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Continued from First Page. slashing his boot logs witii a riclin? switch. "I think I understand the situation Perry, and there's no groat hana done Only, lot thc matter drop-so far as th doctor is concerned, I mean: I do no presume to obi rude a i vice upon you a to anything else."' And, though he had meditated a dif ferent course, and had fully intends hunting up Dana and sending him wit! a note to 2&i\ upon the doctor for a: '-'explanation.** ho was glad to have ? man of Srryker's standing cry hah. Al thc same he was sore incensed again51 Dr. Quin-mainly because of the jeal? ous pain he suffered at the knowledge oi his being so welcomed by Gladys Mait? land when he saw tit to visit the ranch and this pain gnawed all the more an? grily now at thought of the embar rassing-even suspicious-situation ir which that very man had found him or the previous evening. Pressing du tie; and hurried preparations kept him from brooding too much upon these sore pointy but the youngsters all ralli?e him upon Iiis preoccupation while ai their merry breakfast table. He had re? solved that there was ono thing he could and would bring to an issue with Dr. Quin, and was ali impatience for the coming of evening, that he might heai from the lips of Capt. Lawrence the act? ual stories that had been in circulation concerning Dunraven Ranch. Ile never went out to a hunt so utterly indifferent to the fortunes of the day, so eager to have it ali over and done with. And yet-and yet-never had there opened to him a day so radiant with glorious possibility; never before in all his young life had nightfall proved so unwelcome when it finally came. The first rabbit was started before they were a mile from Rossiter,and the hounds tumbled over him nearly a league away down the valley of the Monee. It wa? while they were watering their horses in the stream that Mrs. Belknap rode up be? side them and laughingly addressed Mrs. Lawrence: "That was too much of a straight a wa\ foreitherof us, Mrs. Lawrence: but what wager shall we lia ve on the first masls, after this?** , "W?:y. Mrs. Belknap! lean never hopi to rival you. It was mere accident and good guiding on the part of some of the officers who were kind enough to stay by me, that enabled me to be *in at the death* the other d^y." "You liave Mr. Perry to lead you today. Surely with such a guide you ought to be inspired. Am I to see anything of you today?" she almost whispered to him. as her stirrup brushed his riding boot. "Certainly," he answered, quietly, and looking her over with frank blue eyes that were rather too clear and calm for her mood. "If Mrs. Lawrence will ex? cuse me a" few moments by and by. it will be a pleasure to come and ride with you. I'll ask her." "Indeed you shall not," was the low toned reply, while the dark, eyes fairly snapped with indignation; "I do not borrow other women s escort. If you know no other way thajf ends it." And then Mrs. Spfagu-e'-s -cheery voice had hailed them as her eager horse came splashing intothestream: no opportunity occurred for "ftireherimpressive remarks, birt as the' '-field" rodeVmt upon the J^drie-again arVifthe dogispread their *^^ping skirmish'.line along the front. ""SB*. Belknap felt confident that before tlagV TPeturn?d to Rossiter she would have herfbig; simple hearted admirer in some shape lor discipline. Two capital runs added to ner self satisfaction, for in one of them she was- side by side with the foremost rider at the finish, and in both she had left the other women far in rear. Then came a third, and with it a revela? tion to one and all. It was almost noon, and from a point well out on the prairie to the northeast of Dunraven the "field" was hunting slowly homeward, horses and hounds " pretty weil tired out. and the riders quite content with their morning's sport. *? - Up to this time Perry ha I been in coa ^ stant attendance upon Mrs. Lawrence, and had made no effort to join Mrs. XV I knap. Now, however, he could not but see that every little while her eyes sought his with Significant glance ami .tliat shewas riding well out to the left - of the party. Dana faithfully hovering about her. The colonel with Mrs. Sprague ranged alongside just then, and a. general eonversatioa ensued, in the course of which Perry found himself a trifle in the way. If there was one tiling fastidious Nolan did not like, it was to be crowded by horses for whom he had no particular respect: and, as a number of riders were grouped about Mrs. Law? rence at the moment, it resulted that Nolan's tecih