DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 27 



road, where a view rewarded us in the rehef that comes 

 when gazing on a \\dde expanse of hill and dale while 

 the wind blows freely over miles and miles of heather. 



'Do yon remember, Phil?' 



'Remember what?' was my reply. 



'Have you forgotten, sir, that it was quite near 

 here we had that splendid run, during which we 

 t\sice sighted the stag, once so near that a burning 

 thrill of hope ran through me that Paddy would 

 hang to the voices of the dogs so that I might say 

 I was tliere when the stag was brought to bay. The 

 dear old horse knew my wish and thundered on 

 through the thin, damp mist, until it grew and grew 

 in blackness, and then I heard 3'our frightened call 

 and had to give up all m}' hopes just when so near 

 fulfilment.' 



'And, "so near being in a bog" was the thought 

 that miade me spur and yell to stop that mad (light 

 of yours.' 



'^^'ell, I forgive your fears, Phil, but why forget 

 so soon that it was on that occasion you found a soft 

 spot in some one's too soft heart?' 



'I remember quite distinctly, madam, every inci- 

 dent of that day from the moment I caught sight of 

 you at the Meet on Paddy's fifteen three, with Dick 

 Vellacott at your side on his long-legged, bony gray, 

 that can arch his neck and paw the. ground on any 

 eminence from which a glimpse of the hunt may be 

 snatched. Your father seemed much pleased, while 

 talking to the parson, to note with one eye his 

 daughter's pleasure in her companion and did not 

 notice me.' 



'Well ! Phil, you can't deny that Richard makes 

 a fine figure on horseback.' 



'Oh yes ! he looks well enough at a Meet; but 

 has any one ever seen him really ride?* 



'Nov/, sir, confess you would have liked him less 

 had he outstripped you in that gallop, rescued me 



