The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-07-21

ADtN fora, she TOOK HIS
N arm and led him
away a few steps
from the place in which Mrs. Crayford
was standing.
There is no storm now, and there
are no duties to be done on board the
ship" she said, with a faint sad smile
which it wrung Crayford's heart TO
see. "You are Eucy's husband, and
you have an interest in me for Lucy
sake. Don't shrink on that account
from giving me pain. l can bear pain.
Friend and brother, will you believe
that l have courage enough to hear the
worst? VIII you promise not to
deceive me about Frank?"
The gentle resignation in her voice,
the sad pleading in her look, shook
Crayford's self-possession at the out
set. He answered her in the worst pos
sible manner-he answered her evas-
| lively.
My dear Clara" he said, what have
/ done that you should suspect me OF
| deceiving you?"
She looked him searchingly in the
| face-then glanced with renewed dis
| trust at Mrs. Crawford There was a
moment of silence. Before any OF the
| three could speak again, they were in
tcrrupteu by the appearance Of one
| of Crayford's brother officers, followed
by two sailors carrying a hamper be-
| tween them. Crawford instantly drop
| ped Clara's arm, and seized the well
come opportunity of speaking Of other
things.
ANY instructions from the ship
Steventon?" he asked, approaching the
officer
Verbal instructions only" Steven
| ton replied. THE ship will sail with
| the food tide. We shall fire gun to
collect the people, and send another
| boat ashore. In the meantime here
are some refreshments for the pas
sengers. The vessel is in a state of
confusion; the ladies will eat their
| lunch more comfortably here"
Hearing this, Mrs. Crawford took her
| opportunity of silencing Clara next.
Come, my dear" she said, "let us
lay the cloth and put the lunch on the
| table before the gentlemen come in"
Clara was too seriously bent on at
| tanning the object which she had in
view, to be silenced in that way. 81
will help you directly" she answered.
| then crossed the room and addressed
herself to the officer whose name was
| Steventon.
Can you spare few minutes?' she
asked. Il have something to say to
you"
81 am entirely at your service, Miss
Durham"
Answering in those words, Steventon
dismissed the two sailors. Mrs. Cray
ford looked anxiously at her husband
| Crawford whispered to her. Don't be
alarmed about Steventon. I have eau
toned him: l believe he is to be de-
pended on"
Clara beckoned to Crawford to re-
| turn to her.
II will not keep you long," she said;
II will promise not to distress Mr..
Steventon. Young as I am, you shall
both find that / am capable OF self
control. 1 won't ask you to go back
to the story of your past sufferings
I only want to be sure that I am right
about one thing-I mean about what
happened at the time when the ex-
| ploring party was dispatched in search
of help. AS I understand it, you cast
lots among yourselves who was to go
with the party, and who was to remain
behind. Frank cast the lot to co.
She paused, shuddering. "And Richard
Wardour," she went on, least the lot
to remain behind. On your honor, as
officers and gentlemen, is this the
| truth?'
ION my honor" Crawford answered
cit is the truth"
ION my honor" Steventon repeated
cit is the truth"
She looked at them, carefully con-
| sidering her next words before she
spoke again.
"You both drew the lot to stay in
the huts," she said, addressing Crayforf
and Steventon. land you are both
here. Richard Wardour drew the II,
to stay, and Richard wardour ia mo,
here. How does his name come N h.
with Franks on the list OF the miss
ingf"
(ro N cosrINuln,)