Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-04-14

She fell into silence, after she had
spoken her mind. turning aud ponder
ing the matter. Whom could they De
keeping Ia durance, and for what pur
pose?
1T annot be, Elsie. We must both
have imagined these sounds, l begin 10
think" she said, at length. in this
nineteenth century Ii would be moral
ly impossible for any person to nave
disappeared without some hue and cry
being made about them. And yet
certainly that voice. which rings In my
ears now. must belong 10 a person OF
tangible flesh and blood"
1T does" said Elsie, o~racularly. II
am certain OF IL: and what is more, l
believe il Is a woman. for though the
tones are so hoarse and unnatural, still
I feel sure that they are those or a
woman. Pansy. | believe" she said,
looking fearfuuy around. that We're
we to discover anything, they would
kill U.S."
They would not dare, But, Elsie.
we must be very cautious-very care
full, lest they should set a closer
watch upon our movements. | have a
plan-wild, Immature jet, for | have
not thought how il is TO be compassed;
but I mean TO run away from here.
Yes.'-hOlding up a warning ringer, as
Eisie's face fell-".yes. but not without
you. We will 90 together. and will
provide for and look after you all
your life. Were il not that your rath-
er Is my legal guardian, and able to
coerce me and bring me back by force.
| would go ut once to dear Miss Fen
wick; but that would be useless. for
she would not be able TO retain me I'M
der her roof, il ne insisted on my re
turning with him. No: l have a little
money with me-not much. but enough
70 keep US both for a few weeks until
/ can decide what will be best 10 do
Yes said Elsie. lit would be Heav-
en- To get away from this lark and ter
ribIe house: but IL is hopeless-l know
il is. They will never let US leave here
alive. You do not know Mordant Cair
as | do. | believe he can read ones
thoughts
Nonsense, We shall manage TO
hoodwink him, never fear" said Pan
sy. hopefully. You keep to your pres
ent role, Elsie. and be as fantastic aud
wild as you please"
At 7oL "a = A&A4 go 80
prospect of emancipation was TOO al
Turing TO be resisted. She cIasped her
hands. and gazed at her newly-found
friend with all her soul in her eyes.
Just then Pansy saw the figure Of a
man approaching along the hig road.
The orchard vas extensive. and be-
yond it again was a narrow paddock
next the road.
Somewhat TO her surprise. she saw
the stranger mount on a broken part
of the oak fencing. then vault lightly
into the meadows.
What can he want?" said Pansy.
drawing her cousins attention 10 the
trespasser. 1T cannot be fruit at this
time Of the year. See. he is coming
this way as coolly as il the place be-
longed 70 him. Do you know him.
Elsie"
No. There are few inhabitants
about here, and / know them all by
said the girl. Il wonder who
he is?-
Il think we had better get down"
said Pansy. 1T would be very undig-
nified for us 10 be ~accosted up a tree"
In another minute they were stand
ing together ~decorously beneath the
trees. watching. with considerable in
the movements of the intruder.
was a young man, tail and well
knit. His face was pleasant, albeit
somewhat hard-featured; but his eyes,
serene and intellectual. would have re-
deemed a far less homely face, and
made 1t almost handsome.
As he approached the girls, be lifted
his hat. and asked, c~ourteously. IL they
could tell which was the way TO ST.
church?
Il have been directed in an ambigu-
Gus sort of way by the people in the
that Is about four miles from
Craigeerie; but seem to have lost my
bearings. and don't know what road
TO take he explained, loAking from
one girl to the other in perplexity, they
were so different in manner and ap-
pearance, though both were pretty and
in face.
Pansy looked to Elsie for informa-
ton.
Can you direct this gentleman" she
asked.
st. LawreneeT' repeated Elsie, with
q shy. upward glance at the stranger.
1T is still some distance from here. Ii
lies over there"-pointing away past
the stretch Of moorland to where a dis
tant spire was family visible on the
horizon. 1T is a good four miles from
here, as the crow flies. Are you going
TO see Mr.. Umberslade, the vicary?n
Il hope to have an interview with
the incumbent, aud ask his permission
to search the register for evidence of
the marriage of a distant connection of
our family, and without which link ia
the chain Of evidence, our claim to a
large property must inevitably col
he said, smiling genially at his
informant.
Il hope you win be successful IL.
your quest" said Pansy, who felt
drawn to the stranger, she scarcely
knew why. Perhaps it might be that
reminded her of the civilized world.
Does this property belong to Mr..
Thunder. may l askY" he said, point.
ing to Black Tarn Grange.
Yes. 1t Is my fathers house be-
yond the Park palings," volunteered
Elsie, following the direction of his
eyes. do you know him ?,-struck
by the look of awakened intelligence In
his face.
mo; l have not the honor of his &C
u~aintance." he said, quietly, wondering
which was the elder of the two girls.
but thinking that the prettior had ra.