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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 18, 1900)
I 10 THE OMAHA DAILY HUE: SUNDAY, XOYEMIVET? 18, 1900. NORMAN HOLT Jrt o ry of the CiViT War 2y Qenewl CHARLES KING- (Copyright, 1W. by O. W. Dillingham Co.) . beauty the witching beauty of the soft, chapter i. ClirlHtiiififttlitr In Old Kentneuy. Vlerrlly Hqucakcd the fiddles. Merrily tang tho rafters with quip and Jest and Joyous mirth, with the Htatnp and swing, and go of the dance. "Right han' across--now do let' dosydo swing yo' pnhdntihs nil han'B roun'," shouted Harkless, black major domo of Ilellovlcw, tho doctor's fa mous homestead, and thcro at tho side board, ladling out eggnog of his own In lmltablo composition, from tho huge silver bowl that had borne for three genera tlons tho arms of the Holts of Surrey thcro In dark bluo clawhammer, with Hat Kilt buttons, In wnlstcont of buff naukeen nd In nowy-frllled choker, thcro stood thn genial, Jovial host himself. In two long lines the dancers advanced, retired, balanced and swung fair, winsome girls I fn tho one huml, bold, stalwurt young gal lunts upon tho other. Along tho walls, on divans, sofas and chairs, gossiped a dozen mnlllng matrons, a sprinkling of elder beaux. At every door and window were kinky, curly or turbancd heads and wido opened oyes of dozens of darky retain ers, whoso nlmhlo feet beat tlmo luces aantly to tho stirring music of "Unc' romp's" black orchestra. Tbrno fiddlea. a viol, a tambo and bones, nil In expert hands, threw Into tho old tunes of "Money Musk" and tho "Virginia Heel" a verve and vlin nnd Hplrlt that tlmo ami again set oven gray heads to bobbing even vet eran, gouty toes to tapping In Irresistible rympnthy. Festoons, garlands and wreatho of evergreen draped tho walls, windows and the hcnvlly-framcd portraits of by gone Holts. Hltvcr llagons and tankards gleamed on inautel and buffet; silver sconces and candelabra with crystal pen dant prisms nnd bristling wax candles shone and Jingled on mantel, wall and Bide board; colored, opalescent lights glowed In dim recesses among tho greens, glass and gourd both furnishing tho enclosing npheres. Foxes' masks grinned nbovo tho broad fireplaces, where tho coals of famous lilcknry logs wero still allvo. boxes brushes, hunting caps, crops, whips und Knurs hung hero and thcro upon tho wall. Ited-berrlcd, sharp-BpIned, dark-leaved liolly stood pert nnd prim In every nook and corner, whllo from tho cross-beams overhead In tho very center of tho big bny-wlndowcd room bung a single spray of paler ashen green, amid whoso curling leaves peeped tiny globes of creamy white, a sprig that vested tho placo beneath with utrango and thrilling Interest, a spot to bo coyly shunned by every maid and ca rorly sought by every man who know tho Having graco of tho thrlco blessed uilstlotoo. and brilliant weru the devlco and strategeni by which each sought to luro unthinking damsels within tho enchanted limits, thcro to claim and tako forfeit of hor forgct fulness, for theso wero tho ante-bellum days In the borderlaud of the Sunny South this was an evening In tho blltho Christ mas holiday season und In an old Ken tucky home. And yet. Ions after 11 at night, only onco or twice, despite tho dangers of tho dance, had damsel been fairly caught, and for thoso two Ixirna Wulton, a bril liant hello from Ioulavlllc, was rightly chargeable, for her gown was a creation Katn Itay of Lexington gave mare thought to than any man In tho room could claim 8he was gazing at this, thinking only of Ibis, when suddenly swung beneath tho en abling parasite and summarily kissed by Henry Holt, tho doctor's eldest, son. That idio was shamed, stung and startled, for tho room resounded with applauso and laughter, helped ber not ono whit. Sho flew at him with blazing cheeks and i '"i i i i nltren In ttio army of an obnoxious gov- Malloy. son of my esteemed friend. Hon. t. the fact that her mother had warned nor the long, stern thane socmen to scout uio rnmcnt. Holt had retired from practice M. Malloy, state sonator, ono ot our lore- of his coming. , inter of those nearny copses, mm nan icu Mil. J. HUKN1STT MALLOY. eyes and furiously threatening llttlo hands, but ho was long and lithe and an expert dodger. "Ah'll pay you somo day, Mlsth Harry Clay Holt," had to he her solo satis faction for tho tlmo bclug. Nor was sho mollified when, hardly twenty minutes later, and possibly through tho sarao cause, pirtty 1m Ward was trapped and plnlonoj