The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-09-24
CHAPTER III.-(Continued1


fore him. The landlady, who had linger-
ed over Ter supper in the snug little par
lor behind the bar, whiting up to hear
the latest news of the fire, came bustlinp
but to see if she could be of any use to
his lordship.
She almost shrieked at the sight of the
ehild, looking round with frightened
cyes; such poor little pinched, sallow
countcnance, so wizened, so unchildlike.
The mistress of the George thought she
had never seen an uglier brat
oh, my lord. where did you pick her
up? Is she one of the children from
Goodwin
"She is Boldwood's child, and his lord
ship risked his life to save her." answered
Spillington.
4 DO you think you could lend me n
shawl to wrap up this little one. Mrs
Sycamour? asked Lashmar, "and do Won
think you could get me pair of horses to
4 take us back to Lashmar? Her LADY,
ship will be anxious till she sees lis nil
j safe ut home.'
Certainly, my lord" and Mrs. Syca-
mour rang bell Tell Joe to get the
landau and the grays ready directly.
And, Mary, run and fetch one of nv
shawls. The warm-knitted one in the
bottom drawer, you know, child. Don't
stand staring like simpleton.'
"Daddy!' cried the little girl piteously.
and the great dark eyes began to fill
with tears. where's daddy? l want
my daddy"
Lashmar looked at her helplessly.
h What could he say to soothe or console,
what could he say of a comforting ma
ture that should not be deliberate lie?
The little ones breast began to heaye
with sobs.
"Dahdy'' she cried, where's daddy?
Was he burnt in the tire-was he hurt?
Let me so to daddy?'
by and by," murmured Lashmar, fee
bly,; by and by, dear child. Will YOU
a give her . little milk and biscuit, Mrs.
q Sycamour? The poor little thing may
1 be hungry"
But when the motherly soul attempted
to take the child in her arms the little
one scowled and clung tighter to Lash
mar.
Take me to daddy" she pleaded.
lpon my soul, Lord Lashmar, this is
too much of Il good thing" cried Spilling-
ton. You had better let our good friend
mere take charge of the brat for tonight
and ilald her over to the proper author-
tlcs tomorrow. l never saw such Il COB
lin. Why, she's as black as Erebus"
Its the gypsy blood, sir. Everybody
says that Boldwood's wife was gypsy
is that carriage ready?' asked Lash
mar.
1T w.is past 1 o'clock when the grays
from the George trotted along the ave-
nue. that led to Lashmar Castle. The
river was cleaning in the starlight mys-
terious, beautiful between it's rushy
banks, it's leaning willows; and the case
ment of the castle cleaned also, with
an earthlier radiance, and the low Gothic
doors stood open under the massive
stone porch, revealing the lighted hail
within. Lady Lashmar and Victorian
came out of the white parlor as the car
riage stopped.
My dear Colonel, thought you were
never coming back!' she said. "How
dreadfully you must want your supper"
and then, starting at sight of Lashmars
burden-the little figure mutf1ed in a red,
feecy shawl-she exclaimed: "Why,
Lashmar. what in heavens name have
you thcre!"
"A child, madam; an imp of darkness;
the spawn of demagogue-Boldwood
child, rescued from the flames by this
young hero of yours. Lady Lashmar,
YOU haze reason to be proud Of your son,
said the Colonel, collecting his senses with
an effort for he had been in the middle
OF his first and soundest sleep when the
carriage pulled up.
You rescued Boldwood's child!' cried
her lalyship, looking at Lashmar's
smoke-grimed face, and from his face
downward to his neither garments, which
were torn and frayed at the knees, one
knee rent across and showing blood stains
on the light summer cloth. But how"
BY climbing to the top of a four-story
building-one of the most heroic acts l
ever saw anywhere, except before the
walls Of Il hill fort,' answered the Col
oncl Its Il wonder I've brought him
back to YOU alive, Lady Lashmar."
''The Lashmars were always brave!'
she said grnvely; and then, with a GER
tain formality which chilled the Colonel's
soul, she kissed her stepson on the fore
head.
You have no right to risk your life for
demagogue's brat" she said. "Why |
could not Mr.. Boldwood rescue his child
himself?'
He did his uttermost, poor beggar, and
was killed in the attempt" said the Col
onel
''Boldwood killedY'
''Yes; he will trouble us no more, moth
er. He is gone, and this is his orphan
daughter
But why in mercy name did you bring
her here? Why not at once hand her
over to the proper people?"
This child will not go to the Union
While l live answered Lashmar, with
quiet determination. "Are any of the
women up, Longly?"
Only her iadysnip,s maids, my lord.
Her ladyship had two personal attend
ants. She required very little service
from them, for she was woman OF actiVe
habits and by no means self-indulgent.
But this dual service was an appendase
of her state; i was her pride, not hcr
iuXuriousness, which demanded to be
waited upon.
"Wil YOU allow me to ask fnv0r Of
Sarber2' asked Lord L.ashmar.