Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-04-25
CHAPTER NIX.
Faith and FaIneI,OoL.

y
when carriage was driven snartly
up and brought to a stand-still before
ViscOunt Dnrelcigll's mansion.
1t was decided about . o'clock of the
morning when the viscount's drowsy
porter was for the moment aroused
that he might open the door to his
master.
There were Just then some import
ant political matters in agitation and
it was the discussion of those which
had detained Niscount Darelcigh SO
unusually late at his club; whence
his councilman had just conveyed him.
Deeply interested. the viscount had
gone thither very early on the pre-
ccding evening, and there is no doubt
that the members and walters were
under the impression that he had not
once quilted the building until his
final departure for home. which he
had taken care to render n very con-
Spicuous circumstance.
Many q loud good night" had he
uttered and many hand had he
shaken; he threw. too. n few atfable
words to the bowling walters as he
passed them on his way to the car
riage.
The viscount reached his own apart
mcnts in very comfortable state of
mind. He had nothing more 10 fear
from Nicholas Shcarman's indiscre-
ton.
The blow which had been dealt that
dangerous ruffinn had gone home, and
he had not survived ii an instant: the
viscount WAS perfectly convinced of
that.
But even supposing that the fellow
had fingered for awhile. he would
have been unable accurately Ia de-
scribe the viScounts features from
the single glance he had obtained of
them.
And. besides. not any description
which Nicholas might have given.
could he made to apply to Niscount
Darelcigh. for the whole long evening
he had not once been missed from his
club.
SO that. even if an impossiblity had
a second time escaped with his life
from out the clutches of his former
employer. stll had the viScount moth
ing to fear.
But the miserable wretch would
nave ultu MllIout kIlON
by which he had been struck: and the
viscount had no longer anything to
dread from those letters which he had
so dearly purchased
He drew them from the pocket into
which lie had thrust them. and read
them through: and as he read. was
saying to himself that Eugcnia had
not deceived him; those letters might
have been made the means of his de-
struction.
He threw those letters into the fire.
and. smiling blandly. watched them
as they burned.
When he had seen them reduced To
ashes:
"Impunity is now certain was his
mental eXclnInat ton, "and now and
hcnceforth may defy Emmcline
Lindsay and her gallant champion.
Master Noel Darlington, both.
Aud then he retired to rest. and was
soon i'll sound and tranquil slumbcr.
Rather late on the morning at which
we have now arrived Niscount Dare
leigh arose greatly refreshed. and with
Il sense of perfect safety.
Presently Mrs. Chcsterton. whom
for the time he had forgotten. REQUIRED
to his thoughts. and his brow knitted
and he stamped his foot impatiently.
Over his breakfast he communed
with himself concerning her.
Eugenia had revealed to him the
danger. and would demand from him
the fultilment OF the promise which
on the previous day lie had made to
her.
1t was impossible to break the COM
pact which united him to that woman
although disarned. She would be
Still very formidable enemy-while.
OH the contrary. the viscount told him
SELF his repose would be forever as
sured by Theodore's marriage with
Eugenia's daughter.
And 80 the viscount arrived at the
resolution that whatever misery might
be thereby inflicted on Theodore. that
marriage should be accomplished.
ITO Be Continued)