and heels began to make play, and Perry laughingly resigne:! his position at her side, in order, as he ex? pressed it. "to give you other fellows a chance.". Even then. a3 he fell to the rear, it was with no thought or inten? tion of joining Mrs. Belknap. But, once clear of the merry group, his eyes sought the distant outlines of Dunraven Ranch, glaring in tiie noonday san beyond the Monee, and between him and that mys? terious inelosure whither Iiis thoughts were so constantly wandering there rode the dainty lady, the Queen o:* the Chase, so far as that ?lay was concerned at least, and she wassignaling to him with her riding whip. Oddly enough, when Perry rode up to obey her summons. Mr. Dan.i presently found means to ex? cuse himself arul join the main body. "Mr. Perry," she said, as soon as Dana was out of hearing. "Mrs. Page will bc with us to-night, or to-morrow morning at latest. " "Will fine?" answered he, unconscious, forgetful, and with an air of pleased an? ticipation. "How pleasant for you! 1*11 come and pay my respects the very first thing." "You do not understand," was the re? proachful response. "You do not care. I presume; but th:3 means that you and I will have no more long talks and hap? py times together." "Fm awfully sorry, Mrs. Belknap, but Fm blessed if I can see why we shouldn't." "No," despairingly, "it is pla in enough that you seo nothing. Ah, well!"-and tho sigh was pathetic-profound, and the look from the dark eyes was unuttera? ble in its sadness, "I suppose it is belier so-better so." She was silent a mo? ment, and Perry's puzzled faculties took refuge in a long look over toward Dun? raven again: he fancied he saw figures movingllown the slope on the southern side. "Ono thing I want you to promise me." she presently said, sad arid soft and low. Th ire was no reply. Looking up, she saw hi. ?ead was averted. Was he feeiing the SUP - then.after ail? Was he actually suffering a little pang after thi3 affectation of nonchalance? "One thing you must promise, for my sake," she repeated. And still no answer came. How odd! He wa3 bending over in the saddle as though turning from her, perhaps to hid?.' his face from her and from them nil. 1 ie had shifted the reins into his right hand, and was apparently furn ??ling at tho breast of his riding coat with the def t. Was it the handkerchief he needed? Were there starting tears in those blue eyes that he dared not let her see? She could not lose that luxury! Out went ?he little hand and touched his arm. Uer tone was sweet, thrilling, appealing, yet commanding; she would see his face. "Mr. Perry-Ned! Look at me." "Eh! oh! What! I beg your pardon, Mrs. Belknap, but_I was trying to make oat who that wan in thc timber yondei Looks-looks almost Uko a woman o horseback, doesn't it?*' But when he appealed to her for cor ?rniatioa of his timid, half credulou vision he was aghast at the look in lu face. "You were not listening! You wei not even thinking of what I wassaying! she began, her white- teeth set, her so; lips livid with wrath; but site suddenl controlled herself-none toe soon, fe Dana came trotting up. "Say. Perry, what do you make thr om to be down there i i the valley? Co Brainard and 1 feel surf it's a lady o horseback." And. looking lit Perry, Mrs. Belkna saw :hat he had flushed to th3 very teni pies-that an eager, joyous light ha sprung to his eyes; but before she coul say a word Ibero came a shout from th huntsman, a yell from the leading line, simultaneous yelp i ru.a the curs am mongrels among th? "irregulars," an< her horse leaped at tl*? bit and went teal ingolf toward the Monee, foremost i; mad pursuit of a wild careering "jack. **C6nu<T she called, as she glance over her shoulder: but t!ve sight was on that onlj added to her wrath. Nolan plunging and snorting, was held to th spot, while his rider, sitting like a cen taur, was still eageriy gazing over tnt the distant cottonwoods. The next in Stant sae realized that all the field wer thundering at her heels, and the instinc of the sportsman came to her aid. Sh ccu 1.1 not be beaten in the chase. For half a mile Bunny shot likeastrea! of light straight away southwestward the hounds bunched in a siaty, sweepin? cloud, not thirty yard* behind the bobbin: tuit of his tail. Then he l>egan a lon; circle towards the stream, as though t head for a "break" that extended som rods back from the line of bluffs. Anothe minute and lie had reached its partia shelter and darted in. For the next min ute he was lost to sight of his humai pursuers, but presently flashed into viev again down in the creek