and, despite frantic struggles, fairly kissed by a very good looking young guest from Ohio, a comparative strutiger at Hollovlew It wouldn't bavo been bo bad, said Miss Lou, had It been one of their owii set, bo causo KcntucKlans are. always, or nearly always, cousins, and, It not, have kuown each other w long und well they are Just as good uo related. "Out this Mr. Malloy," said Lou, "Isu't ono of us at all. Dcsldes anybody could roe, any girl at least, that what brought him to Ilellevlew was no Kentucky girl. It was Miss Lane from across tho Ohio." And Miss Lauo wus a damsel many man would havn followed further, a maid many a muu would be pardoned for sing ling out, oven i in the midst of a bevy of Kentucky women on their native heath. Sha wns abovo thd middle height, deader, yet with rnrely rounded form. Her hands and feet wera long and slim and exquisitely molded. Her hnlr was almost a chestnut brown, soft, shimmering and gloriously abundnnt, but her face was one no man could look at and forgot oval, delicately chiseled, with the softest curves nnd morrl rst dimples. Her eyes wero radiant, of deepest bluo, shaded by long, dark, curv ing lashes and overarched by thick heavy brows of deep'er brown than hor glossy hair. Tho nose, straight and small, one stiver teemed to see simply because ot the sweet mouth, between whose red portals gleamed two rows of snowy, faultless teeth Set such a head on n full, rounded neck, aboc pretty, sloping shoulders, all dazzling white, nnd there Is witchery enough to com pel tho regard of an anchorite, If ever such n being existed, ond to try the nscctl clsm of St. Anthony. This night, even In that roomful ot borderland beauty, Alio moved In girlish triumph, the belle of a Kentucky ball, und tho fair young face was Hushed with the consciousness of her power. Hardy 1", without n care In tho world, brimful of health, content nnd glad ness, tho Idol of n proud father, the Joy of a devoted mother, sho lived and moved ns though smiles and sunshine nlono could light her pathway, as though slu und sorrow had no plnco on earth, uo lodgment in the hearts ot thoso that huug about her. Hardy 17. reveling In tho delights of pretty girl s first season, she had come with her parents to bo tho guest ot the mas ter ot Hcllcvlaw ut this charmed holiday season and tu help celebrate the return of Norman, his younger son. Tho friendship between tho elders was of long standing, Hot-headed, Impulsive, often nt fault, I)r, Holt was none tho less beloved by it wide and ever-widening circle, despite tho fact that bis occasional quarrels had overrun the borders of his chosen stato nnd overflowed Into Ohio. Mclntyro & Lane, attorneys and couneellors-yt-law, had long been his clos est ussoclatei outsldo tho limits of his own commonwealth. Tho wife of his youth am: middle nge, his vWotcd helpmeet, tho fond mother of his Btnlwrt boys, was Mclntyro only Bister, nnd all Kentucky knew tho stanch old squire doctor would never tako another In place of her who for seven years had been sleeping In tho peaceful cuurcn yard close at hand. A sister, tho widow o a gallant Boldler who fell at Uucua Vlstn came and kept houso for him the yenr after Ills treasure wns taken away, though, for many moons bo had fiercely repelled tho Idea of having any ono. Time, high health and thu demands of his profession and his neighbors had gradually restored tho old uoniallty and kindliness, but tho balance wheel, tho gentlo monitor and guide that so often and so long had curbed the Impetuous will and unreasoning impulse, was sorely missed. In more ways than ono the prouil high-mettled old gentlcmnn had fallen Into error slnco her dcmlto and tho latest and worst Instance was In the coso of rorrunn Norman Mclntyro as sho bad fondly nnmnd him for her beloved father Norman whom sho had loved with a tenderness un speukable Norman for whom, despite all his Drldo In his first born young "iiarry o tho West" tho hot-headed siro secmou 10 hnlii in rsnecial favor Norman, whose chosen career ho had practically closed Tho storv was already all over Ken i.,,.W flinnirli hardlv a fortnlKht old. Tho lnd. In his 21st year, was nt West Point standing well up In his clnss and wearing the chevrons of a radct sergeant, nighteeu months more would graduate and estab llsh him for llfo In nn honorahio profes sion, for which ho was eminently lilted, when ho foil out with n senior, a cadet lieutenant of his company, nnd after the manner ot tho corps, challenged and fought his adversary, who, In