Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-01-24
cUAPTER-viI.

MARY tDCkNoOd ma ktScu urf u'att
to Dick Parker without thought Of
Jack Meadows. her uncle. or anyone
else. She seemed to be under a spell
from tho first moment the young
stranger had spoken to her.
And he was n nobicman. She never
doubted Il. Morley said he had the
manners OF an aristocrat. and the cx-
travnsanec OF a prince" lie suggest
cd In mild way that these were tho
very reasons why Mary should beware
of his attentions
Mary said blood cnnoblod mans
actions. II they estimated II no high
iy In horse. why not In n man!
Old Taylor. who entered into the
discussion on the second day OF Park
cr's stay at the Inn. agreed with Mary.
but at the same timr 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
parior. for within "a hours he was on
familiar terms with the household.
Presently. when she was alone. Dick
said: ''will you meet mo in the abbey
this afternoon! I want to say some
thing to you
Cant you say II here?" she replied.
mo: besides. you know all about
the abbey. and would like TO see It
with you
II will ask my uncle" said Mary.
rs that necessary"
Yes" said Mary. well knowing II
was not: but she wished to have an
authorization for tho 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? 7 am 60
ing to fish in the river on the other
side Of the abbey: We might meet on
the banks and then I could talk Of the
monks Of old. OF glee maidens. and the
days Of romance"
Uncle" said Mary. rs old Morley
came into the little room. "can I show
Mr.. Parker the abbey"
II 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 a 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 n shadow Of reproach
in them for his quick. II not abrupt.
declaration.
"I 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 it
was"
"And do you love me?" whispered
Dick, "as love you?"
II think So" said the infatuated
girl
1t Is always the case with your
strong-minded young women who is
never going to marry; heart and fan
cy conquered. she is utterly gone. hope
lessly slave; her love is worship. her
devotion idolatry.
Mary. though she had only known
Dick Parker for a moment as 1t were,
gave him her confidence as II they
had been brought up together from
childhood. as she and Jack Meadows
had.
do you only think so?" he asked.
"I am sure so." she answered; and
the bold wooer stole his arm round
her waist and kissed her.
She sat there as II in a dream-this