bottom am "streaking ir' up along the norther] bank, wich the whole pack at his heels The bluffs were steep just here, some c: the riders a trifle timid, and ail th? "field" rt ined in a little as they mad* the descent: Dana, Mrs. Belknap, Parke Mrs. Lawrence, Graham, the colonel an< Mrs. Sprague straightened out for thei: pursuit in the order named, the instan they reached the level of the valley. Th< hounds were far ahead by this time, aiu the two light troopers in charge of thou close at their heels; but who-what was the figure that Mashed into view betwecr those huntsmen and the field, darting lila arrow from the fringe of willows ano dashing straight in wake of the quarry: Thirty yards ahead of the foremost riders of tiie Rossiter party a superb English hunter, the bit in his teeth, his eyes afire anil his bend high in air, fresh, vigorous, raging with long imprisoned passion for the sport of the old island home, gaining on tlie hounds at every stride, and defy? ing the utmost efforts of his rider, leaped from the covert of tho timber into sight of one and all, bearing a lovely but most reluctant victim on his back. In vain with might and main she loaned back and tugged at the reins: though checked in his speed, the horse still toro ahead, keeping straight for the hounds, leaping in his easy stride every little gully or "branch** that crossed his path. Bunny took a sudden dive into the timber, fairly flew across a narrow, gravelly rapid, and darted up on tho op? posite bank; the hounds veered in pur? suit, the huntsmen wavered and sought along tue bank fora better place to cross, but the mettlesome English bay lunged through in the very wake of the hounds, crumbling the sandy banks and crashing through the pebbly stream be 1. Out on the southern slopes went Bunny, close followed by the hounds; out on their trail went the big .hunter, but his rider's hat has been brushed away in the wild dash through the timber, and now a flame of beautiful golden hair-a great wave of light-Hies on the wind over his glossy back. and. though she still leans over the cantle tagging .hard at the reins, she is plainly losing strength Some of the Rossiter party burst through the timber in pursuit; so: :e still ride hopefully up the north ba::!., and these are rewarded, for once again poor, badgered, bewil? dered Bunny makes a sudden swerve, a&d, throwing half the hounds far be? nin*:., darts a second time to the shelter of the banks, with the other half closer at his heels than before. Those who were watching see thc big hunter making a long, circular sweep, then once again bring up in the wake of the leaders, on<e more go leaping, plung? ing, crashing through che stream, and, in another minute, rabbit, hounds, huntsmen, the "field," and the fair in? cognita an* all strung out in chase along Ihe northern shore: and all eyes can seo that sue is an English giri and well nigh exhausted. Still, no man can catch that hunter and lay hands on the rein. She ts riding willi the fore-most now, leading the troopers, even, and still Bunny spins along in front, the hounds gnashing not six feet behind aim. A little point of bluff juts out just ahead; the stream winds round its liase and takes a turn northward for a dozen rods. Bunny shoots the turn like tho pilot of the lightning express, the hounds rain to make it without loss of vantage gained, the big hunter sways outward to the very verge of the steep and crumbling bank, and a groan goes up from the breathless pursuers; but he rallies and straightens once more in the track, and the golden hair, streaming in advance, is the oriflamme of the chase. Then as they round the point Dana gives a shout of joy. Straight down the slopes, straight and swift as rode the daring huzzar from whom he got his name, when he bore the fatal message like arrow flight frota the Sapourie crest at Balaklava, down tho bluffs to the right front comes Nolan, willi Ned Perry on his back-Perry, with set, resolute, yet almost frenzied face-Perry with eyes that flash blue fire in the intensity of their gaze, and Nolan' vigorous strides have brought him in circling sweep, in just ten seconds more, close to the hun? ters quarter, close behind the fluttering skirt. Just ahead there ts another sudden turn to the left; the stream goes one way, the bluffs another, and between them lies a five-acre patch <>f level prairie thickly studded, here, there, everywhere, with tiny earthen mounds and tiny.:gap? ing, treacherous holes-a prairie dog village, by all that's awful! and that runaway hunter, : tad in the chase of the sweeping hounds, is in tin* midst of it before mortal hand can check or swerve hh:?. Another second, and they who pursue have veered to right or left or reined up on the verge -nil save one. Nev. r faltering, Ned perry is at her hunter's quarter, ahuost at her sid'-. They see him spurring, they seo bim bending eagerly Cowards her. they see that he is sh .a:i,t'4 something to her [leaven knows what! Then there is a groan of misery and ?read from a dozen breasts, .