Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-05-26
The TRAGEDY Of !
r.
! DERECK pACKENHAM. ! !
81 hi
CHAPTER III.

----
Mr.. C~leavland's heart was not in the
task he had undertaken. for he had not
read Dereck's story after Lady Gro
by's fashion. To him there was an
other aspect. He knew Packenham TO
be a creature of impulses, guided by
momentary prejudices, and was thor
ouglily conscious of his friends dog
ged obstinancy with its admixture OF
the ~willfulness Of a spoilt and petted
child.
That he had been attracted by the
girl in her wild home Cleayfand had
not the slightest doubt. as little as he
doubted that she, with her first know
ledge of a nan of Dereck's stamp, had
been dazzled cut of her better judg.
ment. Then. again. ii was only natur-
al that the dying brother, whose mis-
chance had left her penniless, should
be anxious about his sisters future.
The dafk-eyed young barrister, who
had undertaken 10 see ii~artrigg's sis
ter. could read between the lines. His
heart was not in the work he had in
hand. as he stood in the little drawing
room of 1.-THE lodging in which John
Hartrlcg had breathed his last.
Mr.. Cleavland heard a foot on the
stairs. the rustic of n gown. the open
irg of a door. and then--almost on a
level with his own-two eyes looked in
to his.
"Untamed' he had heard them des-
ignated. Yes, they were; but they
were also the windows of a beautiful
soul as yet only half-awake TO the
realities of life. There was In them,
as they seemed to cast their lightning
swift chances at him, a certain look Of
eager welcome. But II had been only
momenfary. . The eager look died
out, while a wave OF color passed over
the fact confronting him, and then as
rapidly left IL.
Ii was a remarkable face, quite in
keeping with the girls eyes. Now that
the color had died out ii was pale, set
off by ripples of abundant brown hair.
The girls head was beautifully set ON
graceful shoulders. and, although now
dropping under the weight of a burden
that Mr.. Cleavland half comprehended,
he could judge of its airy poise under
more happy conditions. Cleavland was
a man Il whom all conditions of fe-
male beauty appealed, and this was of
a new character, too rare TO be speedi-
ly classified.
II come from Mr.. Packenham.' he
commenced, bowling low.
'.From-my husband? is he com
lngy'
The question awoke n thrill in the
young mans breast, but he felt that
be must conquer 1t.
HAS he not written?' he inquired.
No she replied, and the brief neg
alive raised a picture in Mr.. Clealand's
mind Of the desolate girl waiting at
her dead brothers side for the lover
the husband-who did not come. it
was some minutes before he could dis
card it and find words in which to
frame his answer.
mfr. PackeDham has been obliged TO
go to Ireland he explained, lamely.
Her next question was more difficult
to answer especially as a faint flicker
Of something like hope seemed to pass
oyer her expressive face.
HE did not knOw-did not receive
my letter-0r n telegram
Dereck's envoy would have given
anything to avoid giving an answer,
but the truth had to be told, even
though he might gloss 1t over.
He had arranged to go-before-
this. There have been recent family
bereavements. He is the heir now,
since his brothers tragical death. His
mother. a weak woman
Eyes," she interrupted.
sIt was necessary for him to go-hs
presence was required"
she seemed to listen In a dream.
Her thoughts we're evidently else
where.
II waited alone-all day" The
words fell from her lips ~irreleyantly.
1T was terribly sad," he said, feel
ing that he must say something. 4
The girl reused herself and asked,
abruptly:
.Hc has gone to IrelandT'
"Yes-on business; there have been
family bereavements." For the life of
him he felt it impossible to do more
than repeat himself.
But her next question completely
staggered him:
"As recently as this" she asked.
sNo. but-he had arranged. He babe
me tell you there is--there will be-no
difficulty respecting money matters
1t seemed so utterly base, SO con-
temptible, so vile. TO stand there and
offer the suffering girl. who was keep
ing herself so well in hand, money in
place of love and sympathy. Money.
He loathed the very sound Of the word.
Some of the strong feelings with
which he was imbued must have been
shared by her. She looked at him, but
with a very different look from the
first with which she had confronted
him Now there were questioning, ap'
peal. doubt, and pain-pain that was
too difificult to be expressed In mere
words.
II wrote last night when we feared
when he knew-that the end was ap-
proaching. I wrote. telling him how
John was craving to see him. 1t was
his last wish TO see him, to-explain.
/ am quite alone she added, with her
hands acknowledgements and
frierdless, in a strange country. He
wanted to know, to be sure that was
safe, with my husband. | wrote, but
Derack Cid not come. Then my poor
brother was taken from me thai same
nightv-the girl could hardly restrain
a rush Of tears. '"Then, in the morn
ire, when | was utterly alone, | tele-
graphed. Still he did rot come, but
sent you.''
The slight emphasis on the last word