The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-07-30

which was crested by the old Lauder
dale mansion could be seen a sweep of
country touched by varying colors-the
russell and crimson of oak and maple,
the green of undulating fields and hills
broken here and there by the gray of
stone walls, the clear flashes of brooks
or stretches of open road
"Gadl What ARR cried Grattan
Richards, tossing back his head and
taking long Whit.
And what a day for hunt" echoed
Rex TeIlingford, looking past Richards
to where Emily Lauderdale was chat
tering to a group of men in red coats,
checking in her horse as the hounds
struggled to be off, straining at their
leashes. with every one in such good
fettle it ought to be great old racer
she laughed, tucking strand of blue
black hair beneath her riding hat.
The eyes of Richards and TeIlingford
met with an understanding CLEAN.
Each was cognizant of the others
thoughts that whoever brought back
the brush that day would win a prize
of far greater value. Both men knew
that their future happiness depended
largely on the mornings run, for EN-
lily was horsewoman from the tip of
her riding boot to the ends of her firm
gauntleted fingers. She set immeas-
urable store by cross country rides,
daring leaps and hairbreadth escapes.
~.
die was equal to Emlly's mind with
saying he could not keep his head
Though l think there are virtues
equally as great as cross country rid
ing smiled gentle Elizabeth Lauder
dale, whose love of outdoor excitement
was neither so deep rooted nor of such
long Inheritance as Emily's.
Emily shook her head.
Dear Aunt Elsie" she answered,
you don't in the least understand, and
Pm sure could never explain. It's
bred in my bone, that's all If l had
lived in the olden days l should have
had tournament-rus of horses,
clashing of spears, splintering of ar
NOR! That's what l call wooing!
No mere ambling up to demand your
heart and hand! And, as l find it hard
to decide between Grattan Richards
and Rex Tellingford, why, fair field
and fair play, and let the best man
win"
Something of this headstrong resolu-
ton stirred in the girl as she turned
suddenly in her saddle and glanced at
the two men. Assured triumph glowed
on the face of Richards Stern deter
mination was written ON Tellingfords.
She gave little nod of satisfaction
They were well matched, these two.
The other members of the Lauder
dale house party were not unaware of
the drama that was being played be-
fore their eyes, and it added to the zest
of the morning as the signal was Civ
en-, the dogs unleashed and the caval-
cade swept gayly down the hill
"Look at that grip gasped Mrs.
Royce Thompson, a novice who pound
ed in her saddle. ''She's actually
But the rest of the words were lost,
for Emily was already in the distance,
galloping at breakneck speed, while at
her heels followed Richards and Tel
lingford The rest of the hunt stream
ed after them. Luck seemed to favor
Richards. His mares feet scarcely
touched the earth. She took fences
and burrows like a winged creature.
Tellingford was not SO fortunate. At
the brink of a stream he was forced
to pause and fasten his saddle girth.
Partly from excitement and partly
from annoyance he fumbled with it
longer than he had intended, and when
he raised his head the others were al
ready far afeld, Emily Lauderdale and
Richards still in the lead. The hounds
had scented their quarry and were in
full cry
Tellingford considered. There was
crosscut that he had tried once before
It lay through bitches and brambles
and was intersected by five bar fences
Still anything at a pinch, and he would
back Fleetfoot against every mare in
the county. He congratulated himself
on this decision some moments later
rs Fleetfoot went forward at a pace
that justified her name. Her course
now lay across wide meadows filed
with lush grass and starred here and
there by purple asters and skirted by
low stone walls. in whose crumbling
chinks vines twisted and across whose
loose stones squirrels skipped and
chartered.
bravo, old girlv' cried Tellingford, |
his hand on FIeetfoot's glossy neck, |
gently urging her forward. At that |
moment there reached him sharply and
pierclngly the bitter cry of a child.
Tellingford drew rein. BY the wall,
circling ditch that Fleetfoot was
about to take. lay small, chubby fig
ure one hand full of flowers.
"Pricked himself with brambles,"
thought Telllngford. Aloud he said:
"Cheer up. sonny! Men never cry
for q scratch" He was for urging
Fleetfoot on again when the inertness
Of the little heap by the wall smote
home to him. He checked his horse
and dismounted. An instant later he
stood with the helpless burden in his
arms. The child's yellow head rested |
hung limp across his own. With an
understanding almost human. Fleet
foot stood by the wall like a bronze
statue while Tellingford mounted and |
then went slowly back across the |
meadows toward the road The child, |
recovering from his stupor, began to
sob. Tellingford soothed him with
tender awkwardness and was guiding
Fleetfoot to the first farmhouse by the |
roadside when woman ran down the
path leading to the door, untying her
checked apron as she went. Her back
was toward the approaching trio.
"Bobby," she cried, Bobby
The boy stirred in Tellingford's arms. |
81 think 1 have found your boy, mad
am called Tellingford gently and in |
three seconds more was speeding for |
the village physician. The sounds of |
the hunt had long since died in the dis
lance.
1t was afternoon when Tellingford |
reached the Lauderdales. From the |
dining room came sounds of talking |
and laughter. In the hall he met EN-
lily Lauderdale. There was q look on |
her face that he had never seen before.
I'm awfully sorry" he began, abrupt
ly twisting the crop of his riding whip |
in his hand, "but you see"- He paused
and could go no further. He was a
man who always found it easy to tell
of the good deeds of others, but baked |
when 1t came to the recital
of his own. He muttered something |
about loose stones, mud
dy ditch and bad fall.
Emily Lauderdale surveyed him with
cool scorn.
For a muddy fall your coat is the
most conspicuously spotless garment |
that l have ever seen," she returned
dryly.