The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-08-27

W S1t1Ea 1lOIH IS ibONS SOIle
Knowledge of myself. Then suddenly
I saw a surprised expression on his
face-saw the corners Of his mouth
droop as in half-suppressed scorn: and
from that moment my feelings toward
him were those of dis;rlu5l and dis
like.
He stayed so late that | was the one
to make the first move. For once I was
not sorry to leave Viola. The appear
ance al this man among us. the close
terms Of intimacy upon which it was
clear he stood with Miss Rossiter and
Viola, cast a kind Of gloon upon me.
/ chafed at the thought THAI my happi-
ness was in any way dependent upon
his favor. | grew moody and silent,
and for me the evening was a dull one.
But not for my friends. This Grant
was evidently a brilliant and clever
talker. He narrated. in an amusing
way, his experiences in some out-of-the-
way Alpine village, in which, for some
reason which did not transpire, he
had been staying. Yet at times l fancied
eAii Liz IhCi llllCul WIS lOICSu, anu
again and again l saw his keen eyes
turned on me with a searching glance,
which annoyed me beyond measure.
When at last l rose, he followed my
example, Viola, as was her custom, ac-
c~onlpanied me to the door of the house,
but this evening l noticed, or fancied l
noticed, a certain reluctance and hest
tation in her manner. Eustace Grant
passed on in front of us. He opened the
door and stood on the steps. 1 linger-
ed for a moment to bid Viola q last
goodnight.
Presently Grant turned, as if impa-
tient at my delay. There was a lamp
exactly opposite the house, and the hall
was also illuminated. | could, there
fore, see the mans face distinctly, and
eyes which told me the whole truth.
This Eustace Grant, whoever he was,
loved Viola even as I loved her! All
my Jealous and mistrustful nature
surged to the surface. l grasped Viola's
hand and hastily drew her into a lit
LAX lOOIu ClOSC w.. one lOOkeu
at me in a startled manner
"Viola,' l said, "who is this mani"
dearest, l told you; Eustace Grant,
my guardian!!'
Who is he? What is his profess
sion?"
"Ah! that is a secret as yet. He
will tell you some day; for, Julian, you
will love him like a brother when you
know him."
Never! Listen, Viola. That man
is in love with you!
She made ne answer, and by the
light which passed through the half
opened door I saw a soft expression of
pity and regret upon her sweet face.
you know it," l asked.
She sighed. Il an afraid it is so, or
has been 50. Poor Eustace!"
The information Of the last two words
carried comfort to my heart. 1t told
me that I need fear no rival. I en-
braced Viola, and left her. Grant was
still on the doorstep. He was evident
ly waiting for me. I paused in the
ooe loohllS 4Ol u SdCduL uuuSOm.
d you mind walking a little dis
lance with me, Mr.. Vane:" said Grant.
II have some distance to go. I
would rather drive"
Il will not take you far, but I have
something to say to YOU"
He turned in an authoritive tanner
as though fully expecting I should fol-
low him. l hesitated; then joined him,
n we walked side by side.
There was a frigid silence between
us; but as I glanced at the tall, manly
figure by my side, as now and again BY
the light of the gas lamps I saw that
powerful striking face, the demon of
self-distrust began to rise again. How,
asked myself could it be possible, all
things being equal, for a m to
choose me in preference to this man?
And thanks to my c~oncealing my name
n true position, the chances appar-
emily were that Grant had as much to
offer the woman as I had.
BY and by my companion stopped and
opened the door of a house with a
latch-key. He invited me to enter, and
showed me into a room on the ground
floor. Once inside his own house, his
manner changed. He was now a host,
n | was a guest. He apologized for
the state of confusion which reigned in
the room. He had only returned to
his lodgings yesterday, and had not
vQt ONt fhinoS cfroirh+ TL> oS~..