The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-05-20

L<~~ the present ulnlcult
ErfTrSYSStTTnIS situation, and now
IIMWNNVNlAS that he had the op-
p%ortunity of dealing
with Dick and Camilla separately, he
was no longer doubtful OF the result.
His last anxiety vanished with the
naughty figure now disappearing be-
meath the companion-hatch.
He linked his arm in Dicks with a
friendly smile. and began to walk him
slowly up and down the deck in silence.
MY friend" he said presently. my
sister-in-law and you misunderstood
each other; you are both young, m
youth is so intolerant of difference. I
am older, and understand you both. /
am less ~prejudiced. and can sympathize
with each in turn. l am happy to be
here, for l have no doubt" he con-
tinued, that | shall be able to effect
a speedy reconciliation"
But what is the natter" cried Dick.
Il don't understand
Precisely" replied the colonel; nor
does Madame de Montaut. You do not
see why your very natural refusal to
join our little plot should cause any one
surprise or pain. She, on the other
hand. has never thought of the diff
''ha JNHA pcAAb vi y"
She supposed you to have accepted, and
was therefore sharply disappointed at
finding that we must do without you,
after all"
Yes. yes!' cried Dick: II know all
about the mistake. OF course you all
thought l had accepted when 1 came
TO Russell street that unlucky morning.:
but how could you. how could she,
think me for a capable of do
ing such a thing? That's what hurts
me-"
MY dear Estcourt," answered the coll
onel, with a d~eprecatory smile, you
mustn't be too hard on us. / confess ]
ought to have known better; but l was
hard put to it. AS for Madame de
Montaut, she never understood the
question. l fear the line I took may
have been the cause, for she trusts me
perhaps more implicitly thar she ought
TO do" and the colonel shook his gray
head with a very becoming modesty.
And then you must remember he
continued. that she knew you were
friendly with Lord ~Glamorgan and 9TH
ser members of the opposition who pro-
TESS TO desire nothing so much as the
EmperOrs liberation. | suppose their
speeches are but counsels of perfection.
and not intended to be taken literally.
but that Is n Of the things we in
France can eve understand about you
English. We are the slaves Of logic,
and canno comprehend how a man can
preach gravely what he would think 1t
wrong for himself or any one else to
put into practice"
Dick was vanquished: and indeed he
wished no better fate. He was lost in
a foretaste Of the delightful days to
come. and was only brought to himself
by the sudden recollection that they
would be fewer han he would be al
lowing himself to reckon. He turned
round upon the colonel.
why must you leave us so soon?
he asked abruptly.
The colonel was staggered for a mo-
ment.
80 soon?" he said; so o as
what"
The captain said you were only go
ing as far as Ascension
''Ah. yes!" said the colonel. recover.
ing himself; Ascension. Yes, that's
all"
You cam be meaning to stay on
such a desert island said Dick, a-trem,
BILE with hope. II p we can waiI
while you 10 you business there, am
take you on to the Cape afterward?'
Thank you replied the colonel. Civ.
ing him a meaning look; but we car
not afford to go quite SO far as the
Cape, though | confess to you in con
fidence that we do not intend To staS
longer than we can help az Ascension
Dick reflected. and in "A IN OF
two he had comprehended the meaning
of this remark. About halfway in z
direct line between Ascension and the
Cape lies the Island Of st. Helena; thai
OF course wasthe De Montauts' rea
destination. He understood now why
they had sailed in the Hamilton under
false names. He saw, too, that he mus
abandon all hope OF p~rolonging the tim,
of their companionship with him, 70
the Speedwell could not land the con
spirators at st. Helena without becom
ing I'm some degree their accomplish.
NJ. de Montaut was watching him al
this time. and read his face like al
open DOC
Now then" he said, at last, II an
going down to speak to my sister-in