Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-04-29
1T is the Marquis of Merle, Miss.'

1t is the Marquis OF Merle, Miss
he said.
CHAPTER ~.
Lucille flushed, then she bowec
and was driving On, but the marqui
stood, with his hat in his hand in suci
a manner that she felt compelled t.
stop.
Harry Herne got out, raised his hat
and stood by the ponies heads, hi
eyes fixed On vacancy.
Good morning, Miss Darracourt,
said the marquis. II was going up tt
the court to ask if I could be of am
service to you. I am glad to fine
you out on this beautiful morning"
Il was driving" said Lucille, rather
lamely, and & little nervously.
We'll, l mustn't keep YOU" be
said, unless, perhaps-but it is {
/ great think to ask"
Lucille looked up at him inquiring
| ly, wishing to Heaven he would go
Harry Herne stood like a statue, &
statue of Saxon loneliness, at the
| ponies heads.
| Il was going to ask you to be sc
| gracious as to take me to the Court
/ said the marquis.
Certainly" she said.
The marquis got in, taking the only
vacant place, Harry Herne's.
How kind and gracious Of you!"
Lucille looked from him to Harry
Herne; the marquis leaned back as
if 1t were merely a groom standing
there. What was Lucille to do?'
Let them go, please" she said
trying to speak carelessIy.
Harry Herne released the ponies,
and came up to her side
DO not touch them with the whip
he said, in low voice, land do not
turn sharply, Miss"
VERY WELL" she said, and the next
moment the ponies shot off.
Harry Herne stood, and looked after
them, with pale, set face and folded
arms; then, without a word, he
struck across the park for the Court,
with lowered head and constrained
lips.
So lovely a morning as this is a fit
ting welcome to you, Mis- Darracourt,"
said the marquis. II hope you are sat
isfied with your inheritance?"
"Oh, yes said Lucille, hurriedIy.
ut is beautiful and grand, and almost
too wonderful"
She did not look at him; his pres
ence made her uncomfortable and
nervous. She had felt no fear Of
the ponies while Harry Herne was by
her side, but now she got confused
and jumbled up the reins, and pulled
at them aWkwardly.
"a beautiful pair of ponies" said
the marquis. Rather badly broken
l am afraid. They are making you
tired. Will you let me driver"
ooh, thanks, will your" responded
Lucille, with a sigh of relief, as she
held out the reins to him.
7 shall be delighted" he said.
They would go much quieter if they
were not so tightly refined up. will
alter the bearing reins. There, it is
all right now" he added, as he I'M
fastened the bearing reins and got in.
AS a matter of fact the spirit of
mischief which lies just under a
pOny's skin, always ready to break
out, was now up and rising, and hav-
ing been given their heads by the
kind-hearted marquis, they played up
the stereOtyped tricks to their fullest
satisfaction.
Very badly broken indeed" said
the marquis; that man should never
be allowed to break a horse, Miss
Darracourt, believe me-
ooh, don't whip them!' said Lucille,
quickly. He specially cautioned me
net to" The marquis lips compress
sed, and with pleasant smile he gave
the ponies cut which looked playful.
but was vicious, and hurt them.
They turned, but instead of stopping
ran up the low bank and got on to
the short, smooth grass; and when
their heels felt the welcome footing
they whispered wickedly to each other
and bolted in right good earnest.
Don't be alarmed" muttered the
marquis through his teeth. 81 will pull
them up directly. Pray do not be
alarmed,'
Before them. to her horror, Lucille
saw the edge of a plantation. II the
ponies reached that in their wild STAN
pede, she, ignorant as she was, knew
that the carriage must be dashed to
pieces and themselves!
Lucille put up her hands In a wild
appeal to Heaven; but the words that
left her white lips were:
Harry! Harry
Another moment would have meant
destruction; but before the moment
came a man sprang from the planta-
tion-from the sky, it seemed!-and
hurled himself upon the ponies.
There was a shock-a wild confu-
sion; a plunging Of the forelegs. snorts
of terror and rage, and then the car
riage was brought to standstill.
Lucille rose and looked, and the
first thing she saw was Harry Herne,
half lying on the ground with the reins
close to the bit, grasped in his hands.
the veins starting on his forehead,
from which the blood was running In
a small rivulet. The next second he
was up, tall and straight, with his face
turned towards the marquis with q
look upon it she would never forget
She got out and staggered rather