The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-05-05

for that period become his guest.
Sydney resisted the invitation; but
very feebly, in spite of all his reason
ings with himself as to the heavy pen
atty which he would have to pay for a
prolonged acquaintance with Frances
O'Meara.
Frances herself had joined her en-
treaties to those of her uncle and
had said that, if Sydney would remain
with them for fortnight or less, for
which his company had been solicited
by her uncle, that then he would have
the companionship of Sir Loghlen and
his nephew back to London.
Sydney would have been very hap
py, but, really, could not remain be-
yond a day or two.
Frances questioned the baronet,
abruptly, ''have you then decided on
remaining here while your cousin and
myself are away in London?"
''Now, is that likely, dear uncle?"
cried Frances; ''you know that of my
own free choice alone, / would never
quit your side a single hour"
"That is well, darling!' said Sir
Loghlen; ''only, as you just now said
nothing of yourself when speaking to
Mr. Drummond of our proposed jour-
ney to London"
did | not?" hastily and confusedly
interrupted Frances. Il really thought
-" And, proceeding no further,
threw her arms around her uncle, and
nestled to his breast; not entirely
urged thereto we fear, by her affec-
ton for the baronet, but partly, as we
suspect with the hope to conceal from
Sydney and her cousin her now pain
fully-glowing cheeks.
And Sydney was stammering again,
and worse than ever.
HE had considered he said; "and,
on reflection, yes certainly-he &C
cepted, and gladly, Sir Loghlen's gen
erous invitation, and would, for the
time already specified, become that
gentleman'S guest
With difficulty was Stanley Clare
mont able to conceal his yeXatlon,
which could find vent only in a sheer.
''You should not detain Mr.. Drum
mond from his business, uncle" Stan
lev said: ''recollect he is a bankers
clerk, and has, perhaps, eXacting en-
plovers: and, no doubt. Mr.. Drum
mond would find it inconvenient to be
suddenly deprived of his situation"
Sydney turned sharply toward the
speaker, and encountered Frances
O'Meara's eyes, which were fixed on
himself with an inploring look
You have made a very offensive
observation, Stanley" said the baron
ct; although 1 hope, and. indeed be-
neve, without intending il"
eff, indeed, there was any improprl-
ETY. in the remark which L"
Enough" interposed Sir Loghlen;
''and learn to mend your speech and
manner, neither of which, of late, has
pleased me-"
eff Mr.. Drummond has taken of
Tense again began Stanley.
s.Silence. sir, l command your cried
the baronet, loudly and very angrlly.
Claremont threw malignant glance
toward Sydney, who returned it with
a smile of the deepest contempt.
Sydney's portmanteau. and the cot
fer. whose contents he had explained
to Sir Loghlen, were carried by the
servants to the bed room which had
been assigned to the new guest, who
himself speedily followed, in order
that he might dress for dinner.
On reaching his bed chamber, Sgd
ney at once placed the box, of which.
indeed. he had to be very careful, IL a
small cupboard. which he locked. plac-
inc the KEY with that of the Golfer It.
self. which from the first he had car
ried within his pocketbook.
A singular liking had Sir Loghlen
at once taken to his stranger-guest;
appeared. indeed, to be charmed with
his speech and manner; while sgd
news features seemed almost unac-
countabIy familiar to the baronet.
Stanley Claremont would, howev-
or. afford his uncle little opportunity
for private conversation With the
bankers clerk.
should Sydney be led to speak of
his early Gays, a chance word would,
perhaps. give that clue which Stan
lev was determined, if it We're posi-
BILE to prevent it, his uncle should not
discover.
In what a turmoil of constant dread
and anxiety was Stanley now kept by
sydney Drummond's presence so near
tbe baronet, and how bitterly he In
Weighed against the accident which
had brought his cousin and the hand
some clerk together on board the
Dreadnought.
And those two were now falling
deeper and deeper in love with each
other every succeeding hour.
1t was on the third day after sgd
news arrival at the baronets mansion,
that Sydney, with a few words OF
thanks for the favor. was about to re-
turn a novel which had been given
him to read by Frances.
AS he was offering the book to the
young lady. Stanley. who, as usual,
had been lowering near them, quietly,
and with a slight and careless apology.
took the book from Sydney's hand;
Then, having glanced at its title
page. "Oh, l know this book. SAID