The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-05-14

his own disposal. the baronet entreat-
ed that the young gentleman would
for that period become his guest.
Sydney resisted the invitation; but
very fePbly, in spite of all his reason
ingS with himself as To the heavy pen
atty which he would have to pay for Il
prolonged acquaintance with Frances
O'Meara.
Frances herself had joined her en-
treaties To those of her uncle, and
had said thar. if sydney would remain
with them for a fortnight or less. for
which his company had been solicited
by her uncle. that then he would have
the companionship Of Sir L.Oghlen and
his nephew back to London.
Sydney would have been cry hap
py, but, really. could not remain be-
You'd n day or two.
"FTnnccS.' questioned the baronet.
abruptly. have you the 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
Ioghlen; only, as you just now said
nothing of yourself when speaking to
Mr.. DrummOnd of u 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,
n worse tina ever.
He had considered" he said: land,
on reflection. yes-certainly-he ac-
cepted. and gladly, Sir LOghlen's gen
crous invitation. II would. for the
time already specified, become that
gentleman'S guest"
With difficulty was stanley Clare
mont able to conceal his veyatiOn.
which could find ven only in Il Sneer.
You should o detain Mr.. Drum
mOnd from his business. uncle" Stan
ley said: "~recollect he is a bankers
clerk. and has, perhaps, eyacting EN-
%ployerS; and. no doubt, Mr.. Drum
mond would find it announcement 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 imploring look.
You have made Il very offensive
observation. Stanley" said the baron
ct; although | hope. and, indeed be-
ieve. without intending it,"
If. indeed, there was any impropri-
ETY. in the remark which =
Enough" ~interposed Sir L.oghlen:
"and learn TO mend your speech and
manner. neither Of which. of late, has
pleased me-"
IF Mr.. Drummond has taken Of
fense-" again began Stanley.
Silence. sir. | command YOU cred
the baronct. loudly and very ansrily.
ClaTcmont threw a malignant glance
toward sydney. who returned it with
n smile of the deepest contempt.
Sydnc.:'s pOrtmanteau. and the cof-
fer. whose contents he had explained
to Sir LOghlcn, were carried by the
servants TO the bel room which had
beeu assigned TO the new guest. who
himself speedily followed. in order
that he might dress for dinner.
On reaching his bed chamber. sgd
nCy at once placed the box. of which.
indeed. he had TO be very careful. in a
small cupboard. which lie locked. plac-
ing the key with that of the Golfer it.
self. which from the first he had ear
ried within his pocketboOk.
\ singular liking had Sir LOghlen
at once taken to his stranger-gueSt:
appeared. indeed. TO be charmed with
his speech and manner: while sgd
ney'S features seemed almost unac
countably familiar to the barOnet.
Stanley ClaIpmont would. howcv-
or. afford his uncle little opportunity
for private conversation with the
bankers clerk.
Should Sydney be led to speak of
his early days. a chance word would.
perhaps. give that clue which stan
ley was determined. if il We're posi-
bile to prevent ii, his uncle should not
discover.
In what n turmoil Of constant dread
and anxiety was Stanley now kept by
sydney D~rummOnd'S presence so ear
the baronet, and how bitterly he in
weighed against the accident which
had brought his cousin and the hand
some clerk together on board the
D~readnought.
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
ney'S arrival at the baronet's mansion,
that sydney. with n few words of
thanks for the favor, was about to re-
turn Il novel which had been given
him to read by Frances.
AS he was offering the book to the
young lady. Stanley. who, rs usual.
had been lowering near them, quietly,
and with a slight and careless apology.