Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-06-02
"Let us hope So" she said, amblgu-

painful silence, and It was MIS-. rack
enham who broke In.
Il have learned how to paint since |
last saw you" she added.
'Since | last saw your What q hood
of memories went surging through his
mind as he thought OF all that had
come and gone since the day when she
looked into his face with half-territ1ed
eyes, and the quick but firm reply up
on her lips-"I will stay with my
brother!.,
The years that had interviewed had
been one long and cruel offence against
heroine terrible mistake, which 1t
would take all his future life to set
right-if it ever could be.
Then Miss Mansfield came into the
room. and Afra introduced her to Der
eek as her faithful friend. The women
drew closer together. Dereck instinct
lively felt that this friend OF Afra'S dis
trusted him.
Mr.. Cleavland talked as if it were in
cumbent that someone must talk, ana
the three appeared 10 have much IN
common. Miss Mansfield seemed to be
acquainted with everything-social Cos
sip, art. literature-while he, who could
command sufficient money to buy the
whole street had he been so minded,
was compelled to sit ana listen.
Il met your aunt, Lady Groby, the
other evening" 1t was Afra who
spoke. ''She did me the honor to adj
mire my picture which Is on view in
the Gainsborough Galleries l have
another here-would o care TO see
1t? You know something about paint
ing"
Up he queried, vaguely. Nothing
in the world But | should like to see
anything you have done"
Nrs. Packenham rose TO her feet and
led the way to the inner studio Mr..
Cleayland saw the heavy curtain fall
behind them, but did not offer TO fol-
low Possibly Id was her womanfs way
of seeking to be alone with the man
who stood in so strange a position in
regard to her. She had a perfect right
TO have her wish: but it was as If Il
blight had fallen upon his existence.
Then he thought what a scoundrs4 he
was showing himself to be.
Miss Mansfield talked, the lawyer re-
piled: yet voices, onR subdued, the'sth-
erclear, calm, penetrating, would force
themselves upon his attention.
oh" the one said II have wanted
for nothing. and hope soon to be abIe
to- support myself"
This was followed by an inarticuiate
muu1ur.
Il did not know that I had a righS TO
anything" was the response. MIR.
Clearland told me the Law OF the case"
Then there was another confused
sound, during wtiich Beta Mansfislo
gays her opinion upin the latest novel
of the day and the tendencies thereof.
M C~leavland mrttered some com
monplaceS in reply, although he was
suffering from fierce emotions mean
while.
Just then Miss Mansfield's servant
ame to tell her thar the model wished
to see her, and the lawyer was left 10
himself.
AEra's calm voice. was heard TO utter:
There is nothing that can be said"
Prolonged murmnning, which endal
almost in a moan, vas followed by Mr..
Packenham saying
''dt vas because OF what my friend,
Mr. Cleavland, told mel would not
have taken it otherwise"
Then came a sound as Of the stamp
Of a foot on the polished floor of ahe
studio.
There is no need for this was
heard in Afra'S vuice-"not The slight
est. | have ceased to ask for ii, and do
Eaot expect it. I have done with you
forever"
The mans reply. as far as coual be
heard, was falteTing.
Mr.. Cleavland moved towards the
door, buG a rustiing behind him made
him turn. Afra had swapt back the
curtain, and stood looking at him while
Dereck Packenham. his face white and
drawn, his eyes flashing. was behind
her.
WIN you kindly see 20 any business
matters that may require setting right
between Mr.. Packenham and myself?"
she asked the lawyer. Hitherto you
have acted between as, and | should
wish you TO continue. you to- do SO for
the present"
Mr.. Cleavland keps his eyes lowered.
II am ready 10 make All the repara-
ton in my power Mr.. Paekenham
said-"eyerything you wish; " and his
voice trembled. II hare done you .
cruel wrong-not one, thousand. l ae-
knowledge all, aaa wenla gladly gise
all L possess TO undo everything"
THAT is impossible Afra broke In. !
not hastily or angrfly, but with calm,
incisive tones, which gave additional
force to her words BEST let the past
remain undsSturbed. We have each
made mistakes. Let il be our study to
avoid them in future. There is no aues-
ton of-of old standpoints. We have
gone bevond them"
but the way TO reconciliation ana ro
pentance is not barred" the man plead
ed-'all in my pOwer-everything you
can desire"
IAN that I desire is to be left to end
my life in peace" Mrs. Packenham
stood between the men, not wayerina
or hesitating, calm as il what she was
saying were the most natural thing Ia
the world. Il have no legal right, per
haps. to- your money" she continued,
turning towards her husband-snone In
the world, although I believe that,
morally. my claim Is good"
"fou have the right TO half OF what
l possess!" Dereck cried, impulsively-
ito it all, il you will only fulfil your
part Of the bond! Cleavland. speak TO
her! Tell her that she Is reaIlv cnd