The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-08-23
hear Of the secret, Grace2"

was only by the most supreme effort
that she could keep herself from faint
ing.
As soon as she could do SO without
being observed, the guilty woman es-
capped to her own room. Here she
threw off all restraint, and gave way
to the terrible agony of fear and re-
morse that consumed her.
The secret of the turret floor is
known" she muttered despairingly,
and that creature will discover where
it is. | saw the threat in her eyes when
she looked at me.
Il will open the floor to.night,n and
her eyes looked cold and cruel as the
words Kissed between her teeth. ''Iwil1
lower a lamp into the shaft and see
what lies there. I have been afraid
sightless eyes and look upon her dead
face than endure the grin of that mock
ing witch whom l was mad enough to
invite here,n
Having made this resolution, she
managed before. nightfall to procure a
covered lantern aud a long cord, and to
hide them in the room the floor of which
hid such a CHASTITY secret.
This had been easy enough, because
the great hall was in the same part of
the building, and several times during
.iuu"J Sio i'ou eV'ioi1eieu 10 necessary
to go and personally inspect and super
intend the decorations of holly, mistle-
toe, and hot-house flowers.
She made Il pretelce OF cliticising the
arrangement of the tables, and the or
der i'll which the guests We're to be
placed, and she stood over the servants
while everything was altered and re-
arranged according to her orders.
do you expect many guests tonight
besides those staying in the house ~
Miriam asked Mr.. Lilburne as the COM
pany was about to disperse and dress
for dinner.
"Yes,a great number" twas the reply.
"By the way, Grace,n he added, turn
ing to his daughter, ibid l tell you that
Roland Ayre wrote to me to say he was
coming Tonight"
"Eolaid!" repeated Grace in dismay.
Yes, | wrote to invite him to dinner;
he says he cannot come till later in the
evening, but he will come"
Did he say nothing else?" asked the
daughter hoarSely.
Yes; he did say something else, but
it's OF no conseQuence-at least. no con-
sequence to YOU" and MI. Lilburne
turned away.
Grace asked no more; she was begin
hing to feel like a creature at bay,
hunted Oh every side with no avenue of
escape open to her.
Why did her father invite Roland
Ayre, and why. above all things, had
the invitation been accepted?
After Il time, CONSERVATION gave place
to mirth, and she laughed bitterly as
she remarked to Victor.
Your cousin gives a striking proof
OF masculine consistency. Last year
when he went away he said he would
never enter Silverton Castle again UNI
less he brought Kate with him, or came
to meet her.
And how do you know that he won't
bring Kate with him?n asked Miriam
Hindman boldly.
Grace looked at her for one moment
with a scorniul scowl then turnedaway
without deigning to utter Il word of
reply.
She noticed, however, that her father
was eager and nervous, and %pleasurably
excited, and that he looked younger
and stronger than he had done for some
months past.
Surely papa does not think of mar
rylng that horrid girl Grace eXclaim-
ed us she watched her father and Miri-
am talking together in a confidential
and aifectionate ann
u shouldn't think he'd have the
Chance" returned Victor; "she's an
uncommonly nice girl"
oh yes, know you think there is
nobody like her. sneered Grace.
AT any rate, | didn't invite her
mere, retorted the young man an
grily.
We'll, no, you couldn't very we'll, as
IL is my fathers house." she replied;
but / wonder since you admire her SO
much you don't marry her."
SI am liEa vonr fofbnr IN tb,t ~
spect: [ haven't the chance he said
coldly.
Then he crossed the room and Joined
the couple of whom they had been talk
ing.
Grace was very angry, but she did
not follow him. and soon after this the
first gong sounded-a hint that it was
time to dress for dinner.
Miriam l1lndman, instead of going
upstairs like the other girls, sauntered
into a little study she knew of. where
CRATE, and the lamp was turned low.
Despite her assumption of cheerful
ness and high spirits, her heart was
sad and heavy.
Victor Gayherd had been the n
love of her life, and though they had
parted in pique and anger more than a
year ago, and just before her father
had lost the greater part Of his fortune,
she had always expected her truant
lover to return to her.
But this hope had died out now, for
he was pledged to become the husband
of another before twenty-four hours
had passed.
She had seated herself on a hassock
before the fire, her hands clasping her
head, and her elbows resting on her
knees, and she was thinking sorrowful-
ly of the man She still loved so we'll.
lie will have a very miserable life"
she unused, particularly so il Grace
does not get the large fortune she an
%ticipates; and he will, no doubt, often
wish he had not taken me at my word
When L told him to go and find q richer
wife. All me! people think me bright
and witty, the men admire me. and the
girls envy me, and yet L am the most
miserable woman i'll this house to-
n,ght!-yes. quite the most miserable"
Her meditations were here interrupt
ed by an arm being clasped round her
waist, n by some member of the op-
poslte sex very theoretically kissing
her.
She looked up, struggled to her feet,
and recognizing her companion, she
exclaimed pasSionately:
Victor, how dare you insult me like
this?'
Il only kissed you under the mistle-
toe he pleaded with mock humility,
holding up a spray of the w~hite-berried
plant.
Under the mistletoel'' she exclaim-
ed with increasing anger. II wonder
you are not ashamed TO look me in the
face. l wonder you dare to come into
a Dom where l am alone"
We'll, it is a risky thing to do" he
replied recklessly; "but / wanted to
speak to you, and | may not have n
other chance"
That is highly probable. What have
you to sayy"
Il want to know why you came
here?'
Il came because l was invited,n was
the naughty reply.
You had some other reason" he
persisted.
81 had two or three other ~reasons,'
she replied with a short laugh.
"One of them was to make me feel
what a fool I'd been TO think Of marry
Ing that waAen-taced doll While you are
free"