truth, had boon tho aggressor, and had used his ofllclal position to vent it personal spite. There was u girl at the bottom of It all. There gen erally Is. The sympathy of the battalion, almost to a man, was with the Kcntucklnn, but, us Ill-luck would have It, tho affair was brought to tho nttcutlon of tho com mandant In a way ho could not Ignore. Tho regulations were explicit and court martial had to come. Tho finding was guilty, the acutenco dismissal, but It wn3 coupled with tho unanimous recommenda tion of tho court for clemency, bused on "high character and soldierly record," nnd the secretary of war commuted It to con finement to barracks for a brief period anil tho loss ot bis sergeant's chevrons. Everybody felt confident that when Juno camo around Norman Holt's namo would again stand high on tho list of cadet of ficers. Norman himself knew that ho had gotten off easily. It was tho old doctor who went wild In IiIb wrath, who had hur ried on to Washington nnd theuco to tho Point, arguing, denouncing, raging. Hegu latlons be d d, said he. In nn affair be tween gentleman tho only regulations gov erning tho enso wero thoso of tho code, which every Kentucklan, every southerner, every man excopt a baso born mudsill must recognize Ills son had been put upon nmt Insulted by n follow cadet, no matter what his battalion rank, and had simply octcd as a ccntiemau in uomuimiug ruii.u-uuii. I'd lmvo disowned him If ho hadn't. He served the scroundrel perfectly right, euh." Tho doctor looked for triumphant acquittal. Ho would havo considered oven ofllclal commendation only right nnd proper under tho circumstances. Ho listened in amaze to tho ordor promulgating tho findings nnd scntenco nnd then In an outburst of rage ordered his sou to wrlto Instantly his resignation, und Norman, smarting undor tho lash of tho implied reprimand, yet secretly reluctant nnd doubting, obeyed tho father's mandate. In vain did the commandant, himself a gnlluut and distinguished southerner, try to reason with the iruto Kentucklan, Holt would havo fought Hardee right then and thoro, und only a limited few ut tho officers' mess wero uwarn how narrowly n meeting was averted. They got tho tiro eating physician nway from tho Point nnd "on to Washing ton" where, rubld old whig that bo wos ho moro than relished the opportunity of having it out with tho Virginia democrat who sltned tho order that swept tho chev rons from Norman's sleeve. A man of mark and Influenco was Dr. Holt lu tho border Btates, but Kentucky and Tennessee, by presenting candidates ot their own for tho presidency In tho momentous election Just decided, lud defeated tho party to which they were naturally allied, nnd, to tho wratli of the nouth, had opened tho doors of ,tho Whlto House to a rank aboil tlonlst, "an obscure rail splitter,' "a son of the soil, who sprang from n hovel.' Holt went to denounce nnd upbraid, but found a cabinet that could outdo blm nt both. He wns stuuncd by tho reproaches of tho president's backer.) and ndvtscrs Tho president himself ho could not see at all. Ho found that for tho first tlmo In national history Kentucky was not a name to conjuro with nt Washington Tho bordor states had botrayed und knifed the grea democratic party, wns tho cry, and turned tho nation over to tho nigger worshiper. The doctor wauted to light Floyd, tho war secretary, but found tho capltol full o amazed und disgusted statesmen, lu vrhone mouths the very names ot Kentucky and Tennessco were opprobrium, Kinsmen o rank nnd Influence surrounded tho wrath ful borderer nnd whisked him nway, tuk log Ncrroan with him. Tho second week In December found him homo aguln, and forgetting, for a time at least, his blttc rage In tho Joys of hospitality. Then Hello view was thrown wide open tor thu holt days. Norman should bo welcomed by the prettiest girls to be found in the west, und Norman should be batted henceforth as Kentucky gentleman and no starving sub three years Leforc, oung Dr. Woodretv uccecdlnt: to tho good will and tho bad debts. Holt had Inherited wealth, n beauti ful home and estate. Ho had a dozen hunt ors, dogs by tho score and hi hardly know Just how many Ethiopians he never spoki of them or treated them as slaves. Ho had his boys, Hal studying law with Mclntyrc & Lane nt Cincinnati, and Norman well, Norman Bhould have a few months' rest after the yenrs of Iron-clad Idiocy they called discipline nt that infernal pauper school on tho Hudson, Ha should look about him nnd teke his choico of a profession. He