Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-06-29

shook Iris as it had not shaken her yet.
Inipulsively she drew his head down to
her, with the fond familiarity OF n sister,
and kissed his forehead. "Oh. Hugh, |
know how you and Arthur loved each 9th
erl No words OF mine can say 10Y l feel
for YOU"
mo words are wanted, my dear" he IAN
swered tenderly. Your sympathy speaks
for itself"
He led her to a chair and seated himself
by her side. Your father has shown me
what you have written to him." he re-
sumed: 'your letter from Dublin and your
second letter from this place. l know
what you have so nobly risked and suf-
fered In poor Arthur's interests. IL will
be some consolation to me IL l can make a
return-a very poor return, Iris-for all
hat Arthur's brother owes to the truest
friend that ever man had. No." ne con-
tiuued. gently interrupting the expression
of her gratitude. Your father has not
sent me here-but he knows that l have
left London for the express purpose OF see.
ing you, and he knows why. You have
written 10 him dutitully and affectionate-
ly: you AVE pleaded for pardon and re-
CANCELLATION, when he Is to blame. Shall
| venture to tell you how he answered me
when | asked il he had no faith left In his
W child' Hugh he said, you are
wasting words on a mar whose mine IL
made up. l will trust my daughter when
that Irish lord Is laid in his grave-not be-
FORE That Is n reflection on you, Iris,
which / cannot permit, even when your
father casts 1t. He Is hard, he is uufor-
giving: but he must, and shall, be con-
justice: l have come here with that pur-
pose, and that purpose only. in view. May
l speak to you OF Lord Harry"
How can you doubt itr"
my dear, this Is q delicate subject for
me TO enter on"
..Aul o-t..s g. -, -
broke ont bitterly. Hugh, you are an
angel by comparison with that man-how
debased ] must be TO love him-how un-
worthy OF your good opinion! Ask me
anything you like; have no mercy on me!
Oh" she cried, with reckless contempt for
herself, why don't you beat me, I de-
serve it,"
Mountjoy was well enough acquainted
with the natures of women TO pass over
that passionate outbreak, instead of tan.
ming the fame In her by reasoning and re-
monstrance.
preston OF feeling" he continued; ''but il
is possible to rouse his sense Of justice by
the expression Of facts. Help me to speak
to him more plainly OF Lord Harry thau
You could speak In your letters. l want
TO know what has happened, from the
time when events at Ardoon brought you
and the young lord together again. to the
time when you left him In Ireland after
my brothers death. II l seem to expect
too much OF you. Iris, pray remember that
am speaking with a true regard for your
interests"
In those words he made his generous ap-
peal to her. She proved herself to be
Stated briefly. the retrospect began with
the mysterious anonymous letters which
had been addressed to Sir Giles.
Lord Harry's explanation had been Of
fered to Iris gratefully. but with some re-
serve, after she had told him who the !
stranger at the milestone really was. IL
entreat you to pardon me, IL shrink from
entering into particulars" hs had said.
circumstances, at the time, amply justi-
fed me In the attempt to use the bankers
political influence as a means OF securing
Arthur's safety. l knew enough of Sir
Giles mean nature to be careful In trust
ing him: but | did hope to try what my
personal influence might do. IL he had
possessed a tenth part OF your courage,
Arthur might have been alive and safe In
England ut this moment. can say any
more: ] daren't say n more: it maddens
me when I think Of it." He abruptly
changed the subject, and Interested Iris
bv speaking of other and later events.
His association with the Invincibles-in-
excusably rash and wicked as he himself
confessed lit o be-had enabled him to PEN
citrate. and for a time to defeat secretly,
the numerous designs OF the Drotner-
hood. His appearances. first ut the farm
house md afterwards at the ruin In the
wood. were referable to changes In the
plans OF the assas sins which had come to
his knowledge. When Iris had met with
him he was on the watch. believing that
his friend would take the short way back
through the wood. and well aware that his
WI life might pay the penalty II he sue
cecled In warning Arthur. After the ter
rible discover OF the murder committed
on the high road aud the escape OF the
miscreant who had been guilty Of the
crime. the parting OF Lord Harry and
Miss Henley had been the next event. She
hod left him. on her return to England,
aud had refused to consent to any Of the
future mcetin - between them which he
bcsonght her to grant.
Al this stage In the narrative. Mountjoy
felt compelled to ask questions more
searching than he had put to Iris yet. II
possible that she might be trusting
her own impressions Of Lord Harry, with
the ul-placed confidence Of u woman limo
Gently self-deceived.
ibid he submit willingly 70 your leav-
Ing hint" Mountjoy said.
Not at tirst." she replied.
Has he released you from that rash en-
gagement, OF some years since, which
pledged you TO marry him"