The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-07-04

ana yacantly, ana she saw the looks
of love that passed between them.
Grace knew quite we'll that Victor
would never have thought of marrying
her II he had not believed her 10 be
her fathers only surviving child and
| sole heiress. and now she wondered If
Miriam had persuaded him that Kate
| was really alive, and if at the last
hour he meant to desert her for his
| old love-
And then again she wondered did
Miriam really know anything about
the missing girl, or was she only Civ
ing expression to an unreasoning con
viction when she asserted her belief
| that Kate was still alive.
She knew not what to do or which
way to turn.
For one wild moment she thought of
going back to the tower chamber and
1ingng herself into the same dun
geon she had intended to be her sis
ter'S grave.
But this impulse could hardly be
called temptation, for she loved her
own life too well TO throw ii away
reckleSsly. even when ii seemed To be
most worthless, and when TO all APP
pearances she had nothing To look for
ward to but exposure, disgrace and
punishment.
When her mind became more accus-
med to the situation she began to
ink that she was frightening herself
necessarily. for now she remem-
bered that the bottom of the shaft into
which Kate had fallen seemed as
though it We're only portion of a
room or cellar which was probably as
large as the chamber above.
If this was the case the injured girl
might have crawled away into some
dark corner and there remained until
death had mercifully ended her suf
ferings.
Il wish l had possessed the courage
and presence of mind to descend by
those iron steps and see for myself
what is hidden below, and where the
place really leads.
There may be many secret cham
bers beneath the old part of the cas-
tie, of which neither my father nor |
had ever heard. ! must do it sooner
or later; | shall never sleep in peace
again until | know that Kate is past
troubling me-"
And all this time the fun never
] tagged.
[ The band played and the guests
| danced and tiirted and talked about
the morrow. and whispered among
| themselves of the great good luck of
| Sir Victor Gayherd at having won so
| rich an heiress.
Some comments. the reverse of char
| table, were made upon the young
| baronet's behavior this evening. but
as always happens in such cases, it
was the girl. and not the man, who
came in for all the blame; and prudent
mothers and daughters secretly de-
| ternined that they would take good
| care not to invite Miriam Hindman To
| their houses, since she showed so lit
! tie consideration for the feelings of
| her hostess.
| One otficious old lady ventured 10
| give the girl hint about her beha-
vior. liberty which Miriam resented
angrily, though il had the effect of
making her tell Sir Victor that he had
better ask Grace to dance with him;
then she herself went to talk to the
| baron.
But Lord Lilburne was not good
company this evening.
His daughter was constantly in his
mind. and every now and again he felt
as though if he looked around he
should see her.
| Miriam was quick to observe his
manner. and to divine the cause, and
| she ut length said:
1T was about this hour last year.
was it not. that Kate was lost
| Very nearly" he replied, his eyes
| wandering to the clock.
| Then he and the girl both sat silent
waiting for they knew not what; but
| with their eyes fixed upon the clock
| as though they had been watching
| the old year out. and were anxious to
| welcome the new
| Grace and Sir Victor had been dane
| ing. but the band had stopped sud
| denly. and the baronet, with his prom
| ised bride, had paused very close TO
where her father and Miriam were
seated.
| What do they mean by breaking off
| like this?" asked Grace in a tone of
| annoyance.
| Her question was never answered.
| At that moment the house steward
| who rarely showed himself except TO
| announce distinguished guests. now
came to the open doorway and an
nounced:
| Lord and Lady Roland Ayre"'
Lord Lilburne sprang 10 his feet and
| started forward with cry of welcome
and Grace likewise took a step toward
the new Corners.
| But no sound escaped her lips
| For moment she Swayed like sap
| ling shaken by a tempest, then she
| fell forward on her face. and when
they picked her up they thought that
| she was dead.
CHAPTER VII.