-. groan O it as suddenly bursts into the gladdest < f cheers; ii.<* hunter's forefoot has * night i i one of the thou? sand little death trans, down he goes, pinnging, heaving, quivering, rolling over and over; but Nolan leaps gallantly ahead, and Ned Perry's strong arm has lifted the girl from the Saddle ;:s h-r steed goes crashing to earlh, and bears her, drooping, faint, frightened, well nigh sens? less, but safe and clasped tight to his thankful and exulrant heart. Another instant, and Nolan is reined in in the very midst of the tumbling hounds, and Gladys Maitland is thc only woman "in at the death?*" E TO SELL GOODS CHEAP CALL OX 5 S ? il 9 IF YOU WANT BARGAINS. Ile has on hand a well selected stock of DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, GROCERIES, SHOES AND HATS, CLOTHING, And other articles too numerous to mention. Ile will not be undersold by anyone. Oot. 16. E E REM BERT. P. P. GAILLARD. ? f LISTEN! Hardware Can Now be Bought at Prices Within the Reach of Everybody. Anion? our complete assortment the housewife can find everything she needs. The farmer his implements and the carpenter his tools. Having secured the agency for the following goods we are prepared to off. r them at figures that will astouish you. DOORS, SASHES AM) BLINDS, Studebaker Wagons, Carts, Buggies -AND PIERCES' UNRIVALED PAINTS. DAVIS TURBINE WATERWHEEL. THE CELEBRATED DUPONT'S POWDER. Sporting Goods a Specialty. A Full Line of Hardware, Cutlery, Guns. STOYES, |?d? HOLLOWARE, ?? HUBS. RIMS, SPOKES. jj? & Wade Wheel,, jji BELTING, I I MACHINISTS' AND MILL ? ^ o f? SUPPLIES. S3 ? OILS, VARNISHES, SADDLERY, HARNESS, Tinware. WOODENWARE, POT WARE, Etc. We will ahv:iy8 be ?lad to order out for our customers su h goods as we may not have in stock Call and examine. You will Dot complain about priers. E. iRT & CO, October 1G DU f tw M lu 1 f m a i Wno HANDLE the largest and freshest assortment in CAXXED GOODS and EATABLES of all kinds, and SKASv>XABLE DELICAC?ES, call special attention this week, to a few NEW ARRIVALS. in their GROCERY DEPARTMENT : Smoked Fish Hoe, SLOO per doz., 3 for 25 cents. New Pickled Salmon, very fine, 121c. per pound. Choice Family Corned Reef, 10c. per pound. Tickled Tripe, white and nice, 8c. per pound. Pickled Pig's Feet, 5c. cadi. Cucumber Pickles, one cent apiece. Sauer Kraut, 10c. per pound, 3 pounds for a quarter. Bologna Sausage, 10c. per pound. Pickled Dutch Herrings, Smoked Herrings. Choice lot of Hams only 10c. per pound. Mack eral by retail, and in 10 pound kits. Cream Cheese, Green Cheese, Sapsago and Switzer Cheese. Finest Creamery Butter 30c, good Butter 25c, per. pound. Gelatine 15c. a package. Prepared Cocoanut 20c. Flavoring Extracts 10c, 20c, 25c, per bottle. Maccaroni. Vermicelli, Tapioca, Puddine, Plum Pudding, 25c. can. Canned Corn, 10c, $1 doz. Canned Tomatoos, 10c, 95c per doz. 1 lb. can Salmon 15c, $1.75 per dozen. 2 lb. Patented extra fine Shrimp, 30c 1 lb. "Acme" Chip Beef, 20c. 2 lb. Roast Beef, 25c. Rolled Lunch Tongue, 30c. 3 lb. can Tripe, Libby's, 25c. Potted Meats and Game, 10c, ?1 per doz. Puree de Foie Gras, (goose liver) 35c per box. Truffles, (mushrooms) 45c. bottle. Consomme de Yolaillis, (chicken soup) 25c can. Genuine French Sardines, 15c per box. Sardines in moutarde, and spiced, 10c per box. in fact, we carry everything to be found in a general stock. Give us your orders to fill, and you'll agree with the many who j already patronize us, and say, "At Ducker & Bultman's I get' the best goods, and my money goes farther. I am waited upon attentively, politely, and the articles purchased are sent home without delay.''7 TEAS, TEAS, TEAS-all kinds and prices. Call and get a sample. The best Roasted Coffees. Try a can of our 'XXX Peaches for Cream." We handle the very best brands in Pick? les, Sauces, Jellies, Jams, Preserves, Marmalades, &c New ; Nuts, Figs, Raisins, Currants, Citron, Spices, ?fcc. Big stock of Heavy Groceries. Smaller figures on larger quantities. Thc Dry Goods and lotion Stock this season i is complete, and you will find a great many staple goods cheaper I than elsewhere. We have in