Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-08
CHAPTER xxx.
We Ride After.

Instantly John babe the man dismount
and with a single pressure Of the hand to
me l cav him throw his leg into the saddle
and ride of furiously In the direction Of
Castle Cover. I stood a while dazed with
the suddenness Of the leave-taking. l knew
that. II the news proved to be true, the
fat would be In the IRE indeed.
Ny father, so l found from VIII, who met
me at the door as l was entering, had de-
parted that afternoon soon after / had set
out with little Johnny Colstoun. His de-
clared intention had been to go 20 Drumfern
in order to arrange for taking us all thither
on the way to the haven Of rest he had
been preparing to receive us.
And whom when / did enter should I see
sitting comfortably at the Preside but
Veronica Caesar. ] know that the blood
sprang unbidden into my cheeks as she
rose up with her usual swift impulsiveness
and kissed me. She had been talking to
Kate, who was still busted about her black
dress. And l could see that Veronica had
been helping her, for the skirt had assumed
quite a different aspect. In fact 1t neared
completion.
l do not know what l said, or Veronica,
either-except that she seemed to be soold-
ing me for being out so late, and l was all
on pins and needles lest Master Johnny's
uncertain tongue should reveal certain
secrets Of the ar woods Of Cover. But he
did nothing except wipe off Veronica's kiss
in a disguised manner with his handker-
chif and begin to play obtrusively with his
new half crown.
You small reptile cried Veronica, you
are a decent boy clean spoilt! That's what's
the matter with you. 1t would be telling
-. - - --. " -u--. -z- - ~
manse with my scamps. l would take a
frill or two out Of your tucker, young mani"
well, 90 shan't!" said Johnny. tran
GULLY. II don't love 'oo-'oo's ~nasty!"
Frank" said Vera, laughing. Sweet
child! Speaks so ~prettily, too-no wonder
| you pet him, Fairlie. Well, I know some
body who wouldn't, that's ALL"
She regarded him with a look OF manifest
disfavor.
who gave you that new half crown,
| Johnny Colstoun? % Vera demanded, cycling
It as the owner fitted it alternately into
either eye or held 1t somewhat perilously
between his teeth.
""Tisn't 'oor bissness!" responded Johnny
with simple dlrectness.
Johnny mustn't speak that way to a
lady" l said, %sternly, "or Johnny will be
punished"
He turned upon me quickly.
docs 90 wan LII Dzonny to tell the
lady hngs?" he asked, quick as the darting
sting OF a wasp.
Duty and prudence, discipline and valor's
better part never were in more direct con-
fict. So l said nothing.
you have had a nice walk?' asked
| Veronica, stitching a broad lace collar on
Hates completed dress. / cannot but think
that she had some suspicion or at least
some curiosity as to where I had been.
Besides. l learned afterward that In my
absence Kate had been talking to her about
her husband and Babe Rupert. Yet so
clever was she that from her manner you
would never have suspected that she knew
anything.
"oh, yes," I answered, Johnny and I
were out on the moor. 1t was a fine night,
and we came through the wood, stopping
once or twice to gather nowersi"
stopped free times!" said Johnny, ac-
eurately.
did you bring any flowers backr" said
Kate, lifting her head for the first time.
II would like to take them up to Babe
Rupert. He likes them. When he is awake
he crows and chuckles over them just won-
d~erfully. He is growing such a clever child.
and so dear-but, ah-how could he be
otherwise?
"Ah how indeedl" sighed Veronica, with
the least trace Of ironic intention.
81 will go out and get the flowers" I
said; Il will take them up to baby my
self. I should like to see him!"
II will tum and help 90 gather themI"
said Johnny.
And hoping to cover the verb which
he had used, and fearful Of other reve-
l~ations, / took him with me gladly. 1
vent into the garden and picked what
Of cornfowers and bluebells, bell heather
and Wild thyme could be found there. Then
I went up to Master Rupert and put the