The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-05

organ. I am sorry l was SO silly. Lord In
gram, but il seemed as if | don't know why
should have behaved So foolishly.
did not think you foolish he said. in
very low tones. did not recognize what he
was playing, but if [ mad l. too, should have
hated it. II would have seemed like bad
omen" He broke off, and there was silence
between them until they drew up at the door
of Ferncourt.
Half-an-hour later Mr.. Dickinson arrived,
me well-preserved nan Of sixty. with very
| handsome daughter, and all prospect of
other tete-a-tete with Miss Bruce was at an
end for Ingram
But he was very happy, and content to be
in her presence, exchanging few words now
and then, and catching an understanding
glance from her dark eyes when anything of
mutual interest was said, which showed that
pleasant intimacy and comprehension which
are so delightful in the early stage of a
| love affair."
Lady Thelstons marvellous costume, for
instance, caused a sparkle of amusement to
fly from the dark eyes to the blue ones as
she entered the drawng-room before dinner
att1red in wonderful admiXture of pale blue
pale green and yellow; and Arnold Rats by
GEORGE! was so spontaneous and uncontroll-
aDle that the others could only trust Lady
Ihelston would regard it as an expression of
fervent admiration
Il couldn't help tit ESCAPED me I'M
awares," he said, later, in the drawing-room,
when taken to task by Ingram and Miss
Bruce simultaneously. "Tll promise to be
dumb tomorrow night, whatever happens L
wonder what she will wear-don't you?"
Red and orange, 1 daresay said Max
LOOK here, Raft. Miss Dickinson is strug-
Cling with her violin case-can you help her?'
Then enSued a musical treat for Eleanor
Dickinson was an accomplished vioinist and
sha played the obigatos of some songs Of
Dora's with exquisite taste and precision
1t was pleasant evening, and when In
gram was in his own room, he leant out of
his window, nhaling the fragrant doors of
the soft summer night and forgot the dis
turbing element of that Funeral March in
the church, and the agitation it had caused,
and his mind full of contentment of
hope, and love, that blessed
Gift which God has given
10 man alone beneath the heaven"
yet which has the strange paradoxical
power of turning life into paradise or pur-
gatory at scarcely moments notice.
The party from Cammonmere were to meet
the Ferncourt sportsmen at eleven the fol-
lowing morning, at spot where cartridges
were reported to be very PLENTIFUL and Dora
arranged to drive her two lady guests and
the luncheon, to a little wood, which bore
the romantic name of the "Hyacinth Dell"
from the carpet of bluebells which might be
found there in the spring, and where the
shooters would meet them.
Mr. Lawson is taking two guns besides
himself, ;, Dora said. at breakfast-"that will
be seven altogether Reed, the keeper, thinks
She and Lady Thelston came out on the
steps to see the dog-cart driven off and In
gram looked back and waved his cap as they
disappeared round the corner, and the pretty
slender figure in the simple blue linen dress
was lost to view.
The Cammonmere party had just arrived
at the rendezvous the others drove I'D
and Mr.. Lawson came forward and greeted
Mr.. Dickinson, whom he had met previously
Then mutual introductons folloWed: but to
Migrants surprise, the third gun turned out
to be Harold Bathurst, his old friend and
schoolfellow.
AS they walked together to the stubble
field, where their operations were to begin,
ingram learnt that this was BathurStS first
visit to these parts and that he coming
with Mr.. Lawson and his other guest to dine
at Ferncourt the following evening.
Il hear it is no end Of place, and that the
heiress is simply stunning he said.
And Ingram felt offended He knew not
why, and replied coldly, that the house was
charming and the gardens beautiful but said
nothing about the owner thereof.
1t happened that he and Harold were the
last to appear in Hyacinth DELL having been
at the farther end of the beat when they
stepped shooting, and the places on either
side Of Miss Bruce were occupied by Mr.
Lawson and Sir John Thelston so Max
seated himself Immediately opposite on the
other side of the white cloth, which was
spread the messy sward, and. leaning
forward, introduced his friend.
Bathurst and are old chums." he ex
planned. pleasantly. and Miss Bruce bowed
and asked some questions about sport; and
then Lady Thelston, attired in what she con-
sidered suitable costume OF heather tweed
with a waistcoat and toque composed of
pheasants breasts, took possession of Har
OLD as Tar as conversation was concerned
rewards the close of the meal Dora and Mr.
Lawson were deep in discussion as to
mofel cottages. which both building on
al i've