Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-12-10
THE GREAT HESPER.
CHAPTER ". CONTINUED.
BY FRANK BARRET"

CHAPTER ~. CoNTlNuED.
It was not the first time l had heard
him talk in this vein. At Natal, on the
ship, he had been in constant dread OF
being robbed. / was glad to get away
from him. As passed the head of the
stairs in going to my room, distinguish
ed the sound-too distant before to tell
upon my duh ear--of Sir Edmund's voice
and the Judges; they were in the library
below. After dressing, l joined them
and found Sir Edmund greatly interested
in Braces description of gold-mining in
CALIFORNIA; subject upon which he
could be eloquent by the hour together.
On the 18th, Sir Edmund, Miss Las
celles and l rode over to Southampton.
Miss Lascelles was in her gayest, happi.
est mood, and in her riding-habit looked
more charming than ever.
In returning we met a friend of Sir
Edmund's; he accepted the invitation to
take lunch at the abbey, and rode beside
the baronet, ahead of us. We two took
the hill so slowly that, coming to the
crossroads, we could not see Sir Edmund
and his friend. There were two ways to
the abbey. After a little deliberation,
Miss Lascelles laughingly consented to
take the longer one.
were glorious The rich warm tints of
the reddening foliage were reflected on
my beautiful companions cheek; her
ewes seemed to catch the glitter of the
dew that still hung on the gossamefs.
forgot what we talked about, but she
was full Of mirth, and now and then the
still woods rang with the musical ca
dence of her laugh. But suddenly the
smile died from her face, and she said:
1--WE forgot poor little Lola"
And then, as If the words had conjured
up her presence, the girl appeared, swift
ly speeding between the red boles of the
hrtrees. We stopped, and l called:
Lola dear, come and speak TO me"
She stood still, and looked as if irresol
lutte whether or not to respond TO my ap-
peal.
Il viii stay here. Go to her." said
Miss Lascelles, softly.
But, as if she had OWNED my inten-
tion, Lola shook her head mournfnlly, as
she had done before, and going her way
was presently hid by the tall brake. As
we crossed the opening where we had
previously seen her, looked back, and
perceived her standing in the same place
gazing after us. 1t was easy to conceive
her misery, and the bitter feelings of her
heart. She was unaltered, but | was no
longer the rough toiler grateful for tin
of water fetched from the stream. All
that was passed. was no longer her
companion. should never, never more
share her hard rare, and look to her to
lessen the hardships of existence.
On the 10th, we went again into the
woods, but on foot, Miss Iascelles and |,
straying thither without purpose from
Y
q stream bridged by a single plank sup
hand-rail but it had fallen away in de-
cay. gave her my hand, the fear of
falling made her clasp my fingers tight
~. She seemed to enjoy the little dan
ger: it animated her face and eyes with
the prettiest, most bewitching expression
imaginable. Her hand seemed to com
municate the quickened pulsation of her
heart. But it was not fear-it was in
toxication that agitated me; and when
she put her foot in safety on the bank,
and looked up into my face with bright
laughter, lost my head completely.
kept her hand in mine, and when she
tried to withdraw it, | forced it to my
lips, and pressed a kiss upon it, The
color left her cheek, and in a tone Of re-
proach she exclaimed: "Oh, Mr.. Thornev'
and / was ashamed. We walked home,
and were very silent on the way.
sought Sir Edmund at once, and, finding
him alone, told him that I wished to
make his daughter my wife. He was
thunderstruck by this sudden and unex-
pected announcement
Il love your daughter" / said, "and I
cannot stay in this house keeping iry
passion secret"
"Well," said he, with rather rueful
pleasantly, ''you have lost no time, Mr..
Thorne, but it would have been a poor
compliment to my daughter had you
failed to perceive her charms"
II should be dull indeed had she failed
to impress me" | replied.
We talked for some time, and finally
be said. with emotion:
Il must give up my dear child, sooner
or later. Her happiness is dearer TO me
than anything; and l can wish her no
greater blessing than to find good and
worthy husband"
AT that moment Edith opened the door
but, seeing us, she stopped in the en-
trance.
Come here, Edith, said Sir Edmund;
and. taking her hand, he continued, ''Mr.
Thorne wishes you to be his wife; is that
your wish alsof"
She buried her burning face in her
fathers shoulder; she could neither say
yes or no.
'.It is a question that should not be de
cided hastily" the baronet continued;
take time. my dear. Meanwhile, l see
no reason for your leaving the house, he
added, addressing me.
"Unless-" faltered.
"Unless Edith wishes it." the baronet
said, helping me out. True. Shall you
feel more at ease, dear, if Mr.. Thorne
goes away-for certain time, say? Shall
he gof1
Still screening her face, Edith shook
her head, and then / knew that / had
==ssiii ==ssiii 9 treasure treasure greater than the Hesper
diamond.
In the afternoon Of the Goth, Sir Ed
mund said:
II have been looking at your engage
ment, Bernard, from practical point Of
view, and fact occurs to me that at
such a time as this, would probably es-
cape you. That agreement of yours
must be altered. ron WIN see that. for
Edith's sake, what call the tontine
elause-a clause comforting upon the sur
rivor a deceased partners share in tie
Great Hesper-should be abrogated It
entails a risk which she must not be ex-
posed to-you understand mef'
] understood what he said perfectly,
and agreed with him that the clause
must be altered.
Consult with your partners" he said,
'.as to what change is advisable / ex-
pect my lawyer here on the oath. and he
IAN then draw up legal agreement in
accordance with our general wish.
took the Judge into Van Hoeck's