The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-03-25

vainly beating against the constra!n!
OF this hateful necessity. like a bird buff
fesing itself to death against the bars
of a trap.
She was reused by the cracking Of
paper beneath her hand, and looking
down found that she had been clench-
ing a letter in her unconscious grasp.
A start Of surprise followed as she rec
ognized the appearance Of the paper.
1t was Dicks application to the adj
mlralty. The official to whom the col
onel had presented it had glanced at
It's contents n handed it back with an
off-hand statement that it was too late.
another man having been already APP
pointed to the Favorite. The colonel
had accordingly brought it back to
Dick, and in the confusion which fol-
lowed the latter's sudden attack of i'll
ness it had fallen unperceived behind
a cushion of the sofa upon which Ca
miila was now sitting.
Anxious to free herself from the tolls
without a moments delay, she~rose and
went down to look for her brother-in-
law.
She found him in the study. busy
among his papers; he looked up to greet
her with an indulgent smile, as if to
assure her that he felt for her past
struggle. and was ready to receive her
submission graciously.
She saw it, and anger choked the
words in her throat.
Well" he asked, land upon whom
has your choice f~allen?"
h is 40 choice" she answered.;
Il ave no friend capable Of an act Of
treason"
He saw that he had been over-conf-
dent. and was ready on the instant to
meet her with fresh patience.
Treason he said, quietly: lit is no
treason to undo the work Of t~reachery."
What do you nean?"
Tn English nation. or rather their
government, betrayed the emperor's
voluntary trust in them, and, as | have
heard you maintain with truth a hum
dTcd times, faithlessly made a prisoner
OF him after he had accepted their pro-
lection as a guest"
She laughed ~scornfully to see him
using still the methods of an hour ago.
He little suspected how trenchant a
weapon chance had put into her hand
since then.
1T is true" she cried. land their
treackery must be undone; but it can
not be by Capt. EstcOurt's hand"
He raised his eyebrows. Il did not
mention Capt. Estcou.t."
No, but YOU thought Of him, and OF
him only. It is q proof Of how little
you know or understand his character"
He saw the change of her position.
and was yet once more ready for her
upon her own ground.
oh, as for that" he said. men are
all alike in n respect. When they are
in love they are deaf to every other
call; a may lead them where she
will"
Not friends like mine" she an
swered proudly; mot a man like this"'
capt. Estcourt is as honorable a man
as most" he replied, but / undertake
70 say that his devotion to you, coupled
with a clear explanation of the case
from me, would ensure his adherence to
cause"
Never" she cried. Your cunning
fallacies may blind weak ONE or
whose intellect is keener than their
sense of honor, but you could not even
tempt him for a moment"
VIII you wager on it?" asked the
colonel with a mocking smile of
security.
My life is not my own" she cried,
/ would stake my fortune on his
answer"
Done said the colonel; Il accept"
She saw the trap now, but scorned re-
treat.
TRY r. h cried, with passionate
in her voice. TRY it, and learn
with shame hat duty means to a
heart"