Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-01-07

~ In the billiard-room at Esquhart Tow.
ers. and Donald's confession was evident
~ made for the public benefit.
"Her father IL something in jute, I be-
lieve," said the Hon. Don. as his friends
often called him. 'Her name is Stella
star of my existence! Don't look so
black, Harrington. I'm not going to
poach. You should have seen Jack ador-
ing her to-day at Balmerino: it would
teach you lesson"
1--WE don't need lesson" said Lady
Grace. 1--WE all know Mr.. Harrington"
There was perhaps just a little malice in
her tone.
Miss Stella Raeburn II about the pref
test girl ever saw" Donald went on.
"She has got perfect features, golden
hair, blue eyes, rose-leaf complexion,
and--I assure you, on my honor-no
Scottish accent. She has been abroad
for some years that's why She'll have
pot Of money, for. her fathers a regu-
lar millionaire-why, she's said to be the
biggest"
An interruption here occurred. Mr..
Vereker was summoned to the door of
the billiardroom, and asked to speak to
the agent who had just arrived from
Dundee on business. He did not come
back for several minutes; but when he
returned his face was 4 little grave and
pale, and his manner had grown sub
dued.
II have just heard of shocking thing"
ne said, while the company halted in their
game and looked at him in surprise. "You
know that was speaking of that beauti.
full girl whom we met to-day? Well,
this very afternoon-for aught I know,
While We were amusing ourselves in the
ruins at Balmerino-her father, Matthew
Kaeburn, shot himself in his own Office
blew out his brains with revolver, in,
it is supposed, fit Of madness, and was
found there dead when his clerk looked
in at six o'clock this evening. Mcintyre
has just brought the news"
"Oh, that poor girl!' cried Lady Val,
and looked to Harrington for sympathy.
But he did not reply.
CHAPTER v.
John Harrington felt puzzled as to tho
course that he should pursue. Ought he
to call at the house of mourning? Ought
he to write? Should he wait until Stella
made some sign. If he had been deeply
in love with her, these difficulties would
probably have solved themselves. He
would have flown to her side, and tried
| to make himself comfort and support
tc her. But then he was not particular
" in love with Stella-only with her pref
ty face and her fortune. The pretty
face would now, he reflected, be disfig-
ured with tears; he had better stop away.
The fortune-thank heaven!-was all the
more secure because of Matthew Rae
burns death. No father would now be
there to interfere, and Stella would not
object to his using her money in his own
way. Harrington built a good many
brilliant castles in the air at this time,
1t seemed to him that his luck was about
to change.
He wrote little note to her and put it
in the post-bag at the last moment with
his own hand, so that no other eyes should
rest upon the address. 1t was skillful-
~ worded little note; short, tender, SYM
pathetic, yet not sufficiently definite to
commit him to very much in the future.
He was not surprised to receive an an
swer in less than twenty-four hours.
Stella must have written within very
short time of receiving his letter. It was
clear that she was longing to be com.
forted; that she thoroughly believed in
his protestations, and that she had no
idea of holding anything from the man
she loved. At the same time, he thought
her little cold.
Dear Mr.. Huntington" she wrote
your kind letter has just reached me-
l can quite Understand why you did not
write before. We are in great trouble
cannot tell you everything in letter
but if you will come to see me-after
Friday-we can talk together. You will
tell me what to dol trust you with all
my heart. have not known you long
but feel as if years had passed since we
came to Dundee together on board the
Britannia. You will forgive me If have
said too much. STELLA"
Ito be continued.)