should go to college, read law or study medicine, or stay homo and hunt, ride, shoot nnd be tho young squire. Hut before they had boon home n week tho fond, hot headed old father had seen be yond nil pcradventuro that tho boy was already repenting his action nnd pining to bo back at tho Point. Never In his lite had Norman been happier, desplto tho monotonous routine, than In tho au tumn days Just gone by. when, on battalion drill or dress parade, ho marched as left most men and Influential citizens Hie young gentleman is visiting In Kentucky nnd as ho will be a day or two nt Asholt I bespeak for him tho welcome ou would ac cord to mo nnd mine.' Whore's his card?" And the doctor picked up the square paste board. ' Glazed!" ho exclaimed. "Where'd he learn that bourgeois business? Mr. J. Ilurnett Malloy! Staying at tho Inn, Is It? Well, Harkless, tell Mars Henry I wnnt him. Wo'll call nnd bid Mr. Malloy to din ner. Know him, Luno?" Hut Lano was already on the move for the door. Ho stopped, half-turned, colored, hesitated nnd then spoke. "Yes that Is, slightly. I wish Mac didn't know them at all." fllAI'TIHl II. ' Did you have any Intimation. Daisy?" on llko n rocket, sttntght for the spire at Mrs. Latin hnd naked, as they were dress- Hardin hill, nearly nlno good miles to the Ing for the late dinner, nnd the child hnd north, llrnnchlng from tho pike, a coun fought In vain against that telltale flush nB try road bom nwny for tho hills, Hnd nit she utiswered: "Ho said last week that tho chase was In plain view, It was but business might bring htm to Asholt." 1 reasonable to suppose tho pair had fol- It so happened that nt the moment of lowed, yet turn nnd women who took that Malloy's entry Norman Holt wns In an routo declnrcd to tho conlrury. Was It adjoining room, tho ltbrury, with Miss Hay possible, then, that, preferring to be alone, ntnl her mother. Wax candles by tho score they had deliberately chosen tho byway filled tho drawing room with soft, yet brll- Unit led to thn long belt of forest? Mrs. llant light, while the library seemed In l.ano was looking nuxlous nnd annoyed shadow. Tho Hays wero full of Interest' when, after luncheon, sho cam out and and sympathy In Norman's West Point j Joined Norman ut the gate. Mr. I-ane was life thero was a lad at homo whoso whole tager, sho said, to mount und go forth ambition wns to win a cadetshlp and they In search of them, It was this that do wero listening In absorbed attention to his tcrmlued Norman Holt. "Tell him I'll go, description ot barrack days, when suddenly nnd nt once." said he. "They hnve possl- tuo other lily got bewildered m uuroru woous. ui I ho snw their eyes wonder to And yet It was n very presentable young room, nnd then almost instantly, In surprise fresh horse was ready, nnd he was away man. well r.irh,l ti ,1 sronmcd. who came nnd Hiirnttr nn! In nlcusuru. seek each other. In less than three minutes. They heard Instantly to meet his cnllcrs nt thn inn. Tho doctur had had no opportunity to draw from Luno tbo rcujons for his reluctance, Henry had como ut onco In obedience to his There was something so significant In tho him winding his hunting horn, faint nnd glatno that passed between mother und fainter us he sped northcastwnrd, uud that daughter that Norman turned Instinctively was all until neaily 6, when the watchers to nolo tho cause, nud turned Just In tlmo bow tho trio coming slowly in together, fathcr'B message, and, whllo Norman und ito sco two forms In tho conventional oven- Norman afoot. Not until they reached the ii 1 1 I i i iii, i, i i .1 r. - nn i ii i i i tfta.fi in t i i II I f ! i ' S . - l mill ntWiili Jl fill.! "k 4 flff,'.' V ,-: ..!,. ,11 lS,III, li-lll "K. BWni"C3ww! CHHISTMAS AT UliLLKVlliVt'. guide of the loft flank company, wherein ovcry Kentucklan In tho corps seemed to find his soldier station. They lode together for hours each day, father and eon, and, by every means in his power did tho doc tor strive to reconcile the boy nnd to divert his thoughts. Norman rodo nB do many Kuntucklans, as though, born to tho saddle, but ho couldn't be in suddlo forever. The long winter ulghts wore on them now, uud there wero hours when ho could mourn unseen. Holt noted nnd and thought Und ucted. Tho pollltles he hnd planned for Christmas week wero nil well enough, but something had to bo dono at onco. Old friends wero tho Waltons of Louisville, the Itays of Lexington, nnd they were begged to come without delay, and como they did uud much they made ot Norman, but