LOVE IN THE SADDLE.

Otago Witness, Volume 1851, Issue 3809, 15 March 1927, Page 9

LOVE IN THE SADDLE.

By

J. C. LOCKE.

(Copyright.—For the Otago Witness.)

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Drusilla Cope (Toozle) heiress ot Hurstbury, and "Harry Hawkshaw part at Farewell Thorn near Chippenden. She goes to the Riviera with her aunt, Lady Nunlash (Aunt Matty) ; he is left to try and make £5OOO with the help of his trainer, Mr Barter, by racing his own steeple-chasers. Tommy Dawson, Harry’s barrister friend, advises him that this sum will enable him to marry Toozle. She will lose Hurstbury if she marries before she is 25 w-ithout the consent of her uncle and trustee, Mr Ringland, who refuses his consent, and is suspected of dishonest association with the Fancourts, rich financiers living at Norden, Harry’s old family estate, lost to him on the death of his father. Harry lives at Chase Cottage, once part of Norden, with his old nurse, Mrs Mary Dobson (Dobby). Tommy Dawson comes for a week-end, and they are told by a lawyer’s clerk, Mr Kewley, that Mr Ringland is defrauding Toozle. During the discussion Mr Ringland calls, and again refuses his consent to the marriage of Harry and Toozle. Harry takes his mare, Kata San, out for a run with the Greydown Hunt. He meets Gloria Harvey, of whom Toozle is jealous, and she makes him a veiled proposal of marriage.

CHAPTER IV.— (Continued.) Hurry stared at her in dismay. There was a dead silence, broken only by the quiet flapping of a dry leaf, and once, deep in the covert, by the eager, highpitched whimper of a hound and the quick rattle of a horn. Kata San snatched at her bit with a sudden excited champ, and Harry started and drew a deep breath. “My dear,” he said deliberately, “you may not mean what I think you mean. What, exactly, did you intend to say?” “Exactly what you supposed, Harry,” * she replied hardily, her eyes still glowing and intent upon him—but the colour had left her cheeks. “I’m asking you to marry me.” Their eyes were warring in a fixed stare, and his were as cold as hers were hot. “Then —forgive me, Gloria—l must remind you of Drusilla. Or perhaps you didn’t know about her?” “Oh yes, I did; but I’m fighting for my own hand. I want you badly for myself, Harry.” The drive of her voice, thrilled as it was with a fury of passion, would have swept over any reply he could have made; but, indeed, he was smitten with too heavy an amazement for ready speech. Her horse suddenly snorted and plunged, but she tore at the reins with such a pitiless hand and slashed it so savagely about the neck that it gave in and stood quivering. “Still, you damned brute! For God’s sake, don’t look like a horror-stricken fish, Harry! Haven't you ever seen a

woman with her soul naked before? Listen! It isn’t just that I’m madly, degradingly in love with you—ready to be your mistress or your slave or anything if you won’t have me for a wife, but 1 want you to save me —from Gerald Fancourt.” Before Harry could gather his scattered wits a horse swished cleverly through the top of the right-hand hedge and stopped beside them with a neat twirl. The ride's long figure swayed easily to the jerk like a rod of whalebone, and his freckled face split in a cheerful grin. “ Wake up, you two! ” he cried. “Don’t you hear there’s a fox a-foot?” His impudent shrewd eyes took in the tense white faces, and he handled the situation with a curious tact of his own. “Hullo! Oh, I see—a row on. What blackguard work have you been up to now', Harry? Better thong him and get it over, Gloria; whip’s quicker than the tongue though less bitin’, and we’ll be shiftin’ in a tick. Hark! ” They sat dead silent —a rather electric silence on the part of the other turn, but Toby Gatward was completely at ease, and had much the look of a game and raffish poacher’s lurcher as he listened. Deep in the wood a horn was blowing with an urging note, and hounds gave tongue in a single fierce crash. It w r as still again, then suddenly the horn thuttered out a wild flare of notes ending on a long, high shriek, and the hound-music echoed it in a deep-throated volleying peal. “ Gone away'' on the north side,” Toby yelled. “Good huntin’!” He vanished with the dive of his raking thoroughbred through the screen under Gringe Oak. Gloria gripped Harry’s arm. "Don’t lose me, Harry! I must speak to you again.” Harry nodded; Kata San gave a frantic bound and took the hedge with a stag-leap, and both galloped full tilt - down the neglected rove. As they reached the central clearing Toby was just vanishing on the further side. No one else was in sight, and they burst into the open three furlongs away' from the silent, racing paek; the’ huntsman close up to his hounds, Toby a hundred yards ahead, bearing to the left, and the master and a handful of first fighters rounding the east corner of the covert, but far behind. The trouble smoothed out of their faces, and they smiled at each other as they sat down to. ride. Ugly 'thoughts were impossible with the body . thrilled by the stretching gallop, and the brain whipped to a flame of delight by the music of the beating hoofs and the bright visions of the bursting pack, J&sum, the hunta-

