The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-06-13
.R N-ICnnlinneh.l
CHAPTER

when on one occasion she was rem
dered sufficiently irritable and uncom-
Portable to make her ask sharply what
made him do SD. he replied. with n
bow: MY profound admiration"
But his admiration did not lead him
to transgress in like manner again,
and soon after this he ceased to call
at Silverton Castle.
Sir Victor came pretty frequently,
however. lie was handsome. light
hearted and uncC mfortably poor. and
ii was above all thirgs necessary that
he should find rich wife.
He made no secret of his position,
but treated all the accidents that be-
fell him in life in happy go-lucky
fashion. taking nothing very seriously
or much to heart.
Personally he was very like his
cousin, Lord Roland. and in other re-
spects was far too good for treacher
Gus Grace Lilburne
For Il time Grace kept him from
proposing, hoping that Lord Roland
would tire of his fruitless search and
would return to her, for she felt that
he knew she loved him.
But Lord Roland never came nor
showed the least sign of coming, no
news of him reached the castle, and
Grace philosophiCally came TO the con-
clusion that she might as well take
What she could get, since she could
not obtain what she wanted.
So one day Sir Victor Gayherd pro-
posed and was accepted. and Grace
sent him off to her father to obtain
his consent.
She was very anxious 10 get married
nd 70. At L.,
for time for her crime was daily be-
ginning to haunt her, and the fear
grew upon her that in some unguard-
ed moment she would betray herself.
More than once she had been found
walking In her sleep on her way to
the disused tower. and though she
had been met before she could get
there, and had been led or carried
back to her room. the shock 10 her syS-
tenn caused by the sudden awakening
had been intensified by her terror lest
she should have revealed her terrible
secret.
So far she was safe. however and
If she could get away for a time and
forget her crime she thought that all
would be well.
When Sir Victor returned. however,
the expression q his countenance
quickly told her of the nOn-success of
his mission.
II don't think your governor is quite
right" the young man remarked as he
took seat by her side; he seems n
little bit touched" and he tapped his
own forehead significantly.
why, what did he say" asked
Grace, breathlessly.
"He said good many things. He
seems to believe that your sister is
alive. though he has not seen her nor
heard from her. and he says that until
he has received proof of her death be-
yond all doubt he will only give you
the portion you would have had be-
fore she was lost"
THAT is provoking. but it won't mat
ter in the long rum" returned Grace,
heartleSsly; "he can't live forever, and
then all he has must be mine
Unless your sister is alive" replied
Sir Victor, slowly.
''Oh, she's dead, safe enough" was
the callous reply; you needn't trouble
about her"
You speak as though you had seen
her die" he exclaimed. with sudden
suspicion.
We'll. | didn't see her die" she re-
torted defiantly, as she contracted her
browS and clenched her teeth, but
haven't the least doubt she is dead
If she were not, do you think she
would stay away from everything that
can make life enjoyable? No. she is
dead enough, and Silverton must one
day be mine. But what else did papa
say: He did not refuse his consent
to our marriage, did he:"
mo; but he refuses to allow it to
take place until after next Christmas
day. and now it is June. Imagine our
having six months To watt
Yes. and | hate Christmas" ex-
claimed Grace, paSsionately. I'VE will
not wait Victor. If papa will not give
his consent we will be married with
out It,"
Sir Victor Gayherd shrugged his
shoulders and made rueful face be-
fore he replied:
Il admire your courage, Grace. and
should applaud it We're it, not for the
pitiable condition of my own finances.
but your father has forSeen the posi-
bility of our dispensing with his per
mission, and he has told NE that if
we marry without it he will not give
us one siXpence while he lives.
IF my estates were not mortga ged
for almost their value, or if you had
q fortune from your mother. as your
sister had, we might afford to do as
we please, but now it is impossible"
Grace threw herself upon n couch.
and wept, and declared that he didn't
love her. and she Sobbed and cried.
and altogether made herself exceed
ingly ridiculous: but Sir Victor was
not sufficiently infatuated to be i'm
prudent, and as her father happened
to come in just as this scene was mt
Its height, Miss Grace was ordered To