there was small chanco for sentiment thcro feel- doin la where lad and lassie havo been hums from early childhood. Lorua and Lou had romped, played tag and rlddeu double with him tlmo ajid again and wero too near his own age. Loyally tho boy wel comed them and paid homage to them, but every Kentucklan would do that. Thoy wero In naddle every morning, iney chased the fox by day and danced by night, but when tho girls and their mammas were gone to bed and tho doctor would fain have taken Ins boy to his heart und probed his soul in search of symptoms of reviving content Norman would steal away, but not to sleep, for Holt could hear him luovlns restlessly about his room, and well ho knew what that meant. And this wns tho state of things ut tho opening of Christmas week and then came tho Lanes from Cincinnati, nnd then a change. Duty nn host demanded' or tno son that ho should neglect none ot hia father's guests that even old chums like Lorna and Lou should havo Just ns much of his tlmo and attention as thoso who were later arrivals. Tho old-fashioned hostelry In tho vlllago, too, was filled with friends who could not be housed uniior . . . T. ..1 1 ....I ..... even tno spreading rooi i iuuviu. Henry's room wa3 given over to Mr. and Mrs. Luno uud he had doubled up with Norman. Tho register ut the Asholt Inn was filled with names the nation know and all Kentucky loved. Holt und bis stalwart sons had cvory moment occupied nnd tho father noted with Joy tho passing of that hhadow that fate, not he, had thrown about his younger hope, his prldo. his llttlo Henjamln. It was half a week before he fathomed the explanation and then bo hulled It In exultation and ro Jolclng. Ono thraldom had succeeded an other. Tho bondsman to soldier servi tude of thu months gone by had Bur rendered to a now commander; nil dreams of military honor nnd glory wero banished by ono overpowering dream of love. Tho lad. almost from the moment ot her urrlval, bud met his fate lu Daisy Lane. Judge Mclntyro had been uuablo to Jolu them. Cares had multiplied upon tho se nior partner with advancing years nnd his health had suffered. Laue, the Junior jcung still and vigorous, felt a secret anxiety ns to his friend and holper, fur such had Mclntyro evor been. Ha owned to Holt ho hated to como away and leave tho elder man, but tho Judge had Insisted. Mclntyro's Investments hnd gone wrong, said Luno, and he was broodlug, worrying a great deal. "I'll go up uud see blip, after tho Now Year," answered tho doctor, heartily, "and take Norman for a look Into Cincinnati society," und ho wondered that Lnno should say so llttlo to support tho plan. Ho won dcred moro that ufternoou at Lane's evi dent surprise and even disapprobation ovor tho coming of a new claimant on tho doc tor's hospitality. Old Harkless entered the library where tho two were seated In car nest chat und, bowing with grave dignity. presented on a sllvor salver a letter to hl3 master. "Why. tills is from Mac, now!" euld Holt as ho scanned the superscription under his spectacles. "Introducing Mr. J. Uur net't Malloy. I don't like thai new-fangled way of dividing a name. Let's tee," he added, ns he drew forth the enclosure. " 'This will bo banded you by Mr. Ilurnett tho other young knights wero galloping lng garb of two distinct epochs his father through the forest aisles with Bellovlew's fair guests the father and elder eou had driven Into Asholt, closo ut bund, to honor tho Judgo's note. Henry had met both Mulloys, the stato seuutor und his holr, yet know tbem only slightly. Tho former, he sutd, was frequently closeted with Judge Mclntyro. Tho latter belonged to u youug and lively set, with whom Henry had llttlo In common. Henry was studious and am bitious, wus not a society man, and so ap peared but seldom nt tho blltho gutherlngs for which the Oucen City In those days was f unions. Young Malloy had traveled abroad something few Americans could say two generations ago and had abundant means und fair maimers. The elder struck Henry as being coarso nnd pushing, but polish was not to be looked for In the pro fessional politician. Henry was not lu tho confidence ot Mr. Lane, and, therefore, could not say how ho regarded tho Malloys, but thought It posslblo tho Junior partner disapproved of tho koii, on general prin ciples, ns a possible suitor, for Henry re membered having heard that young Malloy was deeply smitten with Daisy's beauty. And then came the youth hlmaelf to greet them, and to accept, with evident pleasure, tho doctor's