man, rode watchful on their flank; the red of his coat and the tan and white of the hounds made gay splashes of colour against the clean grey-green of the winter fields. There was zest in the tinging air and the sparkling sunlight that bathed all. Kata San and Gloria’s sound bay hunter whirled over the fences of the valley pastures side by side, and then they were out of the hedges and sweeping across the long rolls of the Downfoot. The line began to trend uphill, and Harry, watching keenly, let the hunt draw away to the right while he kept the lower ground. “ I want to save the mare a bit, Gloria,” he called. “Do you mind if we let them run wide? We’ll keep on top of them if you like, of course.” “No; so long as you think we shan’t lose them.” “ I think not; I’m pretty sure not. He’ll be making for Brendley Warren by Lipsham Gap, but there’s sheep all over the Gap—you can see them from here.” “Yes, I see, lots of them. And.then?” “ Well, he won’t turn up-wind- and go through them against that stiff rise with the hounds bustling him like that, and when he slants down we shall run into the line again near Rymers; he’s bound to go that way for Low Spinney or one of the coverts beyond. What do von think ? ”

“ That you've hit it. You're a good hunter, Harry! ” They were riding close ami knee to knee. The sharp air had stung her colour to a gallant brightness; her eyes were glowing with an even lovelier light and met his in an open, comradely look. Her elastic seat and lithe grace of body made her riding a joy to see. Sheer content filled him as lie galloped beside her.

Chin on shoulder, I hey could sec the hunt spread against the hillside. The pack was not bursting now, but the pace was a rattler, and Toby and Jessuni, close up, were still alone. Behind them, slowly narrowing the gap, was a scattered company, with the master at their head, and then, in a long trail, the rest of the field strung out over the face of the slope like a loose chain of black and scarlet beads. Just below the skyline, up by Lipsham Gap, the flock moved in a restless swirl, and the wind brought the thin sound of the sheepdog's excited barking. They could see him scurrying about, an agitated black dot, on the down-hill side of the sheep. “See that?” Harry exclaimed. “The dog’s spotted him. He’s going along somewhere below. Thought he’d be turned there. You might take a pull at your gee now, Gloria; we shall be with them comfortably at Rymers.” Gloria nodded, and at an easy pace and over easy ground they watched the hunt elimb and band and stream downwards in a long slant across the hollow curve of the Down. When the willows and poplar spires of Rymers came in sight they were well ahead, and pulled up to a leisurely canter as the pack came sweeping at an angle towards them. “That’s topping, Harry! You’ve judged it beautifully.” “Well, it’s saved a lot, anyway. Our mounts’ll be fresh as paint, and I must spare Kata San if I’m to see the end of it. You have a second horse out, I s’pose?” “Yes; we don’t grudge ourselves anything, wc Harveys, even when we can’t afford the price—and it’s a heavy one, sometimes. Harry, it’s a good hunt, isn’t it? You’re happy, aren’t you?”’ “Quite, old girl.” “Oh, jolly! Then you’re-not angry with me. Don’t be, my dear; even when we’ve finished our talk. Here they come! ”

