Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-02

riding hard. They topped the first fence in style, swept over stubble, rose to the next leap and disap- pearsd. The members swarmed down the steps and mounted. Manton was ia poor rider and eyed his new pur. chase with some misgiving. This was a great black horse, trim and power. full, with a good deal of mane and his tail unbanged. His nostrils lined with pink were fiaring and his eyes rolling wickedly showed a great deal of white. The groom with him hung to his bit and had a pale face. The horse struck once at the groom with forefoot, but missed him. The groom swore in fear. Manton had taken a dozen lessons in a riding school, slipped his boot into the stir. rup and swung up cleverly enough Once up, however, it seemed a long way to the ground, and he did not expect to return there, except in a half somersault. The Master of the Hounds gave the halloa, while Man. ton was still tightly gripping the sad. dle with his knees and the bridla with his fingers. The great party leaped forward instantly spreading out like fan as it went, each rider choosing a taking off place for the first fence. Hard-held, the black horse reared straight upright and Manton was glad to loosen the rein. Then the Gravemaker bounded out and was away.
 Manton believed the horse to be vicious, but knew him to be trained hunter of high speed and power and was too wise to attempt to check him or rein him in as they neared the leap. Instead, he dug in his knees while the reins went slack and Grave. maker took it like a bird, landing lightly on the farther side and im- mediately reaching into his stride. Manton found himself not only seat ed, but firmly seated. There had been no shock and, so far as he could see, no danger of falling.
 Good jump!'' a gay voice called near him and looking cautiously to his right he saw Miss Granger, 30 yards away, even with him and riding like a professional hands we'll down and head tilted back, a, smile on her lips. He called to her and their horses rose simultaneously at the next fence, going over with foot to spare. Another fence was cleared and then ploughed field.was struck. In this heavy going Miss Granger dropped back; her mount was lighter and she was riding with care; but Manton had no judgment and the big black pounded on. He took the fence at the farther side without slacken- ing. Indeed, his hunting blood was up and he was having such fun that he forgot to be vicious. The brook came next. Then more fences. Glancing around Manton saw Willie Delay to his left, riding his new horse, whose chest was flecked with foam. Beyond him was Reggy Van Duyck and a hundred yards to his right was Algy Remsen boring in toward him. He suspected no design in their presence, but was suddenly conscious that they had drawn in upon him, riding now not five yards apart, and that the pace had in- creased to a hurricane drive. The Gravemaker was fully extended now and his great limbs were spurning the ground. Two fields ahead of them were the dogs with bellies to the ground, streaming along with noses up and tails rigid.
 Fifty yards further a hedge ran athwart their path-a high stiff | hedge of briar and rail and on the l hither side a long deep gash in the | earth, the ten foot ditch, with the l barrier beyond. Manton noted it ]
 -S- Y Wi1lie's face and his cheeks were | nearly as green as the absinthe. The l others he did not note.
 Five seconds passed and then the mighty muscles under him punched and gathered for the effort. Next l moment he felt that he was sailing to the clouds The ditch and the hedge shot under him like a ribbon. Then he knew that he was over. Looking back he saw Willie rising from the soil, where he had been thrown in the new hunters fall. The horses of the two other men had re- fused the leap.
 He was in at the death of the ainse- seed bag three minutes later and the huntsman, smug-faced Englishman the FOX SHlIcSs udAuCd 1A1AA GlS brush with a grin. It was brush kept for such hunt. Miss Granger rode up little later and Manton handed the brush to her.
 ''I should have told you last night" he said, ''that I was party to that wager" * ..+. 5
 ''You became party after I had told you of it?" she asked.
 'Yes.'
 She pondered a moment and saw the motives that had swayed him and she gave him her hand coyly. but frankly.
 "I am glad" she said. ..