cordial bid to dinner that evening. "Sorry we haven't n room for you at Hollovlew. sub." said tho Kentucklan, "but the women folk are there lu force, und several of our guests havo to put up here. If they glvo you a comfortable bed It's all you'll need. Wo expect you to spend your waking hours with us." Mr. Hurnett Malloy, In expressing bis thanks, displayed much gratification and fine sot of teeth. Ho arrived Just ex actly at tho uppolnted hour and uppeared DAISY LANE. In black evening dreBS, which at that tlmo was rarely seen In tho west or souta most men wearing n frock coat and shirt cellars of remarkable pattern, and not ; tow still appearing In tho frills und wrist bands that had been the modo of u much earlier day.' Mr. Malloy was takon round tho clrclo by the beaming host nnd pre sented Individually to ovcry man ami woman, old or young, in tho big. low celllnged, old-fashioned drawing room, nnd after tho kindly nlauucr of tho day, by men nnd womeu both, ho was greeted with cordial handshake. Mr. and Mrs. Lano v.ero civil, wero courteous, yet soinowbut constrained nnd distant. Daisy gavo him a swift glance from hor soft blue eyes, a faltering hanl and colored to the brows as she met blu gaze, and this, too, despite In the blue, gilt-buttoned swallow tall, tho presentublo young stranger In tho solemn black, with white, ecclesiastical-looking tin. It was nt the Instant when Mr. Mal loy was bowing low over Daisy Lane's half extended hand, It was tho Instant when Hint telltale blush suffused hor lovely fuce, uud, looking back from her to htm, the Jealous eyes of the young soldier noted unerringly tho eager, Joyous, almost Im passioned gaze of tho newcomer. He could think of nothing else when, a moment later, at his father'o summons, he, too, ex tended a welcoming hand to the unheralded, yet evidently expected stranger. Tho eyes of the two met In straightforward, steady gaze, tho soft, dark brown of the Ken tucklan, tho steely gray of tho guest, nnd the hands boemed at first to miss each other, somehow, nnd, when they met, tho sturdy clasp of the northerner found only fnlnt response. Then Harkless throw open tho folding doors and with bis elaborate how an nounced that dinner was served. Then thu doctor, blithely Baying. "Give your arm to Miss Lane, Mr. Malloy," gave his to Mrs. Lane, and Norman fell In toward tho rear of the column escorting Lorna Walton, deaf even to her Joyous prophesy of a splendid run for tho morrow. It was a splendid run! Tho day had been superb flue, dear und with a frosty rlmu that lent exhilaration to every Hour in tno oceu air. Aud now Christmas eve bad como and n second dance nnd even a larger gathering. Time nnd again during thu evening that followed tho splendid run of tho day laughing girls and gallant mon found themselves comparing notes and going over and over ngnln tho stirring events of the chnso. Whether because ho hud grown unusually wary, thanks to such frequent hunting or becnuso ot the nipping frost, neynard had proved a teaser. Hounds, huntsmen and the merry party bad run long miles lu vain, and us somo brooks were broad, somo fonccs far too high for nil but tho most daring and skillful, It bad resulted that "tho field" split up luto a dozen llttlo parties uisprrseu un uvor tho country. It followed that townrd a in tho afternoou, when almost ull tho riders had returned to Hcllevlew, thoro were still four guests abroad. Hounds nnd hunts men, bedraggled und disappointed, had come trotting back by an hour after noon. Tho elder women, who hud driven out In open currlages to see what they could of tho sport, had long since returned to inn solnco of tea. MIhs Wulton and u cousin, Loulsvillo girls, had ridden In with Henry Holt und Mr. Oondloe, Just ahead of tho hounds. Norman, guiding Lou Ward by a short cut ncross tho fields, had reached home earlier still, und was striding about tho premlHca from gato to stables, still In riding dress, and obviously nervous nnd fretful. Four of the party only wore missing, but hod It been only one. and that ono Margaret Lano, so far ns Normnu was concerned, tho rest bad returned In vain. At 1 o'clock a belated darky huntsmnn ro ported that ho hud seen Murso Illantnn nnd MIbs Hay ut tho ford of tho Middle branch. Miss Ray's horso had catt a Hhoo and they would stop at Sparrow's to have another set. That would account for them, but who had seen Miss Lano and Mr. Mul loy? Unaccustomed to cross-country riding, though a graceful horsewoman, Daisy had refused u broud