The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-05-30
CHAPTER III.
Love and Treach cry.

Lcrd Roland has been growing deS-
perate during the last half hour.
He has not danced since Kate left
him and he has not spoken to any
body since he has managed to get
away from Grace; but he has watch
ed Kate anXiously. and more than once
he has gone some little distance along
or across the room 10 speak to her,
but has failed to reach her side be-
fore she has been carried off for an
other dance.
Sir Algernon Colebrook seemed to be
as much on the watch to attach him.
self TO the fair heireSs as he was hini-
self, and Lord Roland felt that he had
no time to lose in securing the prize
that so many We're evidently anxious
to make their own.
Fortune favored him at last.
Kate, with her last partner paused
near the door just as the music ceas-
ed.
"Will you oblige me by asking Miss
Walmar to take some refreShment.'
said Kate to her partner. while she III
dicated a very grim old maid sitting
alone OH an ottoman.
The young man obeyed, though he
and Lord Roland. seized the oppOrt l.
nifty TO offer Kate his arm as he said:
Let us find a cooler place than this;
you must be quite tired of dancing"
cob. no, | am not tired" she .eplied
lightly, though we will look for a
cooler place if you like; but how the
wind is bowling, and l really believe 1T
Is beginning to snow"
at is" he replied. pressing her arm
to his side as he felt she gave a little
SILVER. but the snow is falling slowly
and | dare say it will last long time;
fortunately you have not to go out to-
night
Nor you either" she replied with
smile. II heard papa say that you
would remain with us over to-mor-
row."
He made no reply but made the way
to a small drawing room which the
sisters used more than any one in the
house
Y was deserted now though a bright
fire burned in the CRATE end Lord Ro-
land led the timid girl into the apart
ment then paused, and looking earnest
ly into her deep dark eyes, he exciaim-
ed passionately:
Kate I love you. Look at me. dear
est tell me. will you be my wife,
She did look at him.
The love written on his face was too
earnest. too overpowering to be mis-
taken. or to admit Of any coquetry on
her part; and she now answered as
simply rs any village maiden would
have done:
"Yes. Roland
There was bough Of mistletoe
hanging above them, but they did not
need this as an excuse for the long
kiss of love which their lips first met;
and Roland had led Kate close to the
fireplace. and they were both watch
Ing the logs burning brightly upon the
hearth, and he was telling her how
dearly and truly he loved her. while
his arm claSped her graceful form,
and her head rested trustfully upon
his shoulder. when the door of the
room was softly and noiselessly
opened.
So absorbed were they in their own
happiness that they did not observe
it, neither did they see the child-llke
countenance of Grace, with murder
Gus light in her blue eyes, looking at
them.
She went away. however. without
making her presence known.
But as she left the room in which
her sister and Lord Roland were talk
ing of their love, her heart seemed to
take fire. and her brain became active
for evil as that Of a fiend.
All the pent-up malignity in her
nature now asserted itself. and she
was ready to commit any crime so
that she might crafty her hatred and
win for herself some Of the great adj
yantages now possessed by her rival.
Love misplaced and affection slight
ed. are sometimes pleaded as excuses
for deeds of passionate revenge; but,
though the plea Is a bad one, Grace
Grace Lilburne could not shield her
self behind even that fiimsy pretext.
1t is truethat she coveted the adj
miration and devotion of Lord Roland
Ayre: but this was rather because
IL was given to Kate than because she
set any great store upon 1t for itself.
Indeed. she was incapable Of the
strong. passionate. self-denying dcyo-
ton that is quality of even the most
selfish love, and thus, though she
would gladly enough have committed
any crime to win her sisters lover
she would very readily accept sub
stitutc IL she failed.
Therefore. ii was not solely on &C.
count Of Lord Roland that she Low
gave herself up heart and soul TO work
evil, but envy OF Rates beauty. her
wealth, and even If her virtues made
this wicked creature determine upon
hnr hnI iStn
But how was it to be accomplished?
1t is easy TO wish an enemy dead,
and only little more difficult TO some