The Lamar register., 1910-04-20
CHAPTER VII.

Miss Carew habitually came to
Craven across the front lawns and
terraces. but this day she changed her
routine. She made the parks by way
of the main road as she had done on
the stormy night several weeks be-
fore. when she sought Craven for the
first and so boldly demanded inter
view with its master.
As she followed the avenue in the
cold morning she walked through
mist. 1t cleared only to let her fig
ure cut the vapor. which directly
closed behind her again into one Of
the fogs in which winter England
is mysteriously yelled; before her the
shapes of trees indistinctly designed
themselves like seaweed in a muggy
sea.
A little more than three-quarters
of the way up the drive she heard
the trot OF horses feet. and before
she could step aside to permit. as
she supposed. some groom from
Craven to pass her. an equine head
and body doomed so close that she
gave a cry. and the horse was sud
denly drawn back until he almost
reared
The hand on the rein was a wom-
ans. the rider woman. her tri-
cornered hat and coat and lips and
cheeks all scarlet. She exclaimed.
half frightened. half annoyed:
Heaven, I might have hurt you!"
and stared down at the roadside en-
cumbrance-and at sight of Miss
Carew nodded a sort of good-morn-
ing: an expression of quick curiosity
shot across her handsome. hooking
face-"hurt you or been thrown my
self. You're not startled?"
The rider held her horse quiet In
the fog. and mercilessly scrutinized
the young woman. who, dark and
slender, of a loneliness no less marked
than her own. of a grace no less
seductive than her ladyship's. APP
peared to have miraculously unfolded
into existence in the elm avenue
and to have taken form out of fog
and mists. She presented a problem
suggested manifold possibilities and
at least commanded attention.
without excuse or preamble:
You're walking up to Craven
castle?" the rider asked her.
Yes"
You're nearly there. however, but
perhaps you know the way?"
ct think I shall find it,
The pedestrians dress was exces-
sively plain. In her hands she car
rfed little packet which looked like
"A notebook. She had doubtless a
Baedeker up her sleeve.
You're an American"
A slight smile touched the grave
features of the younger woman.
How did you know"
The other laughed frankly.
THE same language. so different in
transatlantic mouths. I mean to say
you speak American Craven isn't
open to visitors. like Penthuen and
the neighboring castles"
moi"
tits shut and barred. might say.
You won't get in.-But I expect you're
a hero-worshipper End are going. to
try for a glimpse Of the great writer?
Your country people rare hero-wor-'
shippers" no 10 lsi- r-sl
Il think we are"
The lady's horse stretched his long,
shining neck. The smoke from bis
nostrils blended with the mist and
stirred the vapor that few away be-
fore his breath. 1t few too around
the head and form of the American
girl and the trim red figure of the lit
tie equestrienne. to whom the mono
syllables of the stranger were battling
and because of her rival beauty an
noyingq
She gathered up her slackened
reins. i've been following the
hounds" she vouchsafed. land I've
cut through Craven by MISTAKEN
a few minutes / shall hear the horn"
She leaned on her pommel. her mind
travelling back to her last interview
with Mr.. Tempest at Penthuen, and
suddenly she exclaimed with sharp
All" OF enlightenment. and as
though she did not relish the discov-
e.y:
why. I've seen you before"
Miss Carew. who knew as well as II
she had seen her daily for years. said:
Il think never
But ,yes-a day or two ago-you
wore red dress-you we're driving
with Mr.. Tempest in a motor. l was
driving behind you to Penthuea."
(TO BE CONTINUED)