Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1884-04-24
merry look of triumph passed over hia

blushing. -. nsA away
a bright fire burned in Constance
Gwynn's bedroom. She put on her
dressing-gown and dismissed her maid
as soon as the latter had received
Gelert from Archie Gordon's hands
and brought him to his mistress The
q. aog was only seeking company, and not
III. he looked the picture Of content
lnent as ne lay at Constance's feet, and
she, feeling wakeful, sat quietly reading
-though between the page and her
eyes came up Archie's face.
The house had long been still. when
the clock in the corridor struck one.
Gelert at the moment raised his huge
head and listened attentiyely. Con-
stance closed hef book; i and won.
dered why the dog still kept his intent
look;lt made her slightly nervous, and
she began to listen too. Certainly there
was sound as Of q window in the library.
Just beneath her own room, being
opened. The wind and rain made SO
Wild sound that she would have ban
ished the thought of anything but these,
had it not been that Gelert half rose to
his feet with low growl.
"Be quiet, Gelert!" she whispered:
for she feared he would bark, and so
reveal to Miss Dorothy his forbidden
presence.
delert's only answer was to look
earnestly at his mistress, prick his ears
again, and walk slowly to the door.
Constance went into the corridor to
listen. The only person near her was
nervous Miss Dorothy, whom she dread
ed to rouse. Taking firm hold of Gelert's
collar, she softly reached the top OF the
grand staircase, and gleam of noon
light, which burst through the stormy
clouds, lit up with % weird light the
portraits that lined the wall, and then as
suddenly faded. In the darkness Gelert
drew his mistress to the staircase, show.
ing increased anxiety to make her UNDER
stand that there was a cause for his ex-
Ecltement. Constance leaned over the
banister. The door of the library was
partly open and faint light was in the
room. In a moment thought of the
papers Sir Andrew had just brought
from America flashed on Constance; she
remembered that they were of import
ance to Archie, and that some one else
would be glad to get them from him.
Whispering few words to quiet the
dog, she crept softly down the broad
stone staircase, and paused near the
door. Through the cracks she saw that
two men stood at the far end near Sir
Andrews cabinet, and it was open. "A
strange courage came 10 the girl. She
knew that if she could cross to the cor
ner by the opposite window, there was q
xryhf 4.
wing where Sir Andrew slept, and which
would also arouse the servants. In an
other moment she had stopped and
clasped one arm around the dogs neck,
and he seemed to know her wish, for he
crawled stealthily beside her into the
room. They had nearly crossed il when
Gelert drew painting breath, which
startled one of the men. He quickly
turned and aimed q pistol at Constance.
In, an instant she loosed Gelert and
lsprang at the bell--heafds the peal ring
out, pistol shot fred, and aEdog's fu-
rious Worrying-then fell unconscious on
the floor.
GLOW quiet you all are!'' and then
Constance thought she had not said it
such faint voice it sounded. And what
bed was this with great green curtains?
Surely Miss Dorothy's And the room
was dim SO, when Miss Dorothy crept to
the side of the bed, Constance could not
see that her face was wet with thankful
tears.
"My love, you are in my room because
am nursing you.a" -sz.va,e
ssHaye been ill9"s said a weak voice
again.
tIVcc Inor Int 1pnS{ toll -
And Miss Dorothy slipped away to
come back with the old doctor and Sir
Andrew. The patients eyes wandered
toward the door. Sir Andrew whispered
few words to the doctor.
"Oh, there's somebody else, is there?
Well he may come just fora minute. !"
The "somebody" had been outside
waiting.
"My darling" he whispered, holding
the weak little hand.
Constance looked up in his face, trying
to remember something.
"Did we quarrel about -chess-or
somebody"
"Oh, that's all right" answered
Archie, eagerly. "You checkmated me. f"
"Well, but who was shot?"
"That will do now, my dear" said the
good doctor, hastily, motioning all but
Miss Dorothy away. "If you are q
good girl and go to sleep, you shall talk
them all by and-by."
In the library Sir Andrew told the fol-
lowing to his son.
ssWhen / was twenty eight years of
age was still dependent upoa my uncle,
who, though he could not keep the title
from me, had the power of alternating
the property. He wished me to marry
his daughter, but while staying in Paris
fell in love with a beautiful young
American girl who was studying at a
school there. 1 knew her twin brother
more for her sake than for his own, and
he Witnessed my private marriage with
her. Within year my uncle died, and
I was about to travel to America with
my wife and acknowledge her publicly
there, when you were born, and your
dear mother lived but an hour. Her
brother, Jonathan Lee, saw mo in my
deep affection, and urged upon me that
he could acquaint ali American friends
and save me a sorrowful journey. A
year ago learned that you were entitled
to half-share of gone mining property
which had been left to Jonathan Lee
md his sister. or, in event of their death
to you. I went to America, obtained
the necessary papers, and made good
your title to the share in the property,
which Lee had been appropriating. He
lis in England, and may have instigated
the attempt at robbery by bribing that
scoundreJ, the butler; but as the latter
was shot when Gelert sprang on the man
VIZ, o;,,, ad sh;n ,,icfoJ ar (iOnafaaca yuc
will let the; matter drop. The other
hired miscreant escaped, bat l think
Gelert must have hurt him. !"
Constance is lying on a sofa in the
| drawing. room, looking very lovely ifa
little frail. Archie is by her side, and
Gelert rests his huge lead against hel
hand.
seMy darling, the doctors orders are
immediate change Of air for you. A
month ago begged you to name the
day, SO now you will promise to agree
to very quiet wedding here week o,
1 {o1,