The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-16

ness. I'm sure I'd have picked It out and
cleaned II. only l was afraid to mako too
free 1 can't bear bad manners. or i'm
pudence like that Forester. who La no
more than an upper servantr'
II have scarcely spoken to him." said
Madeleine, but / do not suppose he In
tended TO be rude; 1T was mere thought
lessness."
"Athen. what's to hinder him from
thinking, and why shouldn't the Hon
orable St Maur be thoughtless, too7"
81 am sure Mr. Forester has moro
brains to think with.'' said Madeleine.
laughing.
Don't you be too partial to clever poo
pie, my darlin'! Heart before head for my
choosing. Dor't you see how Forester 10
picking the masters brains just to suck
up his knowledge. Then he'll pretend he
found everything out himself. know his
sort. and it's a sort don't want here!"
Why are you vexed about such q
| trife. Grannie? / would not trouble If
''Oh, I'm not as wise as you are, though
l am your elder. It's the only fault find
with you, my Jewel; you sometimes can't
/ or won't put yourself in another's plsce-
whisht! Here he is-with Mr.. Northi
Just look at the difference between them"
Yes. 1 confess 1t is striking said
1 Madeleine. y ct Mr.. Forester IS decidedly
/ gOOd-lOoking."
Good -Iockingi Obi blessed hourl TO
think OF any one with eyes in her head.
finding good looks In the like of himl"
/ and iIrs. sutton beat a hasty retreat.
| perhaps to regain her composure. as she
| soon returned to enjoy a cup of we'll
| sweetened coffee
I'VE have left your brother and his
/ guest TO their more powerful potations,
TO beg a. cup of this innocent beverage!
/ said North. drawing a chair beside Made
I II l.
ample. For my part" he said. II much
| prefer coffee TO wine. thank you as
| Madeleine handed him a cup; "I did not
| anticipate enjoying II under such favor
able circumstances as these" looking
| boldly and admiringly at her as he spoke,
| then addressing North. while he slowly
/ stirred his coffee and looking steadily at
/ him through half-shut eyes. he went on.
| II have heard so much Of your proWesS
as a hunter that 1 was very glad to find
our vetturino. If 1 may call him so. could
secure US an introduction TO you. 1t is e
! great chanCei 1 suppose you find absteIn-
/ iousness rather a necessity in the sort OF
life you lead
"A necessity 1 did not recognize at
first but am quite convinced of now. 1t
takes some time 10 earn the laws wnicn
must rule a hunters sife-"
NO doubt Have you been long at this
kind of work?'
| Yes; several years"
"You must have begun very young to
/ look as you do now
Not so very young; 1 had knocked
/ about d bit first"
You are an Englishman?'
why? Do you take me for q Boer9'
with grim laugh
/ "Oh! ! never doubted you were British.
| but of which nationality-Irish, Scotch or
EnglishH'
.'Oh. 1 call myself English"
What's your part of our countryT
cant tell; L was born at sea- shortly
/ and gTuffly.
YOU are lucky to have escaped being
named after the shlpF' exclaimed Forres-
ter in a light one. Il have friend.
Jolly good little fellow. whose life has
/ been considerably spoiled because he was
1 chrfstened Crocodile and Crocodile Jones
is not an attractive appellation."
II should say not" returned North.
| smiling. Your father. Miss Erie" he re-
sumed-'T beg your pardon l ought TO
say brother: I seem TO have rooted
| idea that Erie Is or ought 10 be your
| father
HE has acted the part OF father 20
! me-" returned Madeleine smiling on him
/ as If she liked to listen
We'll, your brother. then. proposes we
1 should ride toward Bladen's Poort- They
/ saw there's a herd of wildebeestes about
/ there. Wen take our rifles to let these
/ gentlemen try their hands at real wild
/ game. 1 wish you had a mount. Miss
Erie: you might come with u.s.
II should like to ride with you, but
do not like to see these beautiful Wild
creatures killed"
| 81 assure you 1 have known soma
| ladies first-rate shots. up in Northum-
/ berland," put In Forester. Are you too
/ soft-hearted to use your eyes except IN
a drawing room for fear of hurting any
/ four-foOted thing?"
eff l did l should hurt myself, 20
perhaps there is some selhshness at the
| bottom of my tenderness" said Madeleine
| carelessly.
This is a cad" was North's concfu-
sion as he marked the air of condescend-
| ing superiority assumed by Forester ia
| addressing Madeleine.
II never cared for sporting women
/ myself" he said. IF We are going 70
/ ride toward Bladen's Poort we had bet
ter be going. Your friend, Mr. Forrcstor
must be very attractive companion.
have rarely known Mr.. Erie sit so long
after dinner"
1.-The attraction is the other way round,
1 fancy. st. Maur finds the wine eI-
cellent and as host Mr.. Erie cannot
exactly leave him to drink it alone
Exactly, then would you
It's IL SO Master 1pfl
/ out. He'll show you some remarkable
shooting. 1 expect" interrupted Forres-
| ter with a sarcastic grin.
He rose and went into the house
You'll be thankful to get rid OF US"
said North. replacing his cup on the
table. II ought to feel nattered by the
interest this gentleman takes In my per
sOnal history"
You may say that Mr.. North" cried
| Mrs. sutton What call has he to he
| catechising his betters. He's a cross-ex-
amininG divil Faith the prince of Wales
| himself wouldn't speak as he does to q
| young lady like Miss Madeleine
HE has the air Of gentleman.
/ though" remarked North thoughtfully.
His face is not unfamiliar to me-can
l have met him before7 1t Is most un-
| likely"
He looks very bright and ken" said
Madeleine. but his friend is too funny.
l never met any one quite like him. He
/ seems complete simpleton"
''Ye can't tell at first sight which a man
/ Is "A natural (half-witted) or a rock Of
sense. and I'm thinking Mr.. St. Maur IS
| not such a fool as he looks. ANYWAY he
| knows how to speak to you. nv darling, a