Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-10
CHAPTER Y.
On the Shore.

away to School, ana the lslano hhe"
her no more for years.
Luncheon was over at Tempest Hal,
and Basil Hawkstone stood at WIN
dow. looking out on the windy downs
and the wide, blue sea-
"I wish, Vera" he said, that could
interest you a little in my island peo-
pie"
She was playing with her child, a
pale, puny year-old, dressed in fleece
Of finest embroidery. In truth, she
looked like a child herself, with her
curly, gold tresses and dimpled, daz-
cling fairness. AS her husband spoke
she tossed the little island heiress irri-
tably into the, arms Of her nurse.
You cannot, BASIL" she answered,
frowning. "Emphatically, you cannot!
1 want to go to some Of your American
watering -places-Newport or Saratoga
This island will do very well for Bee
and her nurse, perhaps, but not for
me; and as for the people here, what
are they to me, pray, and why should
I interest myself in them?"
His love for her was still strong
With a mischievous light in his eyes,
he said:
Come to the window, Vera, and see
a product Of this despised island wait
ing here for your acceptance"
She went curiously. In the gravel
driveway by the stone porch stood
man servant holding two horses; one,
saddled for a lady's use, was a snow
white beauty.
iron sinewed and satin skinned,
Ribbed like drum, and limbed like
deer"
His arching neck and eye Of liquid
fire made Vera Hawkstone clap her
hands rapturously.
ooh, Basil, do you mean that beau
tlful darling for me?-do you?"
Yes, he is yours, Vera" Hawkstone
answered, lightly. Fine horses have
long been a special product of the is
land. Harris, the overseer, sends
large number yearly to the mainland
markets. Come, make ready, and we
will take a gallop across my little king
dom, and you shall see something more
Of 1t than can be discerned from these
windows"
She flew off like q bird. In an in
credibly short time she was back again,
dressed in a close habit Of dark-bfue
cloth, with a cream colored plume in
her round hat, and cream-colored
gauntlets on her little, white hands.
Her blue eyes danced with delight
Without any assistance from her hus-
band or the waiting groom, she sprang
into the saddle and began to caress the
silvery neck and abundant name Of
the animal with more fondness than she
ever bestowed on little Bee, for Vera
Hawkstone was not an affectionate
mother.
"Oh, what darling!" she cried. I'm
the whole world there is nothing love
like a good horse Don't frown, Prince
Lucifer-it is a passion born with me.
That which is bred in the bone must
come out in the flesh, you know"
They. cantered out through the gate
into the island road, and away over the
undulating commons, swept now by
salt wind from the sea. She rode mar
velously WELL sitting as square as
die on her saddle and swaying lightly,
easily, to every movement Of the ami
mal-a thorough horsewoman, we'll
trained in her art. Hawkstone had his
match to keep pace with her She
looked back at him gayly, her yellow
hair blown in clusters over her PALE
star-like face, the fever Of old desires
waking in her eyes.
Il shall call this beast ALI" she cried;
after the Arabian that l used to ride
in Hattons Royal Circus-don't you re-
member? How I have mourned for
poor Ali, though he was vicious brute.
and came within an ace Of killing me
in the ring, one night, in Liverpool.
Now your face grows thunderous,
Prince Lucifer-by-t the-way, Vincents
nickname suits you admirably. You do
not like to hear me talk Of my past
life"
Very true" he answered, dryly.
But must, sometimes. 1t comes
before me with such force that should
die II I could not speak of 1t. My
father taught me to ride when wasn't
more than a baby. He was groom
but you vince, so let that pass. Al
least, he knew what good riding was
and he used to say. even then, that
lA
else. Poor papa! when was twelve
years old he went to ride In Hatton
Royal Circus and took me with him;
and a year after he was killed one
night, doing a double pirouette on
horseback-he had been drinking, OF
something. I was heartbroken for
while, but everybody in the Royal,
from Hatton himself to the boys about
the vans, petted me continually, and
Just then made a great hit riding All
and so was consoled. Don't you re-
member the night l first saw you, Ba-
sil-how the people were applauding
me?"
II remember everything, Vera" he
answered, with a mortified look
Heaven knows your early education
was sadly neglected. I have tried
have I MOTTO teach you something
in the two years that you have beer
my wife,"
She tossed her yellow curls.
Pooh, dry, bookish stuff! l was moi
born to be a scholar. 1 care only fol
a horse like Ali, and suitable place ir
which to try his mettle."
He frowned.
my stables are full Of horses, all as
good as Ali, and you have the whole
island for your riding ground"
She gave a short laugh.
"Here-this Robinson Crusoe desert
Basil, want an audience, lights, mu'
sic, and plenty Of applause. To be ad'
mired, worshiped, is life itself to some
women"
His handsome brows contracted omi.