Half A Chance

her receded altogether in the gray haze or stood forth like shadowy ghosts. In the foreground, not far from the main entrance, a number of sheep and their young nibbled contentedly the wet and

made them fuller and sweeter, and a joyous sort of mel

ches, flowers and buds, drowsy and sleeping. Her mount was deep black, with fine arching neck and spirited head; on either side of the head, beneath ears sensitive, delicately pointed, had been fastened a rose, badge of favor from a bunch nestling at the white throat of the young girl. She rode with a grace and rhythmical ease suggestive of

g! It isn't often you see

re the pictur

bea

the benches or strolling along the paths, the girl now set a yet swifter gait, glancing qu

t and left them far behind. Now Steele's eyes rested on the playing muscles of her superb horse, then lifted to the

nspiring speed, she drew him in to a walk. "Wasn't

s she readjusted, at the lips,

han wor

n the past," she observed

t it," he returned quietly,

suppose I should feel nattered t

ong ways with many people." A spark shone now in the

laughed. "A compliment

--the truth?

ruth?" she replied. "What is it? Where shall we find it? Isn't it something the old philosop

red; the man's lips closed tighter; a moment he watched t

ompliments, complimen

a stormy play of emotion behind that mask of immobility. The girl's long lashes lowered; a slightly puzzled expression shone from her eyes. It may be she had but the natural curiosity of her sex, that her interest was compelled

hingly remarked, "you a

ed. "Int

your thoughts

e not w

N

stant the man seemed to lose his self-possession. "Ah," he began,

ingered on some one approaching from the opposite direction, and catching sight of him, she had just missed noting th

e?" asked the girl, cont

ame in Steele's gaze; the hand hold

of the approaching rider. "With his devotion to clubs and late hours,

in a low voice,

dful he might have noted a touch of displeasure on the proud f

friend of my uncle's," she ob

in John Steele's breast, that she took this occasion to let him know definitely that her f

she who had been somewhat unmindful of him lately on a sudden seemed really glad to see him. His slightly tired, aristocratic face lightened;

opped slightly back among the others who had by this time d

parently telling her a whimsical story; he had traveled much, met many people, bizarre and otherwise, and could be ironically witty when stimulated to the effort. John Steele di

," observed the nobleman sudde

asked t

ele," he answer

flute-like. "What is

usic, or supposed to be! Unless I am mista

Oh, I understa

ir head marched pipers, blowing lustily; behind strode doughty clansmen, heads up, as became those carrying memories of battles won. They approached after the

rse, unaccustomed to the pomp and pride of martial display, began to plunge and rear. She spoke sharply; tried to control it but found she could not. Lord

He stood almost beneath the horse; as it came down a hoof struck his shoulder a glancing blow, grazed hard his arm, tearing the cloth. But before the animal could continue his rebellious tactics a hand like iron had reached for, gras

are to di

afraid. Especially," she added l

ir seats so well," he answered,

tomed to horses. In Austr

e slightly paler, "I thoug

er eyes, "but for a timely hand. My horse a

proached. "A little of the whip--" the words were arrested; the nobleman stared at Joh

out it, but not before his eyes had met those of Lord Ronsdale and caught

d, hearty voice at the same moment interrupted. "There

fit," put in Captain Forsythe, as he and the other

ttle fox!" said the g

e doing some

Her accents

don't you know; primeval instinct! Used to hunt one another," he laughed. "Sometimes do now. Fox is

John Steele's back was turned; he was bending over the girth of his saddle and his features could not be seen, but the h

tain Forsythe, turning to Lor

ed his hand and pressed it an instant to his breast. "Heart," he murmured mechanically. "Be

citude, pressed a flask on him; the noblema

prang to Lord Ronsdale's fac

iver or a bad heart. One of those inscrutable visitations of Pr

than usual; his thin lips compressed to a tight line; his eyes

s started, looked down at that gentleman. Her voice was gracious; its

in the task he was engaged in; straightened slowly and mounted with leisure. Once again in the saddle, and on their way, it is true he appeared to listen to the girl; b

eele, if I were vain

" he r

I have been saying." H

en't

ny

ain she looked

n the same tone--"you really did save my life! Have you ever really

denly set afar. Was she thinking of another scene, some one her own words conjured to mind? Her mood seemed to gain in se

" she said there, regainin

present," he added. "I am

rded him in surpris

icult to sa

st have deci

es

e answered affirmatively; the blue eyes l

lit

t always seems serious, I suppose. We--we are moving into the

ret, I am

k aunt has put you down for July; a house party

revoir! Or good-by, if you prefer it." He held the little gloved fingers; let them drop. There was a suggestion of hopelessness

" she found herself saying,

lor flaming high, the girl looked after him until Lord Ron