The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-08-10
THE COST OF A KISS
BY PHILIP GIBRs.

lll1I OOOI VI n hlOC.
By PHILIP GIBBS.
1t was a grand morning for hunt
The dew lay thick on the grass and
sparkled like myriad of gems in the
bright sunshine. The hunters opened
their mouths and drank in the keen
morning air as they dashed after the
beagles, past farm and homestead, over
hedge and ditch, up hill and down
dale. The fox was a gallant fellow,
and fled like the wind before his pur-
suing foes, who followed the scent with
nose to the ground and tail erect. Sir
Reynard slackened speed at last, and
in another moment Lord WillOwbrook
shouted the ''view hallOop BY this
time they had formed a semi-circle,
and were halfway back to Willow
brook village. On the crest of the hill
stood little stone-built house covered
with jasmine and Virginia ereeper. 1t
was the little school of Willow brook,
and the singing of the children came
through the open door and mingled
with the faint bayiDg of the weary bea-
giles, that painted up the hill after their
tired victim. They were close upon
him now, and in another moment his
fate would have been sealed, when sud-
denly there was cry of establishment
from Lord Willowbrook, who was the
foremost huntsman.
"By JOve, the animal has run into
the schoolhousep 1t was a fact; the
poor, tired beast had seen the open
door, and had dashed in to escape the
Iangs of the hounds behind him. The
children in the school set up fright
fal shrek, and the school door was rap
idly banged to in the face Of the hun
CRY beagles, which ran TO and fro. bay
ing and whimpering in frantic excite
ment-
"Well, this is certainly a rum 60"
said Lord WilIowbrook, as the other
huntsmen struggled up. "What shall
we do?"
"Call off the bounds and get inside"
said Frank Cowley, the parsons mad
cap son.
After some consultation this was
finally agreed upon. The school door
had been locked, and nobody op ned it
after repeated knocking, so with very
little ceremony, Frank Cowley put his
shoulder TO the door and attempted to
burst it open. 1t was a solid piece of
oak, with strong bolts outside, a some
what singular arrangement, only used
when the place was empty. The lock
resisted all his attempts; but when half
a dozen stalwart fellows hurled them
selves against it, it yielded. The dozen
or so young huntsmen entered pell-mtli
into the schoolroom, but pulled them
selves up suddenly when they realized
their situation.
At the end of the large room, on a
little raised dais, upon which was a
school desk, stood young girl, sur
rounded by a group of little children
who were elinging 10 her skirts in ter
ror at the sudden invasion. She was a
slim, fair girl, In plain, tight-fitting
black dress, with mass Of sunny
golden hair; and, as she stood by her
desk, with flushed cheeks and an angry
light in her blue eyes, she looked very
pretty and naughty.
"What is the meaning Of this unwar
rantable intrusion, gentlemen2" she
said, in clear, silvery voice.
The young huntsmen touched their
caps, but could not find anything to
say.
'sGadzoohs, what pretty gal - whis-
pared the irrepressible Frank Cowley.
Lord Willowbrook was the first to
speak.
MADAM, /" he said, in that deep, mu-
steal voice of his, which caused such
thrill TO the hearts OF the female in
habitants Of wilIowbrook, 1--WE sim
cerely ask your pardon, but-but We
are rough huntsmen; our fox took ref
uge in your school, aud in the ardor of
our sport, we have, perhaps, forgotten
our manners"
Al think that is the case" said the
schooImistress, with faint suspicion
of a smile. However, gentlemen, you
will not find your fox here, because it
has gene up the chimRey, where you
are at perfect liberty 10 follow it."
The huntsmen burst into q merry
laugh, which put them at their ease.
The young lord of the manor sat
down on the foremost bench and look
ed around curiously at the little school
room, fitted with rows Of wooden desks,
and decorated with colOred maps and
charts. Then his eyes returned to the
pretty schoolmistress with the golden
hair, and to the little group of village
children, who had recovered from their
fright, and were peeping from behind
her skirts
"Really, this Is quite charming"
said the young man, pleasantly, as If
to open a conversation.
"Reminds one Of ones youth, doesn't
it?' said Mr. Frank CowIey, sitting
down on another bench, and taking up
one of the ehiIdren's states.
az say. schoOlmistress," said Tom
Hardy, one Of the neIghbOring squires,
more renowned for his good temper
than for his brilliant wit, "s'pOse you
give US lesson ?'
The proposition was received with
general burst Of applause from the
h,,ssman who sat down with mueh