Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-05-31
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lily. but returned IN a very few mo-
ments. announcing With pale lips, that
it was not in its usual place.
'She must have hid it." said Mr..
Bennington. shortly.
They all felt that the matter was
growing more serious.
The elder man led the way toward
the cellar stairs, having evidently learn
ed from Algy which way to turn.
What are you going to do?" Mlnna
ventured to ask in Il faltering voice
."Pick or force the lock-" answered
her uncle, shortly.
She did not dare to demonstrate, eX-
cept by long drawn breath of amaze
ment at this high-handed proceeding.
1t was the most intense relief that.
when the two gentlemen We're already
halfway down the stone steps. she
heard the carriage wheels outside, fol-
lowed Immediately by a ring. She
rushed back through the hall and met
Cicely as the latter entered.
OH cried the girl. in 4 voice full
OF contrition. I'm so glad you've
come" Dragging her sis -er-in-law
along in the direction Of the cellar
staircase. out of earshot of thu servants.
she whispered rapidly: sour uncle is
here-Mr. William Bennington. He is
going down-to the cellar!'
| In moment Cicely's face grew gray.
She tottered and swayed as if all her
strength was suddenly gone. But as
| Minna put out her arms to support her
the elder woman thrust her aside. and
recovering her powers. reached the bot
tom of the stone staircase before the
girl had even time to turn round.
| Mr. Berrington's hands We're already
busy with the lock. Cicely. with vio-
lence of which her slight form did not
seem capable, pushed back the solidly-
built man and placed herself between
him and the cellar door.
How dare YOU" She said. hoarsely,
her voice low and trembling. take
such liberty in a house while the mas
! ter is away! Go at once-at once:
and don't dare-to come back-till he
is here himself-again"
Il am surprised, Mr.. Hurst. that you
should take part in What is-nothing
| less-than an outrage" she painted out.
He, too, had nothing to say. With
some murmured words Of humblest re-
greet he followed her way upstairs both
gentlemen had left the house.
|
CHAPTER VIII.
Duke COnfcsses.
On the afternoon of the day of Dukes
! return from the hospital. Leonard Har-
vey, who has been very renliss in his
attendance during the past fortnight,
called while Cicely was dressing to
start NIiuna, who was not going with
her, was sitting at her embroidery i'll
| the drawing room. When Leonard en-
tered. she glanced up with a flush Oh
her face. He WAS looking even more
solemn than usual. and, as usual. he
seemed to have nothing to say. Minna,
of course, affected to think his visit
was for Ciccly alone.
Il am afraid she will have hardly a
moment to spare for you." she said.
the hospital. and is afraid Of being late.
She is very much obliged to you for cali
ing the other day-when she was out"
when yon We're OUT corrected Leon
ard, as solemnly as ever You know
who my visits are for
whoever they are for, they haven't
been very frequent lately returned
A[inna. with a slight but naughty turn
of the head.
Tiff that person had cared to have
any more. she would not have had to
complain of any deficiency in that re-
Spcct
Leonard was sitting very stitfly and
staring straight before him out Of the
window.
Il suppose you mean.' said Minna.
with light laugh and an assumption
| of great indifference. that your visits
We're for NE and l didn't appreciate
| Them
Yes admitted Leonard. II suppose
1 did mean something like that. You
tolerated me while my dullness was
mitigated by Hurst's liveliness; but
when his visits ceased
He stopped abruptly for Il quick
movement on the part of Nlinna told
him what dreadful blupder he had
made. There was dead pause.
| II see" said the girl at last in Il chill
ing tone, you take your cue from Mr..
Hurst
IF I did" said Leonard in a sort of
stangled voice, Il should go and offer
my worthless attentions to some other
girl. some girl with money
| Minna rose and walked TO the piano,
trying. not very successfully, to assume
|
conversation.
81 don't think YOU could possibly do
better" She threw this speech care
lessly at him as he passed.
She began to play Il waltz. one Of
which Algy Hurst was fond. but the
tiniling emptiness Of which, as Leon
ard had often confessed nearly drove
the latter mad. SO he stood bolt up
right in the bend Of the grand piano,
tapping the case nelvously as he spoke.
You don't think l should be capable
Of such a think. Miss Minna? In fact
need not ask you. For if / were not
cursed with Il dog-like fidelity which is
proof against snubs. you would long
ago have had TO see that my devotion
to you is worth something
| Perhaps do know it now" she said
at last.
There WAS Il dead silence again, Leon
ard being Il great deal too shy to avail
himself Of this opening. although Min
ma waited for him obligingly.
But there limits to the patience Of
every girl, and especially to that of one
who knows she is going to be proposed
! RI se,v Il s.