Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-09-15
| The Doom Of
DeanshQrst.
]
CHAPTER XVII. continued.)

Ills tkuD WIS VI! ITO iltd1S III IL VIZ
rect line to Waterloo Station. but he
took it on his way. The glamour of
his new dignity was still strong. and
he was sure to meet plenty of congrat-
ulatory friends there. especially "a sew
eral morning papers had given prom
inence to Oscars untimely fate. The
Morning Post even headed the para
graph The Doom of Deanshurst,'
with pointed reference to the tradition
nj family curse. Most Of them men,
toned Stephen us successor to the bar
onetcy. AS he had expected, he re-
ceived the usual expressions of con-
dolence which. addressed TO an heir,
are but yelled congratulations. And
then he took train for Deanshurst, hay
iag decided not to notify Hirst Of his
advent. but rather 10 take that astute
functionary by surprise. Consequent
~. there was 40 carriage awaiting him
nj Winchester. and he had to hire a
fly. Just as Joe Norris had done n few
weeks previously.
Yell be main late for L buryin,
sir remarked the lyman. glancing ut
Stephens mourning hat band.
What burying.' blurted out Ste
phen. Off his guard for the moment.
Why. Sir Derek. to be sure WAS
the astonished rejolnder. Il Thought
rs 'ow twas for that you was COON
DOWN, belize"
Il couldn't get down by NJ earlier
train" ssammercd the lawyer, in some
confusion. However, never mine
that. Drive rs fast rs YOU can"
The driver obeyed, and stirred his
old horse up to his best six-miles-an-
hour gait. He did not recognize his
fare. but thought him a very strange
gentleman TO come down late for a fu-
neral he seemed to know nothing
about. However, that was no BUSH
ness of his, which was TO earn Il dou-
BILE fare by free use Of whipcorq.
The iodge-keepcr's wife knew Ste
phen at once. and curtesied as they
drove through the park gates. Which
recognition so impressed the lyman
that he finished his journey nj n hand
gallop. The hall door stood half open,
and stephen. without pausing TO ring.
walked straight in. The house was,
apparently. deserted. Doubtless the
interment had not yet concluded. and
the entire household was attending the
ceremony. The family vault was at
some distance from the house. Ought
he-late as he clearly waste put in
an appearance: No. 1T would, he
thought. look u%ndiguiied ut this stage
of the proceedings especially as he
was only in half-m9urning. He would
await the return of the funeral party.
in Hirst's office, II it were open. 1t
was. and he walked in.
A small. cheoriullooking man was
engaged in the scemingly-interesting
occupation OF ranSacking the apart
ment very thoroughly.
.'Halloa. you, SIR exclaimed Ste-
phen. in angry amazement. What
the deuce are You doing herel'
"HaIloa, to you. sir" was the quiet
response. TN engaged in the cam-
mendable work OF minding my W
business. May /. in turn, ask yours
Perhaps my name may %enlighten
you OH tina. point rejoined the law
yer, contenptuously. Il am stephen
Deanc."
oh. indeed remarked the little
man, calmly. younger nephew, | be-
lieve. of the late Sir Derekg'
"His only surviving nephew" corr
rectcd stephen. ".fy elder brother,
Oscar. was recently drowned"
Dear me. How shocking. :. Two
deaths in such quick succession.
Then. L presume, Mr.. Deane, you came
down for the funeral? II so, regret
TO say, you are late. Your uncle's re-
mains were deposited in the family
vault two hours ago"
'.And who are you?"
Joseph Norris, managing clerk TO
Messrs. Crashcr & Hookum. Lincoln's
Inn Fields, and very much ut your SER
vice, sir. Our Mr.. Hookum is mt pres
ent in the library with the late Sir
Derek's legal representatives. Had
you not better see them
II shall do so presently" assented
Stephen.
us Mr.. Hirst aware OF your intru-
sion into this Office continued Stc-
phen.
MIR. Hirst's connection with Deans
hurst ceased aud determined an hour
ago. replied Joe. IL am in charge"
"And by whose orders?' demanded
Stephen. angrily.
sour Mr.. Hooknm's,' was the suave
reply.
Course your MFR. Hookumv' vocifer-
ated the enraged heir, stalking off at
high pressure to the library. 1t was
fin the right wing of the rambling old
mansion. and on the way he overlook
a lady dressed in deep mourning. pro-
ceeding in the same direction. Their
eyes met. Nor rs they had once met.
with looks OF passion on the n sid
and upon blind devotion upon the 9th
or. -Aii. NO. The trcachery OF the pas
sson had changed the blind devotion
into wide-awake hatred. He saw the
light of battle coming over her face,
and read the defiance flashed from her
beautiful dark eyes. There could be
but one explanation OF her presence.
She had ~endeayored, in his absence, to
pose as his wife. Well. he lGnd arrived
in time to nip that little scheme In the
bud, mt all events.
.sTnIs is an unexpected pleasure.
Miss Bennett he remarked, raising
his hat with exaggerated courtesy.
Lady Deane, Ii you please" she cor
rected. sweetly.
"Soh! You've seen Oscars death In
the papers already, them
Eyes. Very sad, was 1t not:'
Stephen broke into a mocking laugh.
AIJpon my word. you play your part