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CHAPTER H.

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CHAPTER H. THE SHOOTING PARTY. Nythfa was about from an early hour on the day of the shoot, seeing to her gun, her gaiters, and the loose cape that gave the finish to her neat workman-like get up." Punctually at ten o'clock the sportsmen set out, and Gwynie, left alone, watohed them start-her father and his old friend, Captain Parry, in front, Nythfa and young Glauafon following, the dogs and beaters waiting in the home wood. Shall I carry your gun? What a beauty it is." "Oh, no, thanks; I never part with it. It is one my father had made purposely for me." And do you mean to say you can stand a day's hard work on these hills ? Eren I imd it no joke. She smiled. "I could manage the whole day very well, but I generally raturn about luncheon time, so, when Gwynie appears with the pony-cart, she will carry me back with her." I think it is very jolly having you with us," he said, boyishly. Then you do not consider it a very outrk proceeding ?" Independent young woman, as she was, she felt she would like to stand well in his opinion. I like you for it—it makes us seem real confreres. That is, if you would care to own me as such." What a splendid idea And her brown eyes flashed their pleasure. We shall be able to share eaoh other's pursuits, advise each other, and be as nice and friendly as possible." And his quiet Yes, I should like it," oar- ried a lot of meaning. 80 the winter day drew to its close. There was heard a pleasant hum of voices and the barking of dogs as the sportsmen returned. The Mioes Lloyd flitted into the drawing-room, and from his look-out in one of the windows Owen Glan- afon s tall figure came forward to meet them. How cold you must be," said Gwynie, j pointing to one of the low basket chairs by the fire. Yes, coM enough to appreciate thischeer- ful blaze," he said easily, and again the girls wondered at his quiet assurance. Father tells me that you did not do much after I left." Nyihfa had changed her plain tailor-made gown for a soft, white dress that suited her bright complexion and supple, young figure. NO, we were lazy," and as he gave his arm to take her into dinner he continued in a tone, half joking, half serious, "1 hardly know my confrere this evening." She was girl enough to enjoy his evident appreciation, as she said, with a pretty smile, She is here, though." It was a pleasant little party that was gathered round the Cwm dinner-table that evening, and Nythfa secretly laughed as she glanced at her neighbour and remembered the many tales she had heai d to his disparagement. ent. Could ihis young fellow, who was keeping the whole table merry over his livelv anecdotes, 11 be the same shy, taciturn, and unsociable stranger whose acquaintance the whole neigh- bourhood bad tried to cultivate in vain ? Could be who was taking such frank, hearty interest in all their talk and plans be the one of whom some friends had asked her only the day before," How many words di i you get from him, Nythfa, when he oalled?" And now the blue eyes turn towards her, as Owen asks her opinion on some little matter in an eager, animated way, and she enters at once into the discussion. Captain Lloyd, look- ing up from his fish to moot some question on public affairs, paused a moment to watoh the two, and smiled indul- gently at his little daughter. Nythfa was not wont to be so merry and talkative with her father's guests. You will think me far behind the times, but I have not even heard of the subjeot," Glanafon was saying. I never get my papers by any chance under a three days' post down here, and sometimes it takes four days for a variety "—this with a droll look at Nythfa. Who wants to be in touch with the world in a lovely old valley among the Welsh hills ?" was her ready retort. I think it is a pity we have been educated up to a daily newspaper, particularly as we cannot get it," he said drily. "Ah, country posts bad weather and bad roads, one must expect a little delay," said Captain Lloyd, calmly. I do nut really complain; I like this quiet old valley, far removed from the bustle and whirl of the world," Owen remarked. The monastic times would have suited you, then," said Nythfa; "you would have appreciated the safe shelter of a priory. For my part, I call the genus monk a selfish and unmanly order. They ran out of the fray when best equipped for fighting-escaped all trouble and duties worthy of the name." He rather liked to see the flash of the brown eyes, though he answered quietly enough, "Are you not a little inconsistent ? I thought you would like me to appreciate your quiet valley, and when 1 honestly say I do, why do you compare me, disdainfully enough, to a monk ?" But at this moment Gwynie rose, and with a laughing You must try and work out the puzzle," Nythfa followed her sister out of the room, and when the gentlemen joined them later it seemed, by the thoughtful look on young Glanafon's face, that he was still trying to solve the problem, lie did not make his way up to the piano, where Gwynie was playing, but sat at some little distance, half hidden by the folds of a curtain. Nythfa gave one glance in his direction. lie was enjoying the music in his own way,and delightfully unconscious that it was at least a little unusual to sit thus apart. She waited till the last notes of Gwynie's nocturne had died away, and then crossed the room to him. Perhaps you would like to look at these photographs. I daresay you and my sister will find some mutual paths of remembrance. I can only look on," and Nythfa drew up her low chair and leant her head on her hands as she bent forward. Once or twice he turned to her with a quick 11 I wish you had been there You ought to have seen those Bunsets at Genoa! What a pity it is you have never been abroad ?" It is very interesting to hear your descriptions, and it must be all very beautiful, but you cannot make me disloyal to my first ideal—Wales." I don't know that I wish to," he said, with an amused look. Were your old monks lacking in patriotism? If so, I can quite understand your contempt for them." She gave a little shrug of her shoulders, No one who possessed youth and a proper amount of spirit would ever have become a monk, in my opinion. All the heroes I have read about ride out into the world to do good deeds and brave. It is only when they are old and grey, and worn with their long fight against wrong and oppression, that they return to the happy valley they left so long ago." From the depths of her great wicker chair she looks up at Owen, with her beautiful hazel eyes the delicate face, that shows every minute shade of feeling, and which varies as often as her moods, take3 a very earnest look. Owen, standing up, tall and burly, sipping his coffee, colours a little, for he can partly read her allegory. He did not say any- thing then, being one of those who like to thoroughly thresh out a new idea and in his lonely walk home that night he pondered deeply over Nythfa's suggestive words. As he bade his young hostess good night pretty Gwynie remarked easily, We are always at home Sunday afternoons if you would like to come in." He looked pleased, but hesitated over his answer. Thanks I should like to, but it is only Friday to-day." That will make no difference if you feel inclined for the walk." In that oase I will come with pleasure," and he was rewarded with a little satisfied nod from his confrere. (To be concluded next week.) I

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