Jump early In tho day und taken to the highway. Norman at that tlmo was well In tho lend, guiding Kalo Hay. who rodo like a bird. Malloy, It was ob served, though a fiilr rider, and sitting one of tho best hunters ill thn Ilellevlew btnbles, seemed to earn llttlo for any honors of the chase that might separate Mm fntm the girl whoso beauty so en tranced him. He. too, flinched at a ditch his hunter could havo cleared at a bound, aud rnntered away to placo hlmfeoif agiln at Daisy's side. From that hour they were lost to the rest of tho hunt and practically to the world. Not a soul had seen them. There wero thick woods along tho Middle fork, and a labyrinth of cattlo trails and brldlo paths, but tho ono fox that drew door wero matters understood. Daisy, white one minute and Hushed tho next, was riding Norman's horse, Mulloy, plauslblo nnd smiling, was explaining what had hap pciicd, nnd Norman, without a word to any body, was lending to tho stables Daisy's pretty mare, which had gone suddenly, un accountably, pitiably lame. Thcro had been a scene, It was believed between Mrs. Lnno and her charming daughter tho instunt they reached the so cluslou of their room. Daisy had slipped out of saddlo even boforo Mr. Mnlloy could leap from his nnd assist her to dismount With flaming cheekn sho had hurried up tho steps to the broad-colonnaded portico forcing u smllo for tho benefit of tho women thronging to meet her, yet hastening past them to hor mother, who, at the library door, where she had been In anxious con ferenco with the doctor, stood waiting, and nt onco led her to tho stairway. Not until lato In tho evening did tho child reappear, Dinner had been cent to her that sho might lest and bo In rcudineas for the ovent of thu holiday season tho Hcllevlew ball, llut they bad been dancing over an hour beforo she came down, and every woman present knew she had been weeping. Norman, too desplto the demands upon him as host. was far from being his usual self was fitful, nervous, absent-minded. Malloy however, seemed thoroughly at his eas buoyunt nnd debonair, dancing assiduously with one girl ufter another and striving to be agreeable to ull, to all at least until Dalcy'u lato appearance. Tho thing that observant women could not fall to note was that Norman Holt never onco addressed him during tho cntlro evening nnd spoko only awkwardly and with cold restraint when compelled to nnswor his remarks It was long after 10 when Mrs. Lane and her daughter finally Joined tho party la tho ball room. Tho mistletoe bough still bung conspicuous and throw Its potent suell on all beneath, but maids and matrons wore shy and guarded now, nnd mindful of the provlous ove. AVlth every nppearancn of frankness with every expression of proper regret. Mr. Mulloy had told tho story to limn after man, and to tho women who witnessed their return told It practically as he had told It to Norman when that keen young scout nnd rider came upon them tu thn depths of the Huford wood. Ho declared bo had heard tho dls tant bay of tho hounds coming from over the tree tops, Indicating that Hcynnrd bad turned sharply eastwurd when near Hardlu hill, and, In his inexperience, us ho frankly said, ho reasoned thut tho fox was now making for the woods. Why not ride dl tectly thither and be foremost in the hunt Miss Lano evidently longed to bo up at tho front again, but could not tako tho higher fences. He persuaded her to gallop, oh he said, In tho direction of tho sound, and away from the trailing field. Hut onco within the wood tho bridlepath becamo crooked, nurrnw, Intricate. Tho sound wero deadened, and in less tuun half an hour he found himself bewildered. Then In crossing a sbuliow ditch, Miss Luno' pretty mount strained her off hind leg In boiuh myBterlous way, und, evidently 1 great pain, could not set foot to earth Malloy found u soat for bis partner on fallen log and followed n path to tho open fields to the north, hoping to seo something of tho hunt, but succeeded only lu hailing u negro, who promlsod to go at onco to Dellovlow, seven miles awuy, and bring th phaeton for Miss Lane. Then ho rodo buck to her and waited waited long hours nnd strove to comfort her by the assurance that uld must booh come. Not until after 3 did thoy hear tho mellow notes of a hunter horn winding through tho forest, and Mai loy's shout In answer brought Mr. Holt t their retreat, and Mr. Holt could toll th rent. It seems that Mr. Holt had stripped off tho saddles, reset Miss Lane's on hi own fresh horso and