Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-05-08

CHAPTER XVI.

Punctuality is most assuredly not
one of Sir Heron's virtues, but the
stable clock has scarcely chimed
eleven when the high dog cart and the
big chestnut, which is at once the awe
and admiration of Newlands, dash
out of the Void gates and rattle along
the smooth roads. Perched on his
elevated seat an in his ulster sits
Heron.
He is quite alone, in accordance
with the stipulation he had made
with Carrie on the preceding night,
and in place of smart groom a pile
of Scotch wraps an Carding water
proofs occupy the back seat.
1t is what hunting men call an open
morning what clouds there are float
lazily above the elms a mild and
amiably disposed sun warns the air
an shines on the chestnut's sleek
coat an the cleaning brass Of the
workmanlike harness. The chestnut
is in the best of humors, and evident
ly means going" and in Sir Heron's
face there is not trace of the rest
less. suspicious pain with which he
stare at the fire last night He looks
indeed, as Vane declared as he
watched him start, "absurdly and in
sanely happy"
Of his mother he has, this morning,
seen nothing, but she has sent down
word by Rose Vavasour that she hopes
L hi oil
Gus to relate, she requested that he
will give 'fher kind regards to Miss
Dalton"
On all sides the social atmosphere,
which only yesterday was dark and
cloudy, has cleared in a most remark
able manner, thanks, as Sir Heron
feels, to the beauty
Rose is a brick" he mutters once
or twice. 81 hadn't given her credit
for such good nature. Yes, she is a
brick, and if she gets as good a hus-
band as I wish he'll be a fine fellow in
deed"
I Yes, Sir Heron Letchford is hap
pier this morning than he had ever
thought it possible that he should be;
and as he steers his chestnut up the
drive of Gresham House and pulls up
at the door there sits on his face a
smile which would much astonish
some Of his old friends who were
wont to call him the cynic.
Scarcely has the chestnut brought
his forefeet with clatter to the
ground than the door opens and Car
RE runs out
Her face is one vast, substantial
smile, which develops into cry of
delight as she looks up at the fiery
chestnut and the lofty "get ready"
she herself having been dressed
twenty minutes ago,
ooh, Sir Heron, what a beautiful
horse! Are we really going to have
him? Do you think he will run away?
1t has been the ambition of my life to
ride in a dog cart with a runaway
horse"
''All right, Carrie" he retorts, wen
try to oblige you. But where's May?"
ooh, putting on her things" says
Carrie, with pout that makes her
lip look like a particularly tempting
cherry. "Of course, she would not go
until she heard you coming. She
said you would be sure to be late
gentlemen always were."
He laughs.
Seems to have a vast knowledge of
gentleman's habits he says. ''Well,
/ daresay he'll wait three minutes"
he adds. stroking the fidgeting horse
with his whip. eff she's longer than
that he will probably fly through the
dining room window, and l won't pay
the gle zier's bill"
Before the three minutes had elaps-
ed tall, girlish figure in sealskin is
seen descending the stairs, and May
comes out. Heron can see her before
she sees him, and Heron notices,
with lovers quickness. that she looks
somewhat pale and-yes, anxious;
but the moment she comes to the door
and looks up TO meet his eager gaze
the color flies to her face and the
anxious look disappears.
Good gracious" she says, with
laugh and a stare. 'HOw are we to
get up-have you brought ladder?"
NO." he says. ''You bargained for
the dog cart and here it is. It's just
as well you should get used to it, my
lady. There's a step down there
you can see it with the naked eye if
YOU look closely. Put your foot on
it and give me your hand"
81 shall most certainly break my
neck" she says, putting her foot on
the two inches of iron; but he grasps
her hand and the next moment she is
landed on the rugs beside him.
Carrie scorns both advice and as
sistance, and Chambers up behind be-
fore he can turn to help her.
But even she looks down from the
terrific height with something like
awe.
'Ts it perfectly balanced?" she asks
laughing because / feel as if | were