The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-29


 hunter, turned in his saddle and ! stared at his companion in sur E prise.
 But why didn't you tell me all this be- fore?" he demanded
 Miss Eleanor Drayton leaned forward and stroked the sleek neck of her horse refiectively. Because you did not seem interested, suppose" she answered slowly. Be sides, I did not think that it would make much difference. The whole matter ap- peared to be such a purely business ar rangement. You see, I was knocked down to the highest bidder by my father, who Is the licensed auctioneer-"
 But surely you consented of your own free will?" he observed helpessly.
 .'When you asked me to marry you." she went on, regardless of the interrup- tion, you did so in purely formal way that made sentiment superfiYous. It was simple business transaction, so far as I can see, so why not keep it on that basis? You are naturally anxious to clear your estates, and father Is ambitious for title for his daughter. I don't see that sentiment should enter into the things at all.'' She raised her pretty face and her big, blue eyes looked into his quite frankly.
 For a moment Lord Abbington stared at her in dismay; then the blood crept into his lean, Norman face and sudden gleam flashed from his stony gray eyes. Just for a moment he saw himself as he must appear to his golden-haired girlish finance and the picture was not an at tractive one. Moreover, he realized that the conditions had changed in the month that had passed since the announcement of their engagement, and with quick catch of his breath he appreciated for the first time that his marriage of con- venience had suddenly resolved itself into something beyond mere figures and set dement's.
 '.Am I to understand he asked slowly, ''that you consented to marry me against your own free will"
 Hardly that" she answered coldly, s'but-"
 Are you in love with any one else?' he asked a trifie thckly.
 She laghed lightly, yet with hard, little ring in her voice.
 ''The else Is quite superfuous. I am not in love with any one. my dear fiance, but, as I was about to remark you are not very well acquainted with my father, the Honorable John Drayton, ex-ambas- sadop to-
 Do you mean to say that your father forced you into this marriage?" inter rupted Abbington.
 Forced is rather too strong a word '' she replied critically. 'What I mean is that I fear my home life would be no longer pleasant if I were to deliberately throw away the opportunity of becoming Lady Abingdon
 Lord Abbington savagely twisted his short, black mustache.
 Let's canter," he said briefly. DO you mind?"
 She nodded brightly, slackened the curb rein, and at the same time lightly touch ing her horse with the spur. They sprang forward together and dashed around the bend of the road and on down a short stretch with the gloriously tinted autumn woods on either side At the next bend the timber stopped, and beyond lay a broad view of open meadow.
 Let's cross here!'' she panted. I've strike the turnpike about mile on the other side.''
 A set of low bars guarded the en- trance to the field.
 Right said Lord Abingdon hriehy. AS her horse leaped forward. he re1ned in slightly to give her room. noting with an odd pang the skill and ,ia .ing with which she took the leap. Ills own big hunter lumbe over easily in h CT wake and soon they galloped side by Side across the springy turf clea 2 neck and neck a shallow dram, then sweeping on freely through a little wood to where high gate barred ,hr, entrance to a road.
 Wait" he said imperatis ely and dashed On ahead
 She watched him in some anxiety as he rode straight for the jump rather nasty one. She saw his big. raw boned thoroughbred squat for mo- ment on his launches. then lurca straight upward. clearing the gate awkwardly but with apparent ease, landing heavily on the other side. when he shook his ugly head in anger at the strong, restraining tug upon fine rein that stopped him almost in his tracks.
 Lord Abbington dismounted quickly and threw open the gate. .5lie rather liked his doing so from the opposite Side.
 About this marriage he said sfd- denly after he had mounted and they were walking slowly to breathe tn cir horses. Its a bit rough on me, you know, Eleanor. I think that l would be kind to you, and fancy you would like the life at home. When l asked you to marry me, I will admit it was a bit cold -blooded. but didn't love you then, and I wasn't going to lie about it. supposed of course, that you wanted to marry me, and-and all that ye know, but what you've just said, puts quite different face to it..
 "Why?p she asked. looking down at the road ahead.
 "Why?" he answered fercely, the color rushing to his hard, w.athe-- beaten face. "Why-why, because I love you, Eleanorw The color faded sudden ly. leaving him quite pale. \ There was a moments silence, while } the horses fretted impatiently to be off again Lord Abbington, gnawing the cor nor of his straight under lip stared mood fly at the distance ahead.
 A firm little hand dropped lightly on his arm, and Eleanor leaned suddenly toward him. He glanced at her and mo-