started them homo while ho followed afoot, leading poor hob I Hug Nellie Cray. It was most unfortunate but nobody, tnlil Malloy, was to blame except himself, tho narrator, unless It was tho darky field hand whom ho had liberally tipped to Induce him to go with h11 tpeeil to Ilellevlew. Miss Wnrd sat thcro by her mother s Ide, strange contrast to the girl who had been so radiant the night before, n fusing now every Invitation to dance. Sho was till tired, she declared, nnd unaeeouutabh tiff and sore. Sho had been so llttlo in saddlo ulnee tho spring. "It you dnnce tonight with one," her mother hud said, you cannot refuso others, and Mr. Malloy will bo sure to ask for nil you can possibly glvo him." Daisy wns playing wall flower. rolo to which she wus utterly unaccus tomed, but men swarmed about and per sisted lu their lnuiortiinltles, especially Malloy. Norman Holt alono did not repeat his request for a dance. Even as midnight approached, the hour ut which nil were to Join in one cup of wassail to tho honor of Father Christmas, there were men who hovered about her chair and begged that sho reconsider. Seeing this, with an odd, scnil-possessive manner. Mulloy placed him self at her side uud, despite averted looks and a decidedly cold shoulder, hung thcro undauntedly, n sort of Bltlglo-headed Cerberus, wurnlng off all comers, until tho midnight hour chimed from tho old Dutch clock In tho broad hallway, when, glasses In hand, the whole assemblage gathered about the glad, genial host. There wero men that night who spoke ot It beforo they sought their rooms and thought of It ii gal ii uud again In tho yearn that followed. Never had tho master of Ilellevlew seemed In blither, gayer mood, his ruddy fnco wreathed In smiles, his kindly eyes twinkling In Joy und hospitality and benediction on nil around him. liven the servants had been summoned lu, Hark less ut their bcud, and lu broad, black circle, turbancd poll and kinky crown, en compassed round about tho bevy of fair women nnd brave men. To each was given n brimming glasa of tho doctor's famous mixture. Its fragrance arose to the very rafters nnd then nil other sounds wero hushed ns the doctor, beaming on them, lifted up bis glass and voice. Only three days beforo had como tho startling news Hint South Carolina, spotted and petted child of tho family of states, hnd declared all bonds ununited, ull ties sovered, and acclaimed Its secession from tho union. No man could tell to what It might lead, No thinking man could full to nee that, grave nud momentous, a crisis bud como In tho onward sweep of our national life. Even here, lu tho midst of all tho Christmas Joys nt Hollovlew, there had been gr.avo faces nmong tho few elders, but tonight tho old doctor's wns liucloudi 1. "Friends nnd kindred," ho begau, "old friends uud new, good friends nil; so long as I havo lived hero lu thu heart ot our beloved commonwealth has It been the boast of Ilellevlew that no living soul, white or black, fulled of welcome and of our good cheer on this thrice-blessed anniversary. Pcuco on earth, good will to men' has been tho motto over our beurthstono from the day these doors wero opened, 'Peace on earth, good will to men' remains Its watch word today, und such, plenso Cod, shall be Its watchword through generation after generation long after I am laid beneath the sod. Wo rejoice, my boiis and I, In your prcsonce hero tonight. Wo pledge you with full hearts and brimming glasses. We drink to Christmas past, to Christmas pres ent and to Christmas to come. May an other year bring us all all who aro hero tonight again within theso walls, theu, as now, to drink to each other's health and peace nnd happiness, and to suy, In thu words of Tiny Tim, God bless us, every one." The moment that followed, first of mur murous applause, then ot nllcuco as glasses wero raised to answering lips, was rudely closed. Sudden und Imperative, somobodf was knocking at tho outer door. (To bo Continued.) flUIS IN YOUR THROAT are the direct cause of all LUNQ TROUBLES. Tho flt symp tom may bo a tllglit tickling sciibitllon, and then acough nnd ustliocerins mul tiply tlioy eyon tually find their way Into the hints nnd Con sumption leuults. DR.CEO.LEIHINGER'S FOR-MAL-DE-HYDE oouaii CURE l the only Cough reme dy Uutt contains Solldl fltd Formaldehyde, whloh will annihilate every dlscaso-breeding germ In tho throat and tiierooy stop a cough al most In stantly, h If used to connec tion with Off. GEO. 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