The Obstacle Race

the following morning Mrs. Rickett, who was feeding her young chicks in the yard outside the forge,

re what was wanted, and met

ickett. Don't fluster y

after. Go and tel

ith disfavour. "Well, you're not expecting her t

we are, Mrs. Fielding doesn't

ss Moore is a lady born!" she objected.

er, a vigorous dislike for young Jack Green the chauffeur who, notwithstanding his airs,-perhaps because of them,-occupied a much lower plane in her e

find her if you won't," he said, "

ore with her hair blowing in the breeze. She carried a towel and a bathing d

and its occupant leaned forward with an imperious mot

?" she said, in her sl

r. The sun beat down upon her unc

orry I wasn't here to receive you, but it was so glorious

on't get a little air. I thought perhaps you would like to come fo

said Juliet. "It won't t

to come with y

his heat is so fearful-and the glare! I will go fo

uliet. "I can be re

e will go round by the station and back by the church. It is only th

laimed Juliet almost involuntarily. "T

elding, sinking back into

Rickett looked

and never will be. It's funny, you know, how members of a family vary. Now you couldn't have a more courteous a

moment, but she kept them to herself. "I may be late back, Mrs.

do hope, miss, as young Jack'll drive

pedition. She did not feel any very keen zest for it, but, as sh

lding car reappeared, and they were both

nds of children. I do think Mr. Green might teach them to keep to the side

" said Juliet. "Do you m

er, and Columbus was duly installed by the driver's side. Juliet took her place beside Mrs. Fieldi

e can breathe on a da

ldi

g the village children scatter like

ht of a heavy, shambling figure, and wav

towards her chauffeur's back. "He's a great trial to Jack, I believe. My husband has offered a hundred times to have him p

I know him. He is certainly not normal,

upon her a brief glance of surprise. "I

companion a straight and level look. "And

irlish ring despite its insolence. "Have y

that," sa

rejoined flippantly. "He's like a raging bull when

," said

bout me?" aske

ou were not very s

after me-coerce me, when he wasn't

better than tha

ielding, with her reckless laugh. "Are you

asked me yet,

ll; and if you don't, nothing will induce you. But-let me

y not!" sa

mine. I warn you-we have most frightful rows sometimes. He has only just begun to speak to me aga

l him a friend of mine,"

ding's tone was suddenly extremely cold. "H

g to tea with me to-day, or rather, we are going down

stake to take them out of their own class. Green the schoolmaster is a constant visitor up at the

gentleman!"

on." Mrs. Fielding glanced again towards her chauffeur's unconscious back. "Or if he has, I do

again. "I think he feels

y exasperate me," declared Mrs. Fielding. "I can put up with Jack. He's such a smart, good-looking boy, and he can drive like the devil.

een invited,

ge puts it, he is always hovering on the outside edge of every

h to attract anyone in that way," remarked Juliet. "S

e is so brilliant. He always gets right t

arrister. But I haven't much sympathy with a man who hides behind a pse

ange of lack of courage," said Mrs. Fielding. "

ink he's a woma

woman ever had a brain like that. It's quite

ly disappointe

you sa

're hunted down. The ones that roar are quite ins

erest for the first time. "You've se

nius burns best in dark places. Perhaps Strange is right after all-from hi

e who knows," sa

ct you have heard of the Farringmores, haven't you? I am distantly related to them. I

society," said Mrs. F

seasons-nearly six. An

eat emphasis. "That'

ver married," sa

ad leading to High Shale Point. "Lady Jo used to wonder that. But I've never yet m

were in love," s

liet spoke with a half smile. Her eyes were fixed upon the top of the hill. "But anyhow Lady Jo

saw the description of the wedding-dress in the pa

oberly. "They were to h

off! That must hav

" Juliet pointed out. "That was what I

afraid of

know that perfectly well, though you would never get her to

go with her?" as

I? I have disapproved of her for a long time. Now we have finally quarrelled. She

t intensity. "Do you know, that doesn't sound like you somehow?

"Ah! There is the sea again-and the wonderful sky-line! Is

ent as if the car must leap over a sheer precipice into the clear green water far below. But even as she spoke, there

purity in the atmosphere that held Juliet spell-bound. She bre

he glorious freedom! It makes you f

er in silence, a certai

u for bringing me here," she said. "It has done m

spot that had been the scene of her night adventure, and slowly

the Farringmores. They are pretty badly hated by the miners, I believe. But your friend Mr.

id Juliet. "And where

low really, right in a pocket of the hills, and very unhealthy. You can see the smoke hanging over there now. The cottages are wretched places, and the peopl

ars!" sa

r if we go within half-a-mile of them. And they are such a drunken set. Go

with her friendly smile. "

into Little Shale, and the children were reassemblin

down the hill. It isn't worth while coming

unch with me," s

. I really must get back. I've got t

e again," she said. "I never press people to do what they obviously don't want to. Do you think

ness in the arrogant voice

ek on trial," she said. "You won't pay me anything of course. I thi

u come?" said

you like,"

morr

row, if that

me at the end of a week

hat. I'll leave you a way of escap

ye! Next time you take your tea on the s

l be," sa