The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-07-16

And the Baronet was more than
eve delighted with his nephew. ana
harshly ~reproached FRANCES, that she
would not render justice to her cous-
ms sentiments.
And to her uncleS upDraiulhgS,
Frances replied that speech might DE
masked as well as the face; n what
could Ii matter to her Uncle, she lh-
CURED, what were her thoughts. since
he well knew that her gratitude ana
respect were laws which compelled
her to obedience of his will, however
harshIy it might please him to exert
il.
And very wretched was she; II IN
the solitude of her w chamber old
herself that her cousin must be very
certain that Sydney was for ever de-
stroyed, since he had said so con-
tentedly TO her that he would not
hurry her TO a consent, but was Will
ing to wait.
Left with the baronet, Stanley Clare
mont proceeded, without a moments
delay, to make the most OF Il FORUM
ate opportunity.
Frances has never evinced much
partiality for me-" he began, looking
very melancholy, and sighin: heavily;
but, uncle since you have spoken to
her Of our marriage, it is no longer
mere coldness-it is now determined
hatred that she displays towards mel"
No, Stanley" said the baronet,
''she does not hate you, but she loves
another"
The baronet had well observed his
niece; her eulogiums, her warm de-
fence of Sydney, her dropping spirits,
had told him the + state OF her
heart, and had brought an additional
pang to his own-that the union he
hadl planned, and to which he now
knew there would have been such
joyful acquieScence, the guilt Of his
new-found son had rendered for ever
impossible.
Stanley expressed no surprise that
his uncle had learned that which
he himself had long known, but simp-
ly expressed his wonder that, i'll his
cousins case, love should have sur
vived esteem.
''She does not believe that she
possesses the right to despiSe him
she defends him. said the baronet.
And who eau say that her con-
viction may not II day be your
OWN" cried Stanley.
There was anger in the look which,
at that superstition. the baronet threw
towards his nephew.
But, undaunted by it, Stanley pur-
sued: Your most secret desire, uncle,
is, | know. that your determination
should be in harmony with my cous-
ms wishes"
ga, 4 DllI,, ,u,z cttnnt
Uncle" continued Stanley, Il pur-
sued cOurageously the task which, be-
gun by James ~Frampton, was inter
rupted by his death; upon the very
vaguest indications traced out him
whom you were seeking, and | knew
the claims he had TO your affection"
That avowal, as will net be doubted,
caused great establishment to the
Baronet.
Appearing not to have observed his
uncle's surprise, Stanley went on
Are, then. my fears unreasonable?
You have n horror of the fault, but
pity may plead TO you in favor of
him who has committed it. Frances
defends him, and the culprit is your
son"
The fears which Stanley had eX-
pressed were, if, indeed, sincere, en-
tirely without foundation; for precise
ly because he was his son, the whole
world would vainly defend Sydney
with the Baronet.
The honor of any other would have
been as nothing TO him, while that
of his W son was everything.
And Sir Loghlen had been indeed
infiexible in his rigour.
That appointment which Sydney
had last solicited-that situation
which the unhappy young man had
needed perhaps for his very existence
had been refused to him only be-
cause Sir Loghlen. who happened to
he one Of the directors of the com
pany, had said to his colleagues. DO
not appoint Sydney Drummond."
UO be cOntinued.)