The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-01-25

generally guessed that Mrs CrcCy and
Mrs. Dcllamere would have been ,.'ell
pleased to see their children marry.
As Mrs Crccy turned away she nnt
the earnest eyes of Auberon fixed qurS.
tioningly on her; he saw her trouble,
and longed to learn the cause An idea
occurred TO her: she would contde this
miserable rumor to Auberon. and con-
fcss her knowledge of AccringtonS
baScneSS.
Auberon might save Loveday If she
was in danger
A few moments afterward the party
broke up and scattered to their horses
Mrs. Crccy beckoncd her son to follow
her to her own room, and there, in
few hasty yet Succinct words, she made
him comprehend the character of Ac-
crington, and Loveday'S peril, should
he really be trying TO win her.
81 felt that he was basel" cried Au
boron: @at the touch of his hand the
blood in my veins seemed to shrink
backward. and in the glance Of his eye,
however bland or smiling, an inscrutable
spirit lurkcd behind the smile. Yet
I.oveday likes him
Mrs. Crccy was silent; fain would she
have read his mind about that sweet
girl whom she had Always pictured as
her future daughter; but she would not
ask confidence which was not voIun-
tccrcd: and AubGron pondcrcd silently.
He will b. at the hunt to-day. | hear,
said he, at last. Il shall do my best for
little l.ONcday, mother. How is 1t than
Lovcday can care for him? Is there no
saving instinct. then, for pure women"
1T must be Il mistake faltcred Mrs.
Crery. with Quivcrng lips: "save her.
.tuberOn, oh, my boy, save her. you
can"
lie started. and flashed keen glance
at her: the suggestion seemed to come
upon him like all ectric shock. Soon
faint, very sweet smile Crcpt about the
corners OF his mouth, and his eyes
Shonc.
u wonder If really can?" said he,
drcamiiy: Il would, like to know"
A long bugle call sounded the sum-
mons for the start.
Mother and son kissed each other
tenderly. and he bounded down stairs
and ont among the animated company
What fine sight it was
Beautiful equeStrienneS and their cav
alters, mounted on fiery horses, thun-
dered along the avenue. followed by the
dogs and their keepers: IL was early yet;
splendid hunting weather, for faint
| south wind blew and the sky was cloudy,
! and as they streamcd over the clean
| shaven champaign lawn outside the
DORMANT gates. satisfaction was visible
on every face.
The Pavilion reached. here came Love
day Oh her jet-oiack baro, which was
3assaging all down the drive with wicked
grace, without, in the least disconcerting
! the accomplished little horsewoman on
her back: and Mrs Dellamere in her
pony phaeton, with her companion by
! her side. as usual Mrs. Deliamere al
ways drove TO the meet when Loveday
| hunted, and saw her off at the squire
left hand As she rolled through her
! own gate this morning. she flashed !
searching glance around the company,
and Auberon guessed that she was look
ing for Accrngton. As the youth APP
preached her, her eye frightened; she
shocks hands with him warmly, and
drew him closer, saying. in a low voice:
81 see the Squire heads the hunt to-day;
will YOU, then accept the care OF Love-
/ day and bring her safe back to me?"
Auberon promised, with sparkling
eyes, and adroitly getting his horse be-
side Loveday'S pretty Ahmed" they
rode away together.
There were many carriages IN the
train; even the aged Duchess OF Carts
brooke was there, in spite OF the bar
barty of the hour, for the pious purpose
OF setting that Scoundrel, Accrington,
10 his days work-namely, StorminS
the heart of Lady Mcrrion Rae.
The whole assembly came to halt on
a gentle emincnce, with the carriages Oh
the road which wound round its base:
and here they waited in the silence of
death while the hounds were thrown
into cover. The hunters sat like equeS-
trian statues, only their eyes glancing
with life. and listened breathlcssly for
the first ringing "Nicw-halloo" from the
huntsman's horn which would announce
"the find.
Aubcron looked from right to left at
the two ladies nearest him: he scanned
the dark. glowing beauty OF Mcrrion
Rae, Subdued by loves consciousness to
melting tenderness; and he fingered over
lit Loveday with her radiant. spirited
head, and witching mirth.
And again strange shock thrilled
through him, and his heart beat fast as
he recalled his mother words:
">ayr her: you can. o."
Not Il sign of Accrington yet.
"Wil you keepby me. Lovcday?' mur-
INJURED Autcron. in the lowest OF tones.
There was no time for a reply N
words: she had turned toward him with
a start and keen ,ook. when the en-
prc,rd sigma sounded. the ringing hal
zoo, burst of bavng from the dogs. and
the wild Tally no." as the fox broke
cover and away. with the whole field
streaming after.