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

3
CHAPTER VIII.
Cali is mt we'll;
I doubt some foul play."-Hamlet.
Lord Ingram was inclined to regard the in
flux of visitors to Ferncourt on Tuesday af-
ternoon as an unmitigated bore, so happily
did the earliest hours Of the day slip by.
After breakfast Dora did the honors of the
stable, and he thought he had never seen
anything prettier than the excitement of
the horses at the sound of her voice. They
lifted their heads, prclked their ears and
whinnied with Impotence for the caress and
lump Of sugar which they knew she had
brought; and Ingram duly admired her fav-
orites, notably a thoroughbred chestnut
mare, Irish, as her name, Molly Malone de-
noted, and which Dora declared the
most perfect mount that ever carried a lady.
Aren't you, my Molly?" she asked, press
ing her cheek to the soft muzzle, in a tantal-
ling manney. perhaps Lord Ingram will
go for ride with some day, and then
he will see what beauty you are
Then they went to the garden and through
the glass houses, and wandered about till
luncheon time, by which hour Ingram was
fathoms deep in love, and Dora was win
ming, so sweet and gracious, that he could
not help hoping that she, too, was not quite
Indifferent. But he was so happy in the
present that he put off asking a definite ques-
ton till later in his visit, though his tones
and looks were pregnant with meaning and
Mrs. Slade-Clinton read him like a book.
1T will be excellent arrangement" the
astute lady thought. He is quite charming
good looking and rich and Dora, for the first
time in her life, actually appears to be in
love"
Mrs. Slade- Clinton was far too clever to
hazard a word to her niece on the subject
but she looked on we'll pleased, and resolved
that II matters had not come to a climax by
Saturday, when the party was expected to
break up, she would ask Lord Ingram to stay
on a day two longer - - p
Are you not tired Dora?" she asked at
luncheon you have been out all the morn
irg!"
"Oh, dear, no, Aunt Adela I have been
pottering about only, and we sat down to
rest half dozen times-did We not?'-turn-
ing to Ingram.
Miss Bruce has been a most delightful
cioerone," he said, addressing Mrs Slade-
Clinton. II have seen the most perfect stables
and gardens, and when the l o'clock bell rang
l thought we had only been out about an
hour"
Mrs. Slade-C Clinton laughed
Instead of three!" she said did you
show him the church, Dora? No? You must
see that some day, Lord Ingram. 1t is very
old Norman and considered very interesting
I'VE might. Perhaps you would like, if you
are not tired, to go there after LUNCH" Dora
suggested. IF we have the pony-cart, Aunt
Adela, we should get back before the other
people arrive. Who will come first?"
Mr.. Dickinson and Eleanor will be here
about 4. The rest come from town. all by
the o'clock train. They will be in time for
dinner"
So Dora ordered the pony-cart, and an hour
later Ingram was sitting beside her admring
the way she managed the lively little grey
who coquetted with shadows and seemed
ready to jump out of his skin with good
spirits and freshness.
TORY, you get too many oats and too little
work. or you wouldn't be so silly Dora re-
marked, severely, as they emerged on to the
high road, and the pony objected to pass
couple of bicyclists whose handle bars were
cleaning in the sunshine
Five minutes more brought them to
charming village, and they stopped at the
church gate, leaving Tory in charge of the
groom.
1t was a perfect specimen Of Norman archi-
lecture, and had been we'll preserved but to
Ingram it was chiefly interesting as the spot
where if he gained his hearts desire, the
great happiness Of his life would come to
him. He gaZed at the ohanceI step, and
again at the altar rails, and pictured himself
kneeling there with Dora beside him, and
just then someone began to play the organ,
startling them both with the deep notes so
unexpected and so thrilling