Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-01-24

practical. clever. athletic horsewoman.
this free, honest. open. fearless. mas
cuiine woman. as she loved To think
herseif-sat there with her hand in his.
listening TO his honeyed words. and
answering them now and then in
whispers. and feeling too happy fos
words.
There was a public footpath through
the abbey In those days. and when
Jack Meadows years before had tried
to make love 10 her. Mary had been
very quick with excuses for not lolter-
Ing. lest people passing to and fro
should think II odd.
But with Dick Parker she thought
of ''no,hing or OF nobody"
They got up from her fayorite seat.
and walked along the ehancel and in
to the chapter house. and away into
the meadows. Mary telling Dick now
and then some pieces of interesting
history connected with the ruins: he
responding with accounts OF the gays-
ties OF London.
The sun was setting when they stood
BY the river at the spot where Dick
had beeen iashins the quiet waters He
picked up his ercei out OF the grass.
There was u brace OF fine trout In Il.
q tribute rather TO the river than tn
the skill OF the angler. Dick packed
up his tackle. siuns the cresi over his
shoulder. and fisherman and maiden
wandered home~ards through tho
felda-
Tho shadows fell soft and stili about
them m they crossed tho bridge and
entered the roadway opposite the Inn.
Already tho bnnds were drawn, and
tho warm light from the autumn nrcs
made beacon Of the house for trav-
eicrs In the coming darkness. Mr..
Taylor and his friend. Wilson. wero
In the bar. and 30 was Squire Beiling-
ham.
"Ah." said old Morley. when Dick
with = laugh exhibited the results Of
his days sport. .you should get Jack
Meadows to show you the way: OF
even our man Tom. I've known Tom
to whip out the brace Of three and
four FOUNDERS many q time before
breakfast"
I'm not much OF n fisherman" said
Dick. 'and I've been fishin. part OF
the day In the abbey. talking Of tho
days of monks and nuns. and ancient
aimoncrs. and the like. with our fair
hostess
II reckon Mary knows every stone.
and corbci. and shaft. and broken
arch. and Ivy stem In the place." said
Morley.
But she doesn't honor every one Of
your guests as she has honorcd this
gentleman. I think" said Bciiinsham.
"fvc shown many gentleman and
lady over tho abbey before today.
said Mary. rather sharply.
mo doubt. no doubt: and they were
to be onvicd their guide" remarked
tho Squire. smiling. but iookin. rathor
asknncc ut Parker.
THAT Is true" said Parker.
You are remaining In thecs parts. .
said Bcliin.ham. 'longcr than you In
tended at iirst!''
no" said Parker.
"Thcrc is better fishing farther
north" Bcliinsham rcjoincd: but no,
SO interesting as the abbey"
Nor the beautiful guide. you werc
going to add" said Parker. We'll.
agree with you. and. believe me. sir
for II IN the TRUTH have an homes,
mans reverence and respect for both. y
spoken like a man." said Taylor.
Mary smiled In a friendly way nj
Taylor. and left the room. Bcllingham
said: II hope So"
"You arc my elder In years. possibly
my great superior In wisdom; but
do not know that age or wisdom give
you the right to hint that am not
speaking the truth" said Parker.
Goodnight" was Bcllingham's re.
ply. II see the groom has brought ou,
my horse. sleep at Harrogate to-
night: but We shall doubtless NEE,
agnin. meant no offense. Good
night. Morley, good night. all"
Meanwhile. within three days OF
Mary's ramble with Parker in the alb.
hey. all Kirkstall knew that 1t was all
over with Jack Meadows chances Of
ever marrying Mary Lockwood.
Ito be continued)