Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-02-11
CHAPTER XIV

ed to her that it would be better to talk
to Molly before doing anything else, and
that perhaps Molly's own anxiety to
clear herself from double-dealing might
simplify the matter. So she said very
gravely that she would postpone further
conversation till the morrow. "And
them" queried Harrington, will you
meet me here:" She hesitated and her
lip quivered. It seemed to her almost
as if she partook of Molly's unworthiness,
as If she would be deceiving Alan Mon
crieff by consenting to meet John Han
nington in private. But there was no
other way out of the difficulty. And so,
very reluctantly, she consented to meet
him next day at five o'clock in the after
noon.
Molly proved incxorable She would
not acQuaint her father with the fact that
she had lover, and thus Stella was
obliged to keep her appointment with
John Harrington.
She had some difficulty in making her
way to Tomgarrow Mt the appointed time;
but, fortunately, the visitors who arrived
inopportunely ut four o'clock did not stay
very long, and she reached her rendezvous
at quarter past five. She found Mr..
Harrington looking remarkably patient
and at ease; he was leaning against the
wall smoking cigar.
Stella's eyes glowed, but she said
quietly:
II hope you have made up your mind
to go to Mr.. Moncrieff yourself, Mr.. Han
nington."
mo, indeed, have not. It is the last
thing l intend to do at present" said
Harrington. "My dear Mrs. Moncrieff,
you are making much ado about nothing.
I have not the least desire to destroy your
domestic happiness, and you know it
would be destroyed once and for all il
l showed your husband those little docu.
ments, unless you had previously con-
fessed their existence, which it seems you
have not done! But If you cross my path
I must take measures to protect myself.
Let us compromise the matter a little.
If, at the end of week have not spoken
to Mr.. Moncrieff and formally proposed
for Molly's hand, then tell him what you
choose. Grant me weeks respite, and
I'll reserve the fetters-perhaps / will
even burn them: but give me a week."
"A wedk-why a week." said Stella,
hesitatingly.
affairs; all that sort of thing. Just one
weck-and then the whole thing shall be
cleared ip."
"Will you promise not to see Mollie dur
ing that time:"
Harrington reflected. "Well," he said,
with some reluctance, II will promise if
you desire it. Yes, Mrs. Moncrieff,
promise"
Stella sighed. II don't know" she said,
whether l ought to yield this point; but
if you will promise not to see her again.
nor write, and at the end of the week to
speak to Mr.. Moncrieff, will keep silence
until then-but only until then.'
Il will not see her again. l will not
write, unless my letters go through the
authorities hands. l will let Mr.. Mon
Grief know everything by the end of the
week. Isn't that enough?" said Han
nington, laughing rather oddly. what
a diplomatist you would make. Stella!
Come. you need not be offended" he con-
tinued, as he saw her color and frown,
"You gave me permission to call you
Stella once, you know"
Was it by design that he said those
words so clearly? 1t was at that very
moment that Stella saw two gentlemen
approaching her; they had turned the
corner of the wall just as John Hanning-
ton spoke: it would be a miracle if they
had not heard what he said. Stella's face
flushed crimson, and then became white
with dismay; for the newcomers were
no other than Ralph Kingscott and her
husband, Alan Moncrieff. She was
speeches. with amazement; she felt that
she looked like culprit, and that naughty
astonishment was written on every line
of her husbands handsome face.
Ito be continued.)