The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-06-13

and he started with unfelgned aston
iShment when he saw Fairfield, FOR
he had been given To understand that
he was man about his own age.
II suppose | am addressing the per-
son | really came to SeeE he sald,
taking the seat offered him; you
were-you are acquainted with LORD
I.ilburne of SilvertonE
Fairfelds face slightly flushed as he
replied:
Lord Lilburne las helped me to
the position | now hold; do you come
to me from him."
Yes, he told me where l should
find Won. and | should have sought
YOU some months ago. but | have
been very i'll in consequence OF
shock received on Christmas Day.
"A shock" repeated Fairfield.
Yes; you have heard OF the
strange disappearance of LORD LII
burne's eldest daughterE
And as he asked this question Lord
Roland looked keenly at the man he
had been assured was his rival.
Il have had no direct communica-
ton with the Lilburnes for more than
"A year." replied Fairfield. meeting his
companions fixed gaze without way
ering: "be good enough to. tell me
what has occurred
Lord Roland complied. and he told
his attentive listener how when the
merry making was tagging on Christ
mas night. Grace Lilburne had pro-
posed game of hide ana seek, and
how she had persuaded Kate to JOIN
in the game. the latter having been
lost from that time to the present.
"Ah. then it was Grace who ma
with Kate" remarked Fairfield
thOughtfully; what did she say had
become of her sister,
she didn't know"
And did she make no suggestionE
and the engineer locked at the noble
man sharply.
Yes: it was she who mentioned
your name" replied the uobleman, with
hesitation.
"Ah. | thought so. She suggested
that had persuaded her sister 10
elOpe with me, | SUI poser
Something of the kind
And may / ask. L ord Roland, why
you come to me from Lord Lilburne!
Why did he not come to me himself
or send for me? | should have been
only too ready To obey his call
He ridiculed the idea that yOu
would harm his daughter; he said
you had given him your wCrd never 10
press your suit with her again. and
that he had as much confidence in
your word as he had in mine"
"Ah"'
There was pain. satisfaction and re-
lief in the exclamation.
\ few seconds later he spoke again.
You have not explained your inter
est in the matter. Lord Roland. |
don't understand what Miss Lilburnc
was TO you"
she was my promised wife," was
the answer.
Fairfield Shrank Il little as though
he had received a blow. and his pale
face became still paler, but he quickly
recovered himself. ard he asked, with
a sichly smile on his face:
do you seriously believe that Kate
Lilburne. your promised wife, would
Voluntarily leave her fathers roof to
lun away with me-
Most certainly not was the prompt
reply.
You think l carried her away by
violence, them
Good heavens. no. | should not be
here talking calmly if believed such
a thing possible"
Then what made you come 70 me:'
Il came, as drowning men clutch at
straws, to ask you if you can, or will,
help me-" was the eager response.
Nobody else can. | feel convinced.
IT is for Rates sake rather than my
own, that | ask you. The mystery
that surrounds her fate maddenS and
appals me. | love her so truly that if
it would be for her happiness | would
rather see her your wife than have
any doubt rs to her safety or well
fare"
My wife," repeated Fairfield, with
mournful bitterness: the woman is
not born who will be my wife. But
you ask for my help, and perhaps
will give it to you. | must think the
matter over, however. Will You call
on me three days hence, or. better
still give me an address where | can
write To yOu?'
And you will write to me-" asked
his lOrdship. as he gave him his adj
dress in town.
Yes. | Will write without fail
Then Lord Roland reluctantly went
away.
He would have liked to ask several
questions, but he felt that if he did
50 the engineer would think he doubt
ell him. and he estimated the mans
character with sufficient accuracy tn
feel convinced that only by treating
him with perfect trust and confidence
could he win his cooperation.
But as Roland Eyre walked away
from Fairfields office. it was with the
disag reeable conviction that the latter
had questioned and crosS-questioned
him, and learning all that lie had 10