Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-05-28

groom swore in fear Manton had
taken dozen lessons in a riding
school. slipped his boot into the STIR
rup and swung up cleverly enough
Once up. however, it seemed long
way 20 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
die with his knees and the bride
with his fingers. The great party
leaped forward instantly spreading
out like a 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 i'll his knees
while the reins went slack and Grave
maker took it like a bird, landing
lightly on the farther side and i'm
mediately reaching into his stride
Mant6n 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, 50
yards away, even with him and riding
like a professional, hands well 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 a foot
to spare. Another fence was cleared
and then a ploughed field was stru"N'
In this heavy going Miss Granger
dropped back; her mount was lighter
and she was riding with care; but
Manton mad 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.
CHANGING around Manton saw Willie
Delay 10 his left, riding his new
horse. whose chest was hecked with
foam. Beyond him was Reggy Van
Duyck and a hundred yards to his
right was Algy Remsen boring in
toward him. lie suspected no design
in their presence, but wac suddenly
conscious that they had drawn in
upon him, riding now not five yards
apart. and that the pace had in
creased to 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 wards further a hedge ran
athwart their path-a high stiif
hedge of briar and rail and on the
hithcr side long deep cash in the
earth, the ten foot ditch, with the
barrier beyond. Manton noted it
and felt a little sickish. He saw
W;liie's face and his cheeks were
nearly as green as the absinthe. The
others he did not note.
Five seconds passed and then the
mighty muscles under him punched
and gathered for the effort. Next
moment lie 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.
lie was in at the death of the ainse-
seed bag three minutes later and the
| huntSman, a Smug-laceu EH9iISHIudh
from the fox shires, handed him the
brush with a grin. 1t was brush
kept for such hunt. Miss Granger
rode up a little later and Manton
handed the brush to her.
81 should have told you last night"
he said, chat l was a party to that
wager"
You became a party after l had
told you of it?" she asked.
eyes"
She pondered moment and saw
the motives that had swayed him
and she gave him her hand coyly, but
frankly.
81 am glad" she said.