The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-03-30

other hand, Leonard Harvey came for
| ward to shake hands with him with
quite unaccustomed warmth and hearth
| ness Both men looked at each other
as if anxious to know what brought the
other there. 1t was Mr.. B"'ril gton
who started the inevitable explanations.
I've brought Alsernon with me to-
day" he said presently, lin order to
introduce to YOU what | may call an
Old friend with a new face Here is
my future Son-in-law.'
tlgy looked very uncomfort thle but
Leonard was radiant. Mnna, too,
laughed quite brilliantly and easily.
Its epidemic" sald Leonard, with
an eNulting glance at his late rival;
| 'Minna is going to marry me-"
| 1t was With great relief that all the
| younger members of the party present
| ly heard the carriage wheels outside
AS for Mr. Bennington, who rad been
restless with excitement and expecta-
! ton for the last half hour" he could
| contain his impatience no Longer. He
| rushed out into the hall to meet his
nephew.
Duke, who looked i'll and weak was
getting out of the carriage, assisted Oh
| one side by a servant and on the other
| by his wife, who looked far paler and
more worn than he At the sight of old
Mr.. Bennington, indeed, Cicely's courage
and strength seemed to give way to-
sether. She just managed to totter into
the drawing-room by her husbands
side; and then, with the help of Mnna,
who saw that she was at the end of
her powers Of endurance, she left the
room in time to avoid distressing Duke
and mnistered to her quietly and kind
ly. bathing her temples and letting in
the soft summer air upon her without
one word
But Cicely recovered herself after a
few minutes with a great shock.
90 down. she whispered hoarsely.
and see what that man has come for
Don't let him tease Duke Tell him to
keep his questions-he is sure to ask
ns-till-I-come"
Her voice died away family: she was
worn out. Minna assured her that She
would carry out her wishes faithfully.
and ran down stairs, full Of un peaEa-
bic terror. Somethin. horrible, for
Duke. for all Of them, was going to
haIpen. something to be brought On
by Mr., William Berrington's visit. The
lock exchanged by uncle and neI bew
on their meeting would haze told hpr
TINS, even without Cicalv's anxious
efds. She reached the wing-room
Just too late; Mr. Berringtoa had not
1alled to take advantage of Ciccly.s
absence; and after wasting very little
ume In preliminary speeches, he had
come TO the point just as the girl en-
tered the room
.By-the-by, Marmaduke." no, was
saving, trying to spcak carelessly. but
betraylng his excitement both in lool,
aud tone: "Algernon tells me Of q won.
derful discovery you made in yo1r
Wine-cellar little while ago. Of hid.
den bin of choice wine. l proposc that
III honor Of your return you should take
us down there and let me choose ]
bottle to drink your health on yolr ra-
turn home'
Duke started, flushed deeplv and hes,.
tated. Mr.. Bennington insisted win
rising excitement. The three onloa,.
e's Watcned and listened with painful
,nterest' Mlnna with chill of terror,
nuhes manifest reluctance was SO
great as to fill her with alarm. which
sieW suddenly more definite upon her
uncles next words
Come said he, trying in vain 10
assume locular tone, If YOU wont
let us see into this wonderful cellar wa I
sl,aii lhihk you have something there
Vnlch You want to hide
Duke was standing in the middle Of
Tue room with dazad expression on
us lace, which he had worn from tho
iiist moment that this expedition was
proposed. Now, he stood without an
sNefln2s and when his Uncle thrust his
urn through his TO lead him toward tho
uoort ne seemed too stupefied to Offer.
my resistance. Minna, however. white
i'seed, trembling, sprlng before ,be
door and barred the way.
re must not so downstairs. unelo
lie would catch chill. Remember ha
IS not yet strong =
but MI. bennington brushed hcr o,,t
ol the way, as ii She had been nv
opposition to his stubborn, patient will
Wis altogether useless. Still holainr
Duke $ arm. he merely said to the airi,
6o ana fetch the cellar KEY"
! call I. Clcely has it. cannot die.
'urb her. painted Minna. while thn tn.a
young men stood in the back oro,na
watching and listening with evar.in'
aWkwardness, bewildcrment
and fear. iiien.
Iell her TO fetch it, said Mr. Rar-
rlnsfon to his nephew, in tho tona 80
! dictator 'one oI
nuke nodded to the girl, still IN . ho
half-stupid nlanner
nIlna new out of the room and m.
,sfns ana presented herself, painting
's1ore Clcely. The young wiz ,,,,,"
Vas on her knees, sprang nm - "ho tho
90, ,ar har un,lance, ana put something into
'II :. nanus ,..nc - without waiting 10 be asked,
II was the key Of the cellar
~ n.1l IT, eyes burned brightly. fiercely: