Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-09-10
"a Dangerous Game.
By THE AUTHOR OF my DEAREST HEAHr."

A1tN O0n tAlSlfDtc Was l1t ONt tliIiL a
bad not dreamed Of; but he was, l found,
the elder brother, and the heir by birth TO
81. Gabriel's Grange, but dislnherited by
his uncle. ! could not but wonder In my
W mind what Mr.. Gascolgne could have
found against this young fellow that he
should deprive him Of his heritage.
L stole a furtiye glance at him now and
again as he talked; II was a frank and pleas
ant face i looked at. He was older than 1
had perhaps at first supposed. There was q
decision about his mouth, a slight frOwn Of
the brows, and lines here and there, telling
that his path had not been all roses, nor his
life without thought.
We walked and talked on for some time.
I am half surprised now to think that l was
not embarrassed or perplexed by his ailu-
sions TO those family concerns at the Grange
of which | knew absolutely nothing; but at
the time it all seemed perfectly natural, and
/ listened and responded without a thought
OF his probably mistaken view of my posi-
ton. We meet sometimes In our lives men
and women with whom II comes instructive
ly to fall at once into friendly relations. II
was so with me that afternoon. / was con-
tent 20 meet those frank gray eyes and listen
10 that pleasant voice without needing much
else.
How far behind your brother aud Annis
srer' | exclaimed az last, glancing back
down Che lane.
at would not be kind TO remain in ear
sarvt," te unr~-rca, ieaghinS, III wish An
MS would summon up courage to allow UNI
Gle Richard to be told Of her engagement.
She seems afraid of the very mention Of
ITN.f.s. 80, a., hi - -.
should she care? Uric has fortunately in
herited sufficient property from his mother
10 live on; he is not a soldier Of fortune, like
myself"
You think Mr. Gascoigne would be
angry?'
''Oh, yes, certainly! lie has shut us out
entirely frsm his favor, you know. Some
times | think Annls's sisters have more 10
do with keeping the secret than Annis her
self. They might share my uncle's indigna-
ton unless he We're % forgive her. Poor
uncle Richard! 1t could not be much salts
faction 20 him 10 discard them also. But l
ain glad Uric chose Annis instead OF hand
some Hilda, and, in fact, | question whether
Hilda would have looked at him and his
modest establishment"
''She would make a stately duchess" l
answered. ''She Is almost too handsome
for everyday life"
YES" he smiled; love In a cottage
would not he In her line. hope she will
win the duke. But Annis may know more
Of love in her humber walk, and Uric may
possibly be happier than the duke"
Two figures were advancing down the
pathway towards us, growing nearer and
clearer.
"Here are Gwendollne and lIilda," said
Mr.. Gascoime. 1T is not often / see Gwen
now, perhaps because there is hardly Room
for three Ia this little path"
As we met, Hilda Farquhar flashed a
glance at me. Ii was the first time I had
encountered the full gaze of those blue eyes
that were accustomed TO deny me even the
honor OF a look, bat which l had seen fixed
80 calmly aud steadily on other faces; aud
now / was startled at the sharp angry light
darted upon me. had seen scorn and rest
less passion in G~wendoiine's eyes, and il
had not hurt me, for it scarcely seemed alat
/ myself could have caused IL. But this
brought suddenly 10 my brain amazement
and horror and pain, for in that one swift
glance l read hatred.
1t was only for a second. Miss Farquhar
turned with a smile and a slightly risen
color 10 Mr.. Gaseoigne.
How do you do, Giibert?' she said. II
thought we should see you to-day"
Did you? Annis told me you were out
somewhere-she did not know where. How
asa Saa. Gr.ta.aaliaaJ'
II did not know you were acquainted with
Miss Thorne," said Gwendoline abruptly.
bNatfhnr hn1 4 that niaautra mill Ami.
effected the introduction some ten minutes
since"
Did Annis tell you that she Is Mr.. Gas.
coigne's new secretary
1t might have been the rudeness Of her
speech or simply the Information therein
which took him abaek and brought the
sharp decided answer
'Annis simply introduced Miss Thorne as
her friend. | hope my uncle has not forbid.
den the acquaintance, Miss Thorne@'
rs that likely?' said Gwendoline. '0r
do you suppose she would heed II 1t were
the case? Mr.. Gascoigne is confined to his
rooms. She Is, Annis should have told you,
his companion, amanuensis, i~ntelligencer,
and everything else that her predecessors.
Granville Cox and James Staunton, were."
"You will have a busy time them" Mr..
Gascoigne said simply, addressing me in the
same pleasant tones as before. II hope you
will not tire of il so soon as they did, nor
omit TO take regular walks"
Naturally she has a great deal to do; but
walks may form part of her business"
Gwendollne replied tauntingly.
II do not understand your meaning In the
least, Lady Martini" | said. IF you mean
10 intimate that l come out by Mr.. Gas
~coigne's orders, you know that is not the
case. l came by your sisters invitation. II
you mean that Mr.. Gascolgne has forbidden
me TO know his nephew, / can only say that
Mr.. Gascoigne has never mentioned his
name to me-"
Gilbert knows what l mean. He Is the
only person to whom am speaking" Gwen
d0line answered contemptuousiy.
"Shall we walk on 10 meet Annis?" put
In Hilda, with perfect calmness. 1T is too
cold TO stand. How do you and Mr.. Garden
get on together, Gilbert? You can still find
time, it seems, for walking out in the morn
ings."
/ noticed afresh, as she spoke to him,
what an exquisite face 10 was that turned
with a slight smile to his. The GOODNESS and
the pride had gone, and left a radiantloyelf
hess In their place.
AS the way was so narrow, / fell back.
and Mr.. G~ascoigne stepped behind a space
also"
please walk on with your cousins, Mr..
G~ascoigne," l said, In low tones; and indeed
Gwendeline was already by his side.
Two Is company" she said, with q laugh.
changing her tone In that chameleonitke
fashion which again and again had puzzled
me. Perhaps Miss Thorne will give mo
the pleasure of her company, and l can tell
her your history, since Annis has afforded
information and my uncle has been equally
uncommunicatiye. Will you join Hilda,
Giibert?'
Perhaps she expected me, on this hint to
display some curiosity. / cannot say; but l
spoke no word In reply; and we walked ON
IN perfect silence, Gilbert Gascoigne ana
hts beautiful cousin some PAGES in advance
Of us, her fair smiling face turning every
now and again TO him, and an occasional
word only reaching US.
We left the gentlemen by the stone wall.
passing through q rusty Iron gate Into the
Grange grounds and walking by the lake
and the ~shrubbery to the hall door.
Annis addressed to me q smiling innocent
remark or two, which I answered simply
and quietly. Her sisters said nothing to
me, nor / 10 them. As we parted In the hall,
Lady Martin Pomercy came to my side for
mn instant.
snow, spy" she whispered tauntingiy,
49, all x,x.,r sooofor all vnu hova ooarn and