The hounds flashed over a boundary hedge to the right in the pale, menacing wave. Harry and the girl let out their snorting, capering, hard-held horses, and rode on the left flank of the pack and a little behjnd. Toby Gatward was near enough to wag a head of mock reproof at them as they struck into the line with their stolen lead. They were among the hedges again, now. Harry forgot everything in the surging rhytUm of the gallop over pasture and plough, and the swinging lift and flight as Kata Sam soared over her fences. Gloria’s eyes shone again with those strange fires as she watched the strong, spare, lightriding figure, strapped closed to the saddle by its flat horseman’s things, and the good-looking face above, healthy and wind-blown and keen.

Rymers was far behind and the hunt swept past Brendley Warren without a check; perhaps the fox was an old hand and guessed at the well-stopped earths. Wily he was, old hand or no, and laid them a puzzling line which slowed the run and let the field close up while the hounds fanned questing. Gerald Fancourt pounded upon his speedy highpriccd.beast, riding untidily and looking hot and blown. He scowled at Harry and. gave Gloria a sinister look, but before he could get near enough to speak there was a whimper, a chorus and an eager crashing peal, and the pack was away again, while an ugly double-oxer set Mr Fancourt once more in the rear.

He was a sort trial to the fine jumper under him.

The dark oaks of Spelthorn rose burlv to the north and dropped behind, the Wester Gorse showed, a black patch, in a cup of the Downs before a high fold swallowed it. The pace was a cracker now, and Kata San began to lather, though she still galloped strongly and jumped clean. Harry’s ranging eye saw far to the left a herd of heifers curvetting about a field, tails high in air. He scanned them sharply for a moment; looked round and nodded to Gloria, and edged away towards them, pulling Kata San to a canter as the hunt drew away on the right. Toby Gatward saw the move, and followed with Gloria. His lean red face puckered into a goodhumoured . grin as he ranged up close alongside Harry. “ Not again, you cunning old devil! ” he shouted. “ You left us all-standing before, and my gee’s getting blown to blazes. Good mare that, Harry.” “ She’s a topper, bless her. Cheap, too.”

“ I know, you infernal coper. He’s circling for Mapperton Spinney, I s’pose.” “ That’s what I make it. It’ll give' us a good breather if we’re right. If those heifers are liars, though, we’ll lose the hunt.” But the heifers had told the truth, and the three, cantering slowly, saw the hounds come round in a wide-flung curve to the point they were making for. “ Now for it, - ’ said Toby. “If it’s Mapperton it’ll mean a 10-inile point. Good huntin’, Gloria; what?” “Good hunting!” she echoed; and they set their horses going again in time to drop in to the field 50 yards behind the. pack. Jessum looked- at them approvingly; he loved good field-craft and those with heart and brain enough to spare their beasts. The heifers had fogged the scent—the fox had attended to that—and there was a long check while the hounds slowly hunted out their line. Fancourt spattered up while the field edged slowly forward. He had taken a toss somewhere in a soft ground; his hat was slightly concertinaed, and no longer shiny ; his smart coat sorrowfully soaked and adubed, and his face vicious and sullen under a thick smear of mud. You would have called him cross. “That bird's taken it.” said Toby. “A gutless bouncer, what? Can’t stand him, myself. Got his eye on you, Gloria, I’m thinking—Toby was never less than frank —“damn his insolence.” Gloria coloured, but said nothing, and then Harkaway—the law-giver of the pack the wise old hound of the magic nose—threw his tongue with a bell-note, the pack took up the cry in a full peal, and they were off once more. It was Mapperton Spinney right enough. There was safe harbour in its tangled depths and unstopped earths for the gallant red robber if he could win so far; but death was at his heels. The hounds ran mute and deadly, and hunted their fox through Twyford Bottom and over North Water, where the trappy banks thinned the field, and along Dreft Hollow and down the Gleve, till the chase broke over a low spur of Flatten Down and the dark thorns of Mapperton Spinneyrose into sight on a jutting swell two miles away. Game and straight the fox ran, tangling bis scent with desperate craft at Alder Brook, where Jessum laid the hounds on again with a masterly sweeping cast, but that grim, bloodthirsty pack would not be lost or thrown off. A mile, now; and the field was a straggle of foundering horses, but the hounds were racing. Jessum and Toby ; the Master, Gloria and Harry, held on, with a half a dozen more ; but Kata San was blowing badlv, and Harry nursed her at every stride.

