The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-01-31

SELF"
II know she 'aven't gone and d ne
notl.in' of the sort. You are a simple
old lady," said Bridget with contempt,
her thoughts actively springing to the
most exciting notion; why she's just
took herself off with that there gentle
man as came n evening, and that's
what you saw, Mrs. RobertSon-and
Wolf barking too-and it's a real down
right shame l call it, when the masters
away on such an errand, that 1 do
.Hand your tongue. ye saucy wench,"
cried Janet, who was apt to become
Scotch when put out. How dare ye
say such things o. a wife?"
"Well, didn't you see some one?"per-
sisted the housemaid, undaunted. 1.-THE
best thing you a do is to send for
master"
Poor Mrs. Robertson began to cry
very bitterly. The more she had pro-
tested. the more she had felt in her
heart that she had not much ground to
stand upon, and she felt thoroughly
helpless. She had not a notion what to
do, whether to send and seek her mis-
tress, make inquiries, or let the matter
rest till her master returned.
And, OH" cried the faithful woman,
putting her apron over her head and
iulllN SppblIIS. MIIbu CUNNING ilSlliV l Y
will be? Oh, Lord! oh, Lord! what will
| we do?"
"She might have. gone out on the
beach," suggested Bridget, obviously.
| 1t was clear she made the remark from
a sense of duty. and would have felt
some little disappointment had her sur
mise proved correct. But Janet caught
at it. and soothed herself by protesting:
"She was just nathin' but an auld foo
not to think o. that at once"
All search on beach and rock proved
fruitless, however. No one had seen
Erica, not even the fishermen, who re-
turned early in the morning; and the
day wore on without any tidings of the
son, with heavy heart indeed, wrote
Il letter to her master, as carefully
worded as she knew how to make it,
poor soul.
Mr.. ST. JoHN,-Sir. please come home Mt
once. We're in dreadful trouble, there being
only Bridget and mo to think. and we don't
know what To do. Pardon the liberty / take in
JANET ROBERTSON"
She did not know where he was OK
actly. but addressed the letter to More
Tvs Hotel, where she knew he often
STAYED when in town; but Philip was
then at Wilton-Ie-Thorpe, and the letleT
reached him just after his brothers flu
neral, when he was about to start for
London once more to settle all claims
against the dead, of which there were
not a few. But he altered his determi.
nation at once on receipt of that mes
sage. which somehow fell like lead on
his heart. Was Erica ILL? Why did
she not write? Why had she sent nc
line?
Il am afraid you have had more bad
news said his cousins voice. the heaC
of the family at whose house he wa
staying, and Philip looked up, crushing
the letter in his hand.
Il am called home" he said. ~ mus
go at once. / fear Erica is i'll. | shal
catch the train to Pelham End. if
leave at once, and can change there tol
Rington."
There vas no more than time for tn.
warm hand-clasp, which spoke sucl
sympathy. and the earnest words:
Write and let us know if it is illness
! fear all this trouble has been too mucl
for her."
And then Philip was gone.
On the third day from that on which
Erica left her home, Philip st. JOIN
once more set foot i'll that housc-de
serted, desolate! Was it d~ishonored?