The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-11-21
CHAPTER X.


done for her-were it to the shedding
Of blood?
He had scarcely finished Arion's tot
let when Miss Tempest opened the sta
BILE door and looked in, ready to mount.
She had her hunting-cap, with the
strong horn hook for opening gates,
her short habit, and looked altogether
ready Tor business.
Hadn't L better come with you.
Miss?" Bates asked, as he lifted her
into her saddle.
'No, Bates. You are dismissed, you
know. 1t wouldn't do for you to take
one of Captain Carmichael's horses.
He might have you sent to prison for
horse stealing"
so he might" said Bates. grinning
Il reckon he's capable of it. But
checked him pretty strong. Miss Voy-
let The thought o. that'll always be
a comfort to me. You wouldn't hav'
knowed me for your feyther's old sar-
want if you'd heard me-"
open the gate" said Vixen. 81 am
going out by he wilderness"
Bates opeaei the gate under the old
brick archway and Vixen rode slowly
away.
At last Bria- wood came in sight
above the darh clumps of beech and
oak-a white portico. shining lamp-lit
windows. The sodgegate stood hos
pitably open ane Violet rode in with
out question anG up to the pillared
porch. Roderick Tawdrey was stand
ing in the porch.
why, Violet, what has happened?"
he asked, with an alarmed look.
1t seemed to him that only sudden
death or dire calamity could bring her
to him thus, in the late cleaning, pale
and deeply moved Her lips trembled
family as she LODGED at him, and for
the moment she could find no words 20
tell her trouble.
What is it, Violet" he asked again,
holding her gloved hand in his, and
looking up at her, full ST sympathy and
concern.
Not very much, peshaps, in your
idea of things. but it seems great
deal to me. And it has put me into a
trem endous passion. / eave come to
ask you to do me a favcg."
"A thousand favors, if you wish, and
when they are all granted the obliga-
ton shall be still on me- side. But
come into the drawing-room and rest,
and let me get you some tea-lemon-
your long ride"
Nothing, thanks. am n,st going to
get off my horse. i must cot lose a
moment Why, it must be after pine
already, and Captain Carmichael locks
up the house at eleven
Rorie did not care to tell hss that it
was on the stroke of ten He called
In a stentorian tone for servant, and
told the man to get Blue Peter saddled
that instant.
Where's your groom. Violet?" he
asked, wondering to SIC he. unat-
tended.
81 have no groom That's just what
I came to tell YOU Captain Car
michael has dismissed Bates at min
ute's warning, without a character"
Dismissed old Bates, your fathers
II would rather not .ell you that.
The alleged reason is an insult to me.
I can tell you that it IL not for dis
honesty, or lying, or insolence, or
any act the a good servant need be
ashamed of. The poor OLD man is cast
of for fault of miner for an act
of mine which Capta,a Carmichael
-. g. Il. &c
of doors, homeless, without a charac-
ter, after forty years G. faithful SER
vice He was with my grandfather,
you know. Now, Rorie, want you to
take Bates into your sesvice. He is
not so ornamental as 7oung man,
perhaps, but he is ever 40 much more
useful. He is faithful ana Industrious,
for sick horses, and / have heard my
dear father say that he knows more
than the common run If veterinary
surgeons. / don't think y9u would find
him an incumbrance. Row, dear
Rorie," she concluded. csaxingly, with
innocent childish entreaty. almost as
IL they had still been children and
playfellows. Il want you TO do this
for mel want you to tske Bates"
Why, you dear, simple-minded
baby, / would take a regiment OF
Bateses for your sake"
Rorie's ready promis. had revived
her spirits She felt tiiat, after all
there was such thing as friendship
In the world Life was DOT altogether
blank and dreary. She forgot that her
old friend had given hinlself away to
another woman. She hxd a knack OF
forgetting that little fact when she and
Rorie were together.
And now good night / must &c
home as fast as / can
$50 you must, but ala coming with
you" answered Rorie.
Indeed, there is no reason for you
to come" cried Vixen. Il know every
incn of the Forest"
VERY likely; but / an going with
you all the same"
A groom led out Bsue Peter, a
strong, useful looking hack which Mr.
Vawdrey kept to do his dirty work
hunting in bad weather. night work
and extra journeys of all kinds. Rorie
was in the saddle and by ViAen's side
without a minutes lost TINE. and they
were riding out of the grounds into
the straight road.
They rode for considerable time in
silence Vixen had seld I'm seen her
old friend so thoughtful.
what a beast that Carmichael is.
said Rorie when they go2 TO the bot
tom of the hill, as if he had been al
this time arriving at an opinion about
Violet's step-father. Tn. afraid he
must make your life miserable"
He doesn't make it particularly hap
py," answered Violet, quietly; but
never expected to be happy after
mamma married"
HE is a wretch and should like tc
shoot him." said Rorie. vindictively
Dear little Vixen-yes, / must call