The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-12-27
CHAPTER-VII.

| Mary LOCKWOOD ndQ given uei heoi
to Dick Parker without thought of
Jack Meadows, her uncle, or anyone
else. She seemed to be under a spell
from the first moment the young
stranger had spoken to her.
And he was nobleman. She never
doubted it. Morley said he had the
manners of an aristocrat, and the ex-
travagance of prince" He suggest
ed in a mild way that these were the
very reasons why Mary should beware
of his attentions.
Mary said blood ennobled a mans
actions. If they estimated 1t so high
ly in horse, why not in a man?
Old Taylor, who entered into the
discussion on the second day of Park
er's stay at the inn, agreed with Mary,
but at the same time said, girls must
mate with their equals.
Mary had replied that girls had no
choice in the matter until they were
asked.
Dick Parker had heard this latter
remark as he entered the little bar
parlor, for within "a hours he was on
familiar terms with the household.
Presently, when she was alone, Dick
said: will you meet me in the abbey
this afternoon? l want to say some
thing to you"
Cant you say it here?" she replied.
"No; besides, you know all about
the abbey, and would like to see it
with you"
81 will ask my uncle" said Mary.
SIS that necessary"
YES" said Mary, well knowing it
was not but she wished to have an
authorization for the pleasure he felt
it would be to walk alone with the
stranger, who spoke so softly, looked
so handsome, and paid her such pretty
and evidently such sincere compli-
ments.
"Then ask him, will you? am 60
ing to fish in the river on the other
side Of the abbey; we might meet on
the banks and then could talk of the
monks of old, Of glee maidens, and the
days of romance"
Uncle" said Mary, as old Morley
came into the little room, "can l show
Mr.. Parker the abbey?"
81 should think so, indeed; I would
like to see the lass or lad, or parson in
black for that matter, who knows
more about it,"
And yet, in his way, he had really
fallen in love with Mary Lockwood.
He felt that he could sacrifice any
thing for her.
At one moment he had half mind
to tell who he really was and coun-
sci her to accept the honest man
whom he had seen riding with her;
half a mind to advise her thus and
ride away back to town, and leave
Yorkshire and Bellingham, and the
rest to Foster; half a mind to seek
other employment, to go to the Low
Countries and fight the Spaniards;
but his good emotions were as evan
escent as was his character; and just
as he felt most penitent Mary looked
up at him with her blue eyes, and
seemed to invite his further speech
and with not a shadow of reproach
in them for his quick, IL not abrupt
declaration.
81 have heard of love at first sight
and laughed at it," she said, leaving
her hand in his, as he sat down by
her side, but did not know what II
was"
"And do you love me?" whispered
Dick, "as love your"
81 think So" said the infatuated
girl
1t is always the case with YOU
strong-minded young women who IL
never going to marry; heart and fan
cy conquered, she is utterly gone, hope
lessly a slave; her love is worship, hel
devotion idolatry.
Mary, though she had only known
Dick Parker for moment as 1t were
gave him her confidence as IL they
, had been brought up together from
childhood, as she and Jack Meadows
had.
do you only think sou he asked.
II am sure So" she answered; ant
the bold wooer stole his arm roun'
her waist and kissed her.
She sat there as n in dream-thi