“Go ahead, Gloria,” he shouted; “you can do it. I'm easing the mare.” But Gloria only smiled, and shook her head. And now from behind a thin screen of hedge a slinking red shape broke into sight and toiled up the last long, grey slope. The thorns were near, but nearer was death. Jessum let out a screaming view-holloo, and the pack yelled a murderous answer No use! He -was spent! Death was on him! The red fox turned in despairing fury, and the dreadful werry was over when Harry and Gloria rode up. The Master brought Gloria the mask and pads. “ And well ridden for, by jove! ” he said. “ The hunt’s proud of its perfect Dmim. ” “ Thanks, Sir Willoughby’. But surely she was more respectable ? ” “ Say less honest,” Sir Willoughby’s look was boldly’ admiring. “You wiped all our eyes finely whpn you snapped up that mare, Hawkshaw; she’s a ripper. Wouldn’t sell, I s’pose?” “ Sorry, Pernell, but she’s part of my. inadequate income.” “ I see. Good luck to you, then.” He finished tieing the trophies to Gloria’s saddle. “ And more good luck to you this afternoon, Miss Harvey, if we get a run.” “ Honest ’ I wonder! Do you think I am, Harry?” Her ey r es were sombre as they turned to him; his were as sombre as they met the questioning look. “Yes; I believe you are—and a good sportsman, too, when you like. For God’s sake stay so, Gloria.” “ And not make love to you, I suppose? But that’s where I’m honest, my dear. Give me a share of your grub; we can eat as we keep the horses moving. You see, I want you, Harry; I always have wanted you; and so I ask for what I want, having no shame.”

“ Never mind all that for a moment. What’s this horror about Fancourt ? ”

“No horror; he’s wealthy, and can give me all the things I need. We’re a greedy- lot, we Harveys, you know, and he’s a dog to be beaten. The insolent beast asked me to go away with him for the week-end. I stamped on him for that, and he’s frantic to marry me since. If I did I should use him, and pay him for his insolence, that’s all.” “But where do I come in? About saving you from him, I mean?” “Oh, that! Give me a drink, will you? Why, you see, Harry, I want- to go straight and be happy. I should with you; I swear it! I love you so. Take me! Take me on your own terms; you needn’t marry me! ” Her eyes were pools of flame as she leant towards him; she laid her hand on his arm, but Harry put it away. His voice rasped when he spoke. “ Listen, Gloria, and don’t make a beast of yourself! I’d be a low scoundrel if I broke faith and married you, and you know it. .As for the other, as things are, it’d be simply foul. If you can't keep straight without that you must go to the devil your own way, but I’ll not believe it of you.” Her face was white; she laughed harshly. “You fool!! I know Drusilla had made you into some kind of plaster saint, but —” “We’ll leave Drusilla out of this. She and I have enough troubles of our own, anyway, without wanting to make them worse. If you were a sportswoman you wouldn’t do it. Take Toby or Pernell if you want a rich man. They’re keen enough, and good fellows both.” “And sell them when the damned wild blood I’m cursed with gets the upper hand!” she said bitterly. “Thank you I’m too good a sportswoman for that, at least. So that’s all?” “That’s all. But drop that blackguard.” “Good-bye, then, Joseph!! I was always sorry for Madame Potiphar. I'm going to Fancourt.” She wrenched her horse’s head round and rode back to the gathering field. Harry looked after her wretchedly a moment, and then turned and set" off for home. His way led him near Toby. "Hullo, Harry! Chucking it with the sun noon-high? 1 ’

