Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-07-29
CHAPTER y1y.

CHAPTER XIV.
The first lcngthening days Of spring
have Il saddcning effect on those who
have suffered. To Dorothy, and, indeed,
to her aff%ectionate friend Henrietta, it
was Il melancholy period. The little ones
had ceased to ask for Papa or "Mam-
ina.' and her guardians visits were the
only bits of sunshine in Dorothy's life.
She watched with almost motherly inter-
est the growth of the baby hoy, the UNI
folding Of the little girls intelligence.
But the supreme solace was the warm,
thoughtful sympathy of Standish. Their
conversations We're always a source of
Tranquil pleasure, hut when he did not
come for two or three days, her sense Of
desolation was almost insupportable.
Meanwhile, Standish found his position
improved, his prospects Frightening, since
his successful conduct Of business con-
tided to him in Berlin and Vienna, also
the amount Of work he had to attend to
was greatly increased, SO the time he
could place at his wards disposal was less
than formerly.
Fastening n dim afternoon up Pail
Mall. and looking out for an empty han
som, he came suddenly face to face with
Egerton.
He knew the figure and bearing, but
was almost uncertain us to the identity Of
the face, so changed was it in many ways.
The large eyes We're sunken. and had a
panied, hunted expression. The cheeks
looked hollow, the clear, olive tint had
become IL dusky pallor, n large mustache
hid his mouth and altered him still more.
why, Egerton"
"Standish! I was on my way to leave
my Carl Mt your lodgings to let you know
I was in town."
Il am very glad to see you. When did
you come up!"
Yesterday. I am putting up at Longs.
l have given up my room in the Albany.
l am thinking of trying a little elephant
shooting In Africa il CALENDER does not
want me. I had a letter from him a cou-
pie of days ago. Which way are you go
ing? 1 will come with you"
dorothy had II few lines from him, too,
last week." said Standish, as they walked
on; che had been to see his mother at
Nice. and spoke Of returning to England
80 he does to me. He is, for the first
time. anxious to know what success has
attended our efforts. I trust he will re-
turn quite himself"
There was an Understandable melancholy
in Egerton's voice that struck Standish.
and he felt some surprise as we'll as in
creased interest in his companion.
How is Miss Wynn?" continued Eyer
ton; II have heard of her now and then
from Miss Oakeley, and l should greatly
like to see her before I leave England il
she will see me-"
This vas said in a constrained voice.
with pauses and breaks, as though he
forced himself to utter the words me
chanically.
Just now, I am sure Dorothy will not
see you or any one. The boy is rather
seriously i'll with bronchitis-rather a bad
business for SO small n chap. His aunt
never leaves him. 1t would be an awful
shock to Callander to arrive and find no
son. 1t is all very hard on such a mere
girl as Dorothy. But she has more of n
backbone than her sweet, pretty sister
| had"
Yes, yes" interrupted Egerton, hastily.
Tell me, how is it that f1ighty Miss Oake-
ley has stuck SO steadily to her ole of
eomforter?"
Her heart is better thar her head,''
returned Standish. Henrietta Oakeley
has proved herself a capital woman. 1
have grown quite fond of her. She would
make an admirable wife to any man who
knew how to manage her."
"Oh, indeed!" with a languid smile.
Tell me more about the report Of that
consul of which you wrote to me. I don't
understand why they have not made more
diligent search for that fellow you all
suspect-Pedro."
"We suspect! Don't you? Come and
dine with me at the club tonight and We
will discuss it all; now I must 80 on to
Miss Oakeley's. 1 have not heard how
the boy is to-day"
LET me come with you. I must see
them again." 1t seemed to Standish from
the tone of his voice that the necessity
was not an agreeable one.
Come, by all menns," he returned.
They were soon bowling along towards
K%ensington.
Miss Oakeley was not at home when
they reached the house. But Collins, who
remained as the factotum, protector and
semi-dictator of the joint household, said
that she would be in soon.
The gentlemen were therefore shown up
to the drawing room, where a tea table
was set ready for the absent mistress.
II will go and see Dorothy, il you
don't mind, Egertom," said Standish, af-
ter moving somewhat restlessly to and
fro. looking at the papers and periodicals
that lay about. "She generally mounts
guard about this time, and the nurse.
you remember, Mrs. McHugh"-Egerton
nodded his head with a slightly impa-
tent movement-''goes to tea"
Don't mind me-" returned the other.
Standish had hardly left the room when
Miss Oakeley entered it; she was richly
dressed, with abundance of black fur on
her cloak and round her throat, and look
cd very handsome.
"Oh! dear me-. Mr.. Egerton, I am so
glad to see you. / could hardly believe
my ears when Collins said you were here,
Bit do you know you are looking fright.
fully i'll? You don't mind my saying SO,
do you? You ought to go away to SOM
warm, cheerful place. Really, the gloomi.