Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-09-13
CHAPTER 9

Hunt dawned with all the perfection
of early April and there was yet a
sting in the atmosphere which drew
pale roses into Helena's face as, seat
ed beside a silent bridegroom-elect,
she whirled her roadster up the long
drive into the club grounds.
Already platoons of cars were park
ed about the fine old grey stone club
house, while from behind it, like the
music of Nimrod, came the impatient
yelping and barking Of hounds in the
kennels.
When the car stopped, Peter CLAN
ced briefly at the figure beside him
and grimaced, for Helena Merwin sat,
her chin sunk into buff camePs coat,
staring fixedly at the instruments on
the dashboard.
"Come on, Helena darling" he
prompted with an ironical tone to the
endearment which stung her like the
lab of a needle, eff we're going thru
with this merry little farce, let's look
the part. 1 declare, you almost look
conscience stricken"
Desperately near the verge OF tears,
Helena fought to keep her self-control.
If only Peter did not despise her so.
Stiffly correct in manner Peter Of
fered his arm to Helena and led her IN
doors, there to join the throng already
slipping coffee and helping themselves
to portions of scrambled eggs and sau-
sage which were heaped in lavish pro-
fusion upon silver service that had
been old long before the first hunting
horn was winded in America.
Quite as colorful as the gathering
for the Hunt Ball was this company,
but nevertheless it was different
crowd. There were more red and
brown faces, less pink ones, and in
finitely fewer women.
"a good morning" greeted broad
shouldered young giant clad IN the
dark green livery of Hanging Rock
Hunt. "Could you tell me where the
meet is scheduled"
GIN Fielding's Pasture" Peter in
formed him with his infections smile.
"We'n undoubtedly find fox in the
covert to the east the place teens
with them. Oh, by the way, you hav-
emit hunted with US before, have you?"
"No, but I've always looked forward
to it."
"Well, here's a tip. In case fox
is found at Llewelyn's Four Corners,
he'll probably break to the south (they
most all do) down long slope
Llewelyn's Hill, it's called"
The younger mans clear brown eyes
sparkled with expectation and Helena,
a step or two away, listened curiously,
though she knew very well what the
engineer was going to say.
"Well, at the foot of that hill there's
a bad spot-it's called Renard's Ven
geance."
"The devil you say?" The guest
looked up with sudden interest. Rem
ards Vengeance, Ell? What quaint
name?"
eyes," explained Peter, his clean
cut bronzed features suddenly grave.
<'The story of Renard's or Rennert's
Vengeance the farmers call it
goes back long way. I suppose the
place got christened- that way after
a good many fox hunters broke their
necks there. Everybody about Bal
timore knows of it and is careful. You
see, the fox going away down Lew
elyn's Hill generally runs through
Rennert's Vengeance, little pass be-
tween two very steep hills. The pass
is narrow, but to make it worse
there's an old mine digging on the
right side, making it even narrower
and just beyond the gap there's ditch
which must be negotiated"
"a nice spot" grinned the guest,
brushing a crumb Of toast from his
dark green sleeves. 81 hope we go
that way-I'd like to see it"
"I'm only telling you," laughed Pc
ter. you'll be all right, for every
body's careful in there"
"Thanks"
Very quickly the huntsmen and
huntswomen finished breakfast and
settled down to the business of mount
ing up in preparation for the actual
hunt.
(Which of your string are you go
ing to ride?" inquired Peter as he and
Helena headed TO rthe stalls"
CT don't know" was Helena's
muffled reply. 81 haven't decided
She looked and felt very tired, as
girl does when she has not closed her