no doubt about it, he meant to stand for
the next elect on, he was setting every
thing in trim; and with his wea tn and
push, his popularity and finesse, Edgar
Arden was like to find him tough an
tagonist. Could Inchcape know how
hard he was working? He ought to
summon his heir home to look after his
int rests; it would be an ugly disap-
pointment to Inchcape II Arden was to
lose the election.
Meanwhile the ladies were d 'scussfng
the magni6cence OF Sheldraik Castle,
which Colonel Accrington had pur-
chased aud was now. fitting up for
immediate occupation. They thought
lie only wanted wife now to be perfect
"a lady wife, who would play the host
ess successfully, and use her influence
on the right side ways-that was what
Colonel Accrington must get at once.
And then some one sent whisper
round, which blanched Mrs. Crecy's
cheek when it came to her, and she en-
phatically contradicted it
aOh, it's true, assure you, whatever
Mrs Dellamere may give out" insisted
q lady, laughing; nobody could see the
look in HIS eyes when they rest upon
her, and not discover that the attaches
inscrutable heart was taken captive at
once. And he is furnishing boudoir
with peach blossom color; he has had it
frescoed with nympbs and cupids sport
ing among the ilowers-a love poem in
pa mt; what does that portend?"
"A wife. perhaps, yet not that wife,
returned Mrs. Crecy, anxious'y.
~Peach-bloss0m and golden hair, and
every nymph Loyeday." whispered
| the gossip with great zest; for it was
generally guessed that Mrs Crecy and
] Mrs. Dellamere would have been well
pleased to see their children marry.
As Mrs Crecy turned sway she met
| the earnest eyes Of Auberon fixed ques
tioningIy on her; he saw her trouble,
| and longed to learn the cause An ides
| occurred to her; she would confile this
| miserable rumor to Auberon, and con
/ fess her knowledge OF Accrington':
baseness.
Auberon might save Loveday il she
was In danger
A few moments afterward the party
broke up and scattered to their horses
Mrs. Crecy beckoned her son to follow
her to her own room, ana there, In