Evening star., 1922-07-23

Gus Cedar brook-that he found him.
self next to Molly Gollanfield.
Streaming up the other side were
hounds, with Joe Mathers safely over
the water and fifty yards behind
them. Two or three others were level
with him, riding wide to his flank
but the secretary's eyes were fixed or
man in ratcatcher who was jus,
ramming an obviously firing horse al
the brook. With a faint grin, he
noted the place he had selected to
one familiar with the country as be
ing the best and firmest take-off. H,
watched the horse rise, just fail tc
clear, stumble and peck badly. He
saw the rider literally lift it on it.
legs again and sail on with barely q
perceptible pause. And then hi
glanced at Molly Gollanf1eld.
We'll ridden, well ridden" The
girls impulsive praise at a consum.
mate piece Of horsemanship made him
smile little grimly.
THEY flew the brook simultane.
ously, young Dawson a few yards
side Of the valley.
"Who is that man in front, Uncle
David?" called out the girl. It's a
treat to watch him ride"
"His name, so he tells me, is John
Marston," said the secretary quietly
Has he ever been out with us be-
fore?"
They breasted the hill as she spoke
to find that the point had ended with
kill in the open. For a few minutes
no one could think or speak of any.
Capt. Malvin. in one of the Lancer
regiments, who recalled the mysteri-
Gus stranger to the girls mind.
who is that fellow in ratcatcher
major?' Malvin was standing by her
as he spoke. and the girl glanced
round to find the subject of his in
terest
He had dismounted twenty or thirty
yards away. and was making much
Of his horse, which was completely
cooked.
Sd" MIN HI
marked young Dawson. How the
devil did he manage to get here on
that?"
by a process known as riding
sa id Malvin briefly. "If you mounted
that man on a mule he'd still be- at
the top of a hunt. eh. Miss Gollan-
field?"S
But Molly Gollanfield was staring
fascinated at the stranger. Who did
you say it was. Uncle David?" Her
voice was low and tense, and Malvin
glanced at her in surprise.
John Marston," returned the sec
retary slowly, ''is the name he gave
me-"
And at that moment the man in
ratcatcher looked at the girl.
John Marston." she faltered. why
-why-it's Danny! Danny, thought
you were dead"
She walked her horse toward him
and held out her hand, while a won
derful light dawned in her eyes.
Danny" she cried, don't you re-
member me?"
GRADUALLY the look of joy faded
" from her face. to be replaced by
one of blank amazement. For the
man was looking at her as IL she had
been a stranger. Then, with a cour-
teous bow, he removed his hat.
You are the second person
madam, who has made that mistake
this morning. My name is John
Marston."
But the girl only stared at him in
silence and shook her head.
I've been watching you ride,
Danny" she said at length, "and just
think of it didn't know you! What
a blind little fool I was. wasn't II"
"I don't see how you could be ex-
pected to recognize me. madam" an
swered the man. Il hope your have
as good a second run as the one
we've Just had. I'm afraid this poor
old nag must go stablewards."
He looped the reins over his arm
and once more raised his hat as he
turned away.
"But, Danny" cried the girl. little
wildly, you can't go like this!"
"Steady. Molly" Young Dawson
was standing beside her. looking a
little ruffed. "I don't know who the
devil Danny is OF was, but this fellow
says he's John Marston. You can't
60 throwin' your arms round q
strangers neck in the huntin' field.
It's simply not done"
when I require your assistance on
what Is or is not done. Mr. Dawson, ]
will let you know" returned the girl
coldly. Until then kindly keep such
information to yourself"
Mr.. Dawson" The youth recofled
a pace. Molly. what do you mean?'
But the girl was taking not the
slightest notice Of him. Her eyes
we're fixed on the stranger, who was
talking for moment to David
Dawlish.
You forgot to take my cap" he
said to the secretary with q smile.
1T you like, I will send it along by
post, or. If you prefer it. have 1t on
mo now"
At that moment 1t occurred. Per-
n haps it was q horse barging into
the blacks quarters, perhaps 1t was
the sudden flash Of young Dawson's
cigarette case In the sun. perhaps