store a beautiful line of Dress ; Goods, including Worsteds, Cashmeres, Flannels, Tricots, Moire I and Surah Silks, &c. Silk Plushes, Satins and all ihe new and j attractive Trimmings. Ladies' and Misses' Cloaks and Jackets, j Jerseys, Shawls, Nubias, Toboggan Caps, &c. Bargains to be had in Ladies7 and Gents' Underwear. We ! carry ail styles and grades of Shoes at rock bottom prices. No i Goods misrepresented. Clothing, Hats, Caps, Trunks, Vaiiscs, ! Harness, Hardware. Hollowware, Wooden ware, Glassware and I Crockery. Xo trouble to show goods and less to sell them. Respectfully, DUCKER & BULTMAN. Nov 27 Desires io eall the attention of friends, disto* .s and the public generally to Iiis complete line ot edium, Pine and Low Priced selected with care to meet the waists of all our people. The stock consists of all the leading styles, and as good a line of medium and ?ow priced goods as eyer brought by me to this market, Piece Goods, Shirts, Fine and Medium Underwear Umbrellas, Socks, Neckwear, Handkerchiefs anil 9 ?ispell ders 5 All Kinds of Overcoats for Men, Youths and Boys. We.cali special attention of (Mir lady friends to the number one line of Boys', Youths5 and Children's ( iothin2; for every dav and dress near, $^f=> We propose to sell the goods at extremely Sou figures, and when you come to Suinter don't fail to come and see us. "SELL THEM IS OUR MOTTO.' Thankful for past patronage, I remain very truly yours. PIONEERS OF THE HARDWARE BUSINESS Beg to announce io their friends of Sumter and adjacent* counties that they have moved to their Large, Magnificent, New Store Adjoining A, A, Solomons, Our increased business necessitated our leaving our former CRAMPED QUARTERS. Now with LARGE STORE AK 17 LARGE STOCK we are prepared the better to meet the want* of our friends. The Ladies, too, are especially invited to call and see us. We return thanks for past liberal patronage and solicit* your future trade. We buy LARGELY FOR CASH and can offer INDUCEMENTS, Always come and see us before buying your HAEDWAEE. I^ook! Mead! Bey! We sell Agricultural Implements, Tools, Wagon and Buggy Material, Plantation and Household Supplies, Table and Pocket Cutlery, Razors, Scissors, Glassware, Tinware, Lamps, Potware. Everything in the Hardware Line. Stoves! Sl?ve?! St?ve?! Fine Cookers for wood or coal Low prices, best make, guaranteed. See us always before buying either a Cooker or a Heater. O?L STOVES from Si.00 up. Ladies these are the very things fo? convenience I Try one. Gnus! Gians! Pistols! Best make and cheap. G?ns from $2.25 to ?65.00? Pistols from 81.00 up. SHELLS. CARTRIDGES, WAD?, SHOT AXD PO WD ES. Rubber and Leather Belting, best make. Packing in Hemp and Rubber. Giri Bristles and Twine. HOLLOWWARE-POTWARE, We are POWDER AGENTS and can sell dealers cheaper than" they can order it. Save freight by buying of us. Respectfully, E. W. DURANT & SON. Aug. 21 BIG GROCERY STORE. Main Street, Near Jervey- House* MEAT, fj CO S j ; SOAP, LARD, U s^j STARCH, COFFER. I i>m^\ k? RrE? SUGAR, ; OATS. LYE B.? 3 ?0 [flA Y' GRITS, I I FLOUR, CRACKERS, Iii SSI . MKAL' MOLASSES, jj7 gg . MATCHES, SALT. j ? p] \ CHEESE. SCHWERIN <& CO., Near Jervey Ho^se. 0?t 23-v \ DON'T READ/THIS. The summer is past. Harvest time is u}pon us. A good crop has been made and cotton is bringing bette^prices than for years. BULTMAN & ! BRO., PROPRIETORS OF "The Sumter Shoe Store/' in fora) us thai the yield in the Shoe crop this season is -.IMMENSE, bat in price? (unlike cotton) ttiey are cheaper than ever before. If you ^will drop in and look their stock, and .'?et them quote prices, you will be impressed with the idea that "SHOES MU3f SHOW ON TBSES." This old ?rm idoes not need any intro? duction to the old residents of our City and _ County, but the population and business houses having increased so rapidly they deemed it wise v? use ? small space here to inform people that they have not been crowded ont. Ml are thoroughly pro pared to meet all competition in the BOOT AND SHO?^ TRADE at wholesale or retail. They sell the Light Running \ While Sewing Machine -, V on casv terms, and keep always in stock a complete assortment of Trunks, Valises and Traveling Bags. BULTMAN & EfRO-, Oct 2 Opposite North side of Court House Square. ATTEWTIOH, PARENTS AMD OMLDREN ! Santa Claus' Headquarters. TOYS, TOYS, TOYS, IX ENDLKSS VARIETIES. J. A. SCHWERIN STILL IN THE LEAD* ) All of my Toys and Fancy Goods are new. No old itock on hn.ud. Presents suitable for old as well as for the young. Come one, come all. awl s?e for yourselves Also a FINE LINE OF BRIDAL PRESENTS. J