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

CHATTER ALI.
! Molly. who did not see Stella at once
| not. indeed, until Hannington's sudden
change of expression showed her that
there was something wrong-turned
sharply round and uttered cry of posi-
! tive rage.
There! l told you so" she exclaimed.
She is always spying after me--watch-
| ing me-prying into all my affairs! And
now she has followed me here. Oh, what
shall do? Jack, dear Jack, save me
from her! l know that she'll betray u.s."
And the girl hid her face on Mr.. Han
! nlngton's shoulder, and chung to him, rs
| II she feared that Stella would drag her
away by force.
| Don't be afraid, my darlingv said
Harrington. Was it Stella's fancy, or
did his eyes light up with a CLEAN of
positive triumph, his lips curl with a vim
dictive smile? Mrs. Moncrieff is the last
person to do US an injury; you may de-
pend upon that" And he calmly raised
his hat from his head with an assump-
ton of elaborate courtesy which could
scarcely. under the circumstances, have
been genuine.
Stella came forward, her face pale, but
| resolute.
| "Molly." she said, quietly; "you know
very well that wish only for your good.
Come away with me, and you can ex-
plain to me afterward what all this
means. Mr.. Harrington will also, no
doubt, explain to MIR. Moncrieff-if he
| can"
She looked at Harrington with defiance
and mistrust in her eyes, which he could
| not fail to understand
Il shall explain it when necessary"
said he. coolly; 'but shall probably take
my own time for doing so, Mrs. Mon.
crieff.''
My husband will be home tonight. l
shall of course tell him what have seen
and heard"
Molly suddenly burst into tears. Mr..
Harrington caught her hand and drew
her toward him. ''Run away home.
Molly" he said, kissing the girls fore
head lightly, and giving her hand a
squeeze. i want to have little chat
with Mrs. Moncrieff, and think we shall
manage to arrange the matter"
"Aes. Molly, 60 home" said Stella.
| quietly. Il want little conversation
with Mr. Harrington, too"
! Molly E,.rmured :ebelliously; but look
and word from John Harrington sent
her off without delay. She turned and
1 took the path across the ields-it was
the Arrest way home. but also the lenst
frequented
1on need not be afraid for her." said
Harrington. She has an escort at
hand. Some one is waiting for her at the
stle-Bertie''
Stella gave him reproachful look.
"Air. Huntington" she spoke, II did not
think that You would seek out Molly. of
all people in the world. to turn her head
by your attentions, and then--perhaps-
to break her heart"
"As l did yours?" said Harrington.
coolly. "ls that what you mean to imply.
Mrs. Moncrieif?"
MIR. Harrington, am Alan Mon
crieff's wife, and am surprised that Won
should forget it SO far as to insult me-"
Mr.. Harrington laughed again,
| "Come." he said, don't be so hot, Stella
! didn't mean to insult you in the least
l am very glad indeed that you are Mon
crieH's wife, and hope that years of un-
interrupted prosperity lie before you.
Moncrieff il rather a stiff old fellow. isn't
he? little apt to be overpunctilious-
a trifle jealous and suspicious? That
used to be his character, know, when his
first wife was alive"
II wished to speak to you about Miss
Moncrieff. not about my husband, Mr..
Harrington"
"Very we'll Then we will speak about
Miss Moncrieff. will tell you my inten-
tons respecting her. Molly 10 very fond
of me. AL want now is admittance
| to your house, permission to see her now
and then, and your assistance in gradual
| ~ inducing Mr.. Moncrief to consent to
the marriage. That is ALL
"And do you think that Mr.. Moncrielf
will ever consent to it when he knows
that you have persuaded his daughter to
meet you here in a clandestine way, and
have made love to her already without
his permission!"
mo, / DON'T" was the frank reply.
| anything about it, don't you see? Nobody
will tell him, if you don't
But must! shall"'
| ".lnst SO. And if you do. nre you under
/ IL. Impression that lssini not defend
! myself! There would he nothing at all
remarkable in Moncreff's eyes in your
opposition to the marriage If limited to
him that you had had previous attach
ment, and that no woman likes to see her.
self supplanted-and so on-he would be
ready enough to believe that you found
it impossible to be magnanimous-no
doubt-and it would be a pleasant little
piece Of news to hear, perhaps, that his
wife had once written very pretty and
], afectiOnate love letters before her mar
riage to another manv'
! You would not tell him thatr' she