Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-02-24
THE SILvERMEAOE
HUNT
Winning the Prize In an In.
expected Manner.
By CONSTANCE DARCY MAcKAY

@@@@@@@@~%%%%@@%@%%%%%@%@@
1t was a clear. bracing day toward
the LIST of November, and from the hill
which was crested by the old Lauder
dale mansion could be seen sweep OF
country touched by varying colors-
the russet and crimson Of oak and ma
pie. 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.
what air." cried Grattan Richards,
tossing back his head and taking a
long Whit.
And what a day for hunt" ech-
oed Rex Tellingford, looking past
Richards to where Emily Lauderdale
was chattering 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 race" she laughed. tucking IL
strand Of blue black hair beneath her
riding hat.
The eyes Of Richards and Tellingford
met with an understanding CLEAN.
Each was cognizant Of the others
thoughts-that whoever brought back
the brush that day would win 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 boots to the ends Of her firm
gauntleted fingers. She set immeasur-
able store by cross country rides. dar-
ing leaps and hairbreadth escapes. TO
say a man could not keep his saddle
was equal in Enily's mind to saying
he could not keep his head.
Though think there are virtues
equally as great as cross country rid
ing" smiled gentle Elizabeth Lauder
dale. whose love Of outdoor excitement
was neither 80 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
I'm sure I could never explain. It's
bred in my bone. that's all. If had
lived In the Olden days l should have
had tournament-rushing Of horses
clashing Of spears. splintering Of ar
NOR! That's what call wOoing!
No mere ambling up to demand your
heart and hand! And, as l find 1t 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
minadon 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 1t added to the zest
If the morning as the signal was
given the dogs unleashed and the
cavalcade swept gayly down the hill.
Look at that girl!'' gasped Mrs.
Royce Thompson. II novice. who pound
ed in her saddle. she's actually
But the rest was lost. for Emily was
already in the distance. galloping at
breakneck speed. while ut her heels
followed Richards and TellingfOrd.
The rest Of the hunt streamed after
them. Luck seemed to favor Richards.
His mares feet scarcely touched the
earth. She took fences and burrows
like winged creature. Tellingford
was not 50 fortunate. At the brink Of
Z stream he was forced to pause and
fasten his saddle girth. Partly from
excitement and partly from annoyance
he funibled with 1t longer than he had
intended. and when he raised his head