“Mare’s spent. I say, Toby, stop that hell’s game over there, for all sakes!” He nodded towards Gloria and Fancourt. Toby’s reckless eyes narrowed as he shot a swift look from Harry to the two figures and back again; then a dangerous light began to flicker in them, and he nodded without a word and rode off.

Harry made weary work of the long jog home, in spite of the guy sun and pleasant dancing wind. Depression, disgust, and a' raging helplessness were bad saddle-mates. His mood was darker than the falling dusk when he rode into the stable-yard at Westings. Stobbs came out of the corn-chamber, chewing a straw. His inscrutable glance took in everything as it played over the fagged mare and her gloomy rider. “Had a good day, Mr ’Awkshaw?” “Good , enough. Fine point from Hoodman’s Holt to Mapperton Spinney, and a kill in the open.' She’s badlv done, Stobbs. Surely she isn't fit enough, with Bracjiester only a fortnight rway?” Uh, -she 11 do her turn, sir, never fear, Mr Barter, he’s handling her like a newborn baby. Like a trap to run vou home, sir?” “Oh, no, thanks. I can trudge it all right. Tell Mr Barter to watch the mare. Good-night.” ‘Good-night to you, Mr ’Awkshaw.” Ilis tight mouth stretched in a small and secret grin as he fondled Kata San’s muzzle comfortably. “Got. the pip proper, ain’t he. lass? lon ain’t the only thing the boss has got to ’andle like a new-born baby. It’s lucky you can’t tell ’im as you ain’t meant to win.” Kata San muzzled him with weary content. - ; ■

CHAPTER V. Depression and all other dismal things had vanished when the day of the Brachester Chase came round. The fortnight had brought Harry a spate of heartening letters from Toozle, and a cheery couple from Tommy Dawson, hinting at mysteries followed on a hot scent and a kill not far off. For the rest, it was good riding-weather, with a clear grey light and flecks of sudden sun, and Kata San looked very fit as she walked round the paddock. The mutter of the ring was a cheerful noise to hear, and the smiling red face of Mr Barter beamed like a midsummer sunrise as he edged a way through the drifting crowd. “So here’s the beginnin’ at last, Mr Hawkshaw!” he said breezily. “Feelin’ up to it, sir?” “Rather; in first-rate fettle, thanks. Getting the money on safely?” “The money’s all light enough; but, mind you, there’s to be no questions asked, Mr Hawkshaw ; that’s the bargain. ’Throws me out o’ my stride, you might say, to speak about it beforehand. You wait for the handin’-over part, sir; you’ll find that’s all comfortable and pleasant.” “I know, Barter; bless you. It’s always a good deal on my mind, of course, so don’t get ratty if I worry you. I’ll do a quick-time dry-up when you tell me.” A vast fat man with a purple face pushed through the surrounding throng and seized Mr Barter by the arm. “Here, Bill! I want a word with you. Excuse me, sir,” the last was to Harry. “What the hell’s your excitement, Peed?” Mr Barter asked as he was tugged hurriedly away.

Mr Peed stopped; they were beyond earshot of Harry. Mr Peed’s purpla took on a blackish tinge. “What’s the excitement, says you! Well, I’m telling you, by gum! lamso 1 Sea here: I know it ain’t your money, Bill, ’cos you give me the office an’ I’d slit me throat on your word that it wouldn’t hurt; but will you tell me, what’s the perishin’ crowd that's just plunked Cva thousand on Kata San?” (To be continued.)