Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-09-08

What did you talk about?n
~ sorts of things. He asked me how
OLD l was-that was very rude, wasn't it?-
ana all about my father and mother, and
now IT was I lived with the Kestertons.o
And what did you say?"
about me than 1 could myself. He seemed
rather surprised. I should not wonder il
you came in for a cross-examination this
evening""
agains" 80
,.Yes. why?" .
VI suppose because he liked your 80.
clety," replied Maitland, willfully misin-
Serpretlng her question. "Be sure you
come TO the terrace at the same time to-
YES, ! will make a point of it, so you
can consider yourself relieved.0
may be relieved, but I don't intend to
DC dismissed again." replied Maitland with
q laugh. II suppose 1 have no excuse good
enough for coming inf" he added, as they
reached the door of the villa hired by the
Kesteftons.
" . %ustleaveyouto settle that question:"
II have no excuse to make at all, but Pm
coming IN all the same, if you will let me-"
"1S ISN'T my house" replied Amy.
.inat IS very ungracions invitation"
SAID Maitland, as he accompanied herinto
the hall. . =
When Maitland, half an hour later, re.
CuIned 10 his patient, he found him talking
d IS making acquaintances today
1nought the young doctor. AS he ap.
proached, however, he saw that the SUP.
posed stranger was Mr.. Fletcher's nephew.
Fred Dexter.
"Ah, Maitlandv' was his greeting, "here
l an1eyou see." -
yes, put in the old gentleman, on whose
nature his nephew always acted as an
1~rrltant; "'where the carcase Isl YOU
know, Maitland"
.oh, come, uncle, you're not a carcase
yet," protested Dexter. "You might have
I'LL you were n before I came to see vou,0
seems to be under the impression
That shall be able to blame him after Pm
Dead" remarked Mr.. Fletcher, sarcastic.
ally; to Maitland.
"Oh, come, uncle, I don't see why you
on all I say"
iii, 1T Won't bear any other,n pettishly re-
here?"
maitland. Iwrote and askedhim about
you"
HDo you mind letting me see that letter?u
Maitland here interposed and said he be.
lieved he had not kept it.
That a pity" said Dexter; ~ should
like to have shown it to you that you might
see what my letters about you are like"
Lett us go in,N said Mr.. Fletcher; SPIN
getting tired. You will dine with us to.
night?"
"Many thanks, uncle, but I've promised
TO see some people Tonight"
..They are called Kesterton."
DO you know them?" inquired Maitland,
"oh, yes, very well. Do youg"
"Slightly."
"There is a very nice girl in the house, a
sort Of companion, or governess. She's
called Fletcher, same name as uncle's. Odd
coincidence, isn't itY"
"Come!" said Mr., Fletcher. perempto.
rily.
After dinner, instead of trying to get his
usual nap, Mr.. Fletcher sat in his easv.
chair, evidently in a very excited frame Of
mind. He seemed undecided what to do;
he fdgeted about with one book and an.
other till at last he threw them down. and
called out, 'Maitland"
"Yes."
"Let me see the letter that precious
nephew of mine wrote you. You haven't
destroyed it. I could see well enough that
you were, only trying to screen him. He
torn up"
81 have it, it's true," replied Maitland,
but l can't show it you without his per.
mission"
1o gave lC.S
.But I told him I thought I had destroyed
it."
every well. if you don't show it me I
shall conclude the worst; it's clear you
would let me see it in a moment if it was
fit to be seen. Fred had better take care;
he knows that he is my heir, but he dosn't
know how near he is to having his expecta-
tions disappointed. Pm afraid he's a
scamp, and it will be a bad job for him #
he cam conceal the fact a few months
longer"
Maitland did not attempt to defend Dex-
ter; both his conscience and inclination
were against such a course. He knew that
Enthusiastically and selfish fellow, and he
had strong reasons for hoping that his sue.
cession to Mr.. Fletcher's money might
never become a fact. f
The old man seemed inclined to talk this
evening. He turned himself round to face
'She is governess at the Kestertons.O
"Why? Who got her the place"
~ did, replied Maitland, looking rather
guilty.
elm! you SCENT to take a considerable
intesest in this young lady. Has she any
money!"
"None whatever"
''Then who paid for her schooling?"
"Her father left enough to cover most of
the expense"
And you supplied the restW
Maitland's look was sufficient to condemn
him.
tits a nice, romantic story" continued
the old man; s'when do you propose to
marry herr"
81 don't know" replied the young doc
tor; ''perhaps not at ALL"
"You mean she doesn't care for you?"
"No, l don't mean that; but I am in a
very peculiar position in regard to her."
oWhat is the %DeculiaritV?W
edo you ask me to tell your"
ayes; why notw
81 didn't like to do so without your ask.
ing me directly. 1 have reason to believe
that she may be an heiress."
81 don't see why that should stop YOUR
"No, perhaps not; though people would
doubt my sincerity in proposing to a girl
so rich as she may become.0
SIT is very odd that an heiress should be
q governess."
aShe doesn't know who she is" explained
Maitland. II am the only one in the world
who does know. Suppose that I ask her
hand-she may accept me; aftelward she
discovers that she is very rich; what will
she think of me then? She will Judge me
to be the most despicable man in the
world"
"Why not tell her she is an h~eiresy, and
then propose? If she loves you, the fact
that she is rich will only add to her will
ingness SO accept YOU"
81 can not tell her because she may never