The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1896-03-20
CHAPTER AII-G Continued

reHFtlnh Der as | used tp send my letter.,
TO somewheer in Kansas hats what
/ think the place was called; but then.
Dick did say as he had to ride some
fifty mile or more to get them.
You mean the Rocky mountains, |
suppose Herbert suggested,
sure" the farmer answered; but if
you be SO good my lord. as to look at
This ere scTap-it's The last letter |
iyer got fram Dick an perhaps itli
bring To your mind. If it be SO that
you've forgotten hiu-though it do
seem strange and no mistake"
He produced from Il worn Russia
leather pocket-bo Il faded sheet Of
paper. the folded edges aud creasps of
which had become RAGGED by wear.
Herbert had to eXerc 81 care not to
tear il while unfolding 1t.
Dear Fred, ii ran. ''lrck'S mine at
hast, and yours, too. through that.
nave found gold, bushels and bushels
Of gold The only iii uly is to get
it safely. | have written to young Mr.
Herbert Chauncey. who is hunting
about 4pD miles from here, ard ex
pect him here within the next TWO Dr
three days Give my love to Susan
and the chicks, and tell them tha
Don't speak about this TO anybGdy till
you hear from mp aeain. as 1t might
be dangerous if it got to be- known be-
fore the proper time. If you do see
any of the young ladies 1T the Towers.
tIl rhem that their brother Herbert
was hale and hearty when last | heard
from him. and if things turn out as
am sure they will. You will see rs b"th
In the old country hefor, c1ristnas
comes round. I'm afraid that this VII
miss this months mail | WAS going
to send it by a neiyhb Of msna, NJ.
George Madame"
The young man thought Il : heart
was about to stop rs that naM stared
him in the face. He Recovered III 4
moment, however, and went on Is II
nothin. had excited him.
but | was afraid To TRUST him. and
! have to send this by m lnA.an mes
senrer, who, as likely as net will get
drunk ut every station before lr gets
70 Fort Bent. Goed-by, ,lelr Fred anl
tiod bless you AGrr affeetiaraie
brother. Dick Ashland
He had read the letter aloud. AMI
his clear melodious voice reached
every corner Of the room While thus
engaged he had not noticed that Lucy
had entered But as he looked up he
saw her, pale as death, leaning against
the wall for support, with eyes nearly
starting from their SCck.ts. The re
semhlance Of the living man to his
dead brother had frightened the girl
out of her wits. and Herbert not guess
ing the cause Of her illness. rushed to
her side and placed her half fainring
on the sofa. sip Of water refreshed
her, and the cheeks that had been
white in anguish became flushed with
feyerish dread Every word Of that
letter had cut deep into Lucy's heart
and the mention Of her fathers name
had been like deadly stab
Il reckon I'll go to my own room. II
yew don't mind. Herbert Lucy Nhis
pcrea when she had regained her for
titudc. Il don't feel at all we'll.
Young Cleve loaded her with kindly
attentions and rang for tie maid who
escorted the girl to her room.
He had not breathed a syllable to
Lucy about his feelings concerning
that letter.
Il am sorry, Mr. Ashland" he said
that l have not tho slightest memory
about your brother. | suppose you
have heard Of my misfortune, and that
will be my explanation to you. But
would be obliged If you " uid leave
this letter in my hands. SO that | may
make further inquiries on the subject
George Maclane. Dick Ashland 5
neighbor." he mnttered tn himself
when the yeoman was gone. And
Dick Ashland had never again been
heard of. and | am here with four des-
pcrate wounds on my head
He arose and walked up and down
the room in slow, measured tramp.
and Lucy he continued in Il trem-
ulous saf-communion. has had a des-
peate quarrel with her Gather and her
cousin and will not go near them. and
will have nothing to do with them.
And Lucy is good. true, honest girl
"a kindly, noble girl-who would not
leave her father without ample rea-
son"
The tramp up and down became
faster and dark shadow settled on
the young mans brow.
Il can see it all" he continued.
Lucy knows something of this and
her father and cousin are in it, only
she is too true to them even now, and
will say nothing against them. If
there's treachery in it she'll never de-
nounce them. And she's right. Of
course. Right and good as she always
is. She can't be expected to be ex-
pected to be witness against her own
father. IL ever the word brute was
written in a mans face 1t Is In George
Naclane's. Dick Ashlandv' he NUT
tered. .Dick Ashland! Dick Ashlandv
The muscles OF his handsome face
contracted as II in pain.
"Godv' he exclaimed, 1T Is hard
Why can't I remember? " by can't
remember?'
Then. on q sudden. he checked him
self, and q look Of stern determinati tiOn