The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-06-18
R0INT-T0-POINT.
,sDY M. L. JORDAN.


acting in direct defiance of my
wishes. l object to him most
strongly"
MAY ask on what grounds"
Maud Bretherton stood facing her
uncle, angrier than she had ever
been in the course of not too
smooth existence. Left to his guar
dianship when child, she had learnt
to feel for him a strong affection
and had become accustomed to his
irritable temper and many preju-
dices, bearing the former with gay
philosophy, and humoring or ignor-
ing the latter as best suited the occa-
sion. But during the past few
months philosophy had failed her,
ousted by a stronger forte to which
she might, perhaps, hardly, have
given name, had not her guar
dams opposition forced her to anal
we her feelings ard acknowledge
theS truth.
Sir James passed her question BY.
II suppose YOU are aware that you
are not in position 10 marry with
out my cousent?"
"In so framing his will my father
can only have wished to shield me
from marriage with a man he him
self could not have approved.
"And what would he have said 10
this brush and.palettc artist adven.
turer, may ask? A man whose i've
lihood depends upon the fingers and
thumb, tho smallest accident to
which would entail the ruin Of his
career! 1t is preposterous, and II
YOU had the least shred Of common
sense you would agree with me-"
"Maud's eyes flashed. Mr.. Dickson
Is no adventurer, As you are we'll
aware. his family is as good as our
own; aud as for his profession, it
seems to me ahigher and nobler one
ahat Of sport
Sir Jamescould scarcely believe his
ears; amazement and wrath choked
his utterance, and Maud continued
calmly, and with ring Of scorn in
her young voice.
"Do you suppose I do not know
the real nature Of your objections?
II Alan Dickson we're a hard rider,
a good shot, man bent upon de-
stroying rather than creating the
uncertainty OF his future, the
lack Of a career, would be nothing
10 you; he would be welcomed with
open arms. and YOU would consider
! my choice a perfectly wise and
natural one. l. on the contrary
prefer brush and palette to stable
| and kennel.
1t was heresy rank heresy and in
| reality no girl in that country
loved hound and horn better than
Maud herself: but the provoca.
ton had been great, and the very
expressions of her Indignation
caused It 10 evaporate.
IL beg your pardon, uncle she
said. her face breaking into u
smile. "Yon must rene her that
il mothers was a sportswomep.
father wac a bookworn, and
therefore | am at best but half an
hour"
Sir James was partially Modified.
ut is perfectly absurd. Why l
don't suppose he knows a horses
| fetlOcks from his withers!"
you forget that he has hunted
Oft and on with our pack the whole
of this winter"
More off than on, suspect"
muttered Sir James, pleased at his
own small joke. How could | know
when have been laid hy with this
Internal govt? All know is never
heard eff him as leading the field.
Where did he get his horses2'
occasionally mir. Thurston gave
him mount; more often l have
lent Wanderer.'
lyon have lent him Wanderer9
| What insatiate folly! Why he is the
best hunter You have ever had"
Yes that was my reasOn,' replied
Maud demnrely.
And Dickson managed him?'
Maud thought within herself that
it WAS Wanherer who had managed
Dickson but not for worlds would
she nave cDnIeSSel IL.
"rhey seemed to agree very WE'LL"
was all she said, and added: "By the
way, urclc, have just had letter
from Jack, and he says he cannot get
leave. and cannot. therefore, ride
Wanderer in the Pont-to. Point.
What do you think ! had better do?'
mot get leave? Not ride? What
nons,nce! Is anything in league to
bother and worry zone? Wire to Jack
| that insist upon his cunning.
81 am afraid it is impossible, un-
Gle. Aud Wanderer had such good
chance that II realIyis dreadful dis
Appointment
SisJames glanced at her; there was
a smile in his eyes but she did not
see It, and his voice was gruff as ever
"Why don't you ask Mr.. Dickson to
ride him?"
Maud started visibly, her face
bIanched, and she moved away to-
wards the window. Her uncle s smile
decpened.
Would you be afraid to trust
him, or he afraid to trust himself9"
The TESTING words shattered an
already overtaxed patience.
He shall ride him, and what is
more, he will win; he is not the
milksop you misrepresent him to be.
will go and see about it at once.
II he wins this race will you, at any
rate, allow that he is no coward,
and try to Judge him more fairly9'
BY George! IF he wins the race,
| if he can heat Minton and that gray