MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. . 25 



" You, as huntsman, must do the rest," he said. A 

 gleam of sunshine pierced the mist and Ht up the dell in 

 which they were standing and fell upon the figure of the 

 girl, and Jack stepped back to admire the picture. 



Miss Badsworth took up the mangled remains with both 

 ' hands, held them on high, and with one more " Whoo ! 

 Whoop," threw them to the hounds. Jack, the terrier, ap- 

 preciated the attention by giving what was left of his enemy 

 a final shake. The worry was not a success. 



The girl turned to Jack and said : — 



'' Whew ! I'm not squeamish, but I confess I wish it 

 hadn't to end like that." 



" Oh, it's the fortune of war, you know," he said cheer- 

 fully. " We had a splendid time ; I wouldn't have believed it 

 if I hadn't seen it, and Mrs. What'shername back there will 

 be pleased ; we'll leave her a pad as a keepsake. Let us 

 wash our hands at the pool yonder." 



Jack fetched the horses, and joined Miss Badsworth as 

 she was drying her hands on her pocket-handkerchief. " Now 

 you must tell me your name," she said. 



"John, commonly called Jack, Morgan, at your service," 

 he replied, raising his hat. 



" Then I assure you I'm very much obliged to you, Mr. 

 Morgan." 



" Oh, don't mention it. I only regret the Squire wasn't 

 here to see the finish of the fun. How far are we from 

 home?" 



" I think we can do it in eight miles." 



As a matter of fact Jack was not seriously grieved at the 

 Squire's absence ; he anticipated a pleasant ride, and pleasant 

 it was. 



Miss Badsworth mounted without assistance, and from a 

 matter of habit ran her eye over the hounds. 



" Nine couple and a half, all here, mum," Jack said, touch- 

 ing his hat. " According to Cocker, Miss Badsworth, I 

 suppose I, as acting first whip, should have those couples 

 and that mask." 



