The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-06-27
CHAPTER. y-(ContIneudJ

covered, she WAS pretty sure u collc
upon it.
DO you expect many guests tonight
besides those staying in the house!
she asked Lord Lilburne some time
later as the company was about to dis
perse and dress for dinner.
Yes. great number" was the re-
ply. BY the way, Grace" he added,
turning to his daughter, did / tell you
that Lord Roland Ayre wrote to me to
say he as coming to-nightT'
Lord Roland"' repeated Grace in dis
may.
Yes: wrote to invite him to dinner.
He says he cannot come till later in
the evening, but he will come"
Did he say nothing else" asked the
daughter hOarsely.
Yes; he did say something else, but
It's of no cOnsequence-at least, no con-
sequence TO you," and his lordship
turned away.
Grace asked no more. She was be-
ginning TO feel like a creature at bay,
hunted on every side, with no avenue
of escape open to her.
Why did her father invite Lord Ro-
land Ayre, and why. above all things,
had the invitation been accepted?
After Il time, however, CONSERVATION
gave place To mirth, and she laughed
bitterly as she remarked to Sir Victor:
Your cousin gives a striking proof
Of masculine consistency. Last year
when he went away he said he would
never enter Silverton Castle again I'M
less he brought Kate with him, or
came TO meet her
And how do You know that he won't
bring Kate with himT' asked Miriam
Hindman boldly.
Grace looked at her for one moment
with scornful scowl, then turned
away without deigning to utter one
word of reply.
Surely papa does not think Of mar
rying that horrid girl" Grace ex
claimed. as she watched her father and
Miriam talking together in a contiden-
tial and affectionate manner.
Il shouldn't think he'd have the
chance returned Sir Victor; she's an
uncOmmonly nice girl"
"Oh, yes, / know you think there is
nobody like her." sneered Grace.
AT any rate, l didn't invite her
here" retorted the young man, angrily.
well, no; you couldn't very we'll. as
1t is my fathers house." she replied:
but l wonder, since you admire her so
much, you don't marry her"
II am like your father in that re-
spect-I haven't the chance" he said,
coldly.
Then he crossed the room and join
ed the couple of whom they had been
talking.
Grace was very angry, but she did
not follow him, and soon after this
the first gong sounded-a hint that ii
was time to dress for dinner.
Miriam Hindman, instead of going
up stairs like the other girls, saun.
tered into little study she knew of
where bright fire burned in the pol
ished CRATE, and the lamp was turned
low.
Despite her assumption of cheerful
ness and high spirits, her heart was
sad and heavy.
Sir Victor Gayherd had been the one
love Of her life, and, though they had
parted in pique and anger more than
a year ago, and just before her father
had lost the greater part of his for
tune, she had always expected hel
truant lover to return to her.
But this hope had died out now. fol
he was pledged to become the husband
of another before twenty-four hours
had passed.
She had seated herself on a hassocl
before the fire, her hands claSping hel
head, and her elbows resting on hel
knees, and she was thinking sorrow
fully of the man whom she still loved
so well.
"He will have very miserable life,
she unused, particularly so if Grace
does not get the large fortune she an
ticipates, and he will, no doubt, Otter
think of me and wish he had no
taken me at my word when l tolC
him to go and find richer wife. All
me! people think me bright and witty
the men admire me, and the girls env!
me, and yet l am the most misera bl,
woman in this house to-night--yes
quite the most miserable"
Her meditatons were here inter
rupted by an arm being clasped roun,
her waist and by some member of tn,
opposite sex very energetically kisSin:
her.
She looked up, struggled to her feet
and. recognizing her companion, sh
exclaimed, passionately
Victor, how dare you insult m
like this?'
II only kissed you under the mistle
toe" he pleaded, with mock humility
holding up a spray of the white-ber
ried plant.
Under the mistlctOe" she eXclaim
ed, with increasing anger. Il wonde
you are not ashamed to look me in tn
face. | wonder you dare to come int
room where | am alone"
We'll, it is risky thing to do" h
replied recklessly; but l wanted I
speak 10 you. and l may not have an
other chance"
THAT is highly probable. VIVA
have you TO say?'
Il want To know why you cam