The Red Cloud chief., 1898-03-18

this apparatus she always made the
tea herself with much pride. aud some
help from Dick. Ii generally fell 20
Dicks lot to light the lamp, but to-
lay she was all ready for him, and
had but to turn up the light Il little
to have the water boiling.
There she said. after about Ave
minutes" and handing him a cup OF
tea. Now tell me all-everything."
Well" said Dick. finding himself
thus fairly up in a corncr. and unable
TO put of the evil moment any longer,
Il went"
"Yes?" eagerly.
And | saw her ladyship"
"Oh! and is she up?"
Up! My dear child. Lady Aylmer
Is as well as | am" he answered.
Dorothy looked at him in wonder.
oh! Dick" she cried. but what a
wicked old man."
"Ah! ! fancy 1t runs in the blood
said Dick, easily. 'One man couldn't
have so much original sin of his "
as the old savage has; it must be he
redity."
Then do you think you will tell
horribly wicked stories when you are
Lord Aylmer. Dick?" she asked. ro-
guishly.
"Perhaps-who knows? All the same
there is one story | shall never tell
you," drawing her tendegly toward
him. II shall always be true AS the
Gospels when | tell YOU that | love
YOU better than any other woman in
all the world
Something in his voice touched the
tenderest chords Of her heart. and set
t%hrobbing and beating with IA sicken-
ing sensation of fear. Dick" she
said in a whisper, us it very bad news
that you are trying to break to me
does II mean India. after ALE"
Dick looked straight into her clear
eyes. MY dear little love-" he said,
Il am afraid 1t does mean India, after
all; but If it does, it shall mean India
for us both"
He told her everything then-how
Lady Aylmer had received him, how
she had openly declared that her hus-
band had some scheme Of his own to
~ ~ "a ooNii. W az wv 81
age had received him, and what end
their interview had come to. But. of
course" he wound up, although |
took time to consider 1t, my mind was
made up in a moment. | shall refuse
the appointment
There was a moments silence.
Dick, dearest" said Dorothy. in Il
quivering voice, ''is it IA very good
thing to he a military secretary to Il
governor-general?'
ooh, well-yes-it IL. dear" he ad-
mitted.
II mean, would you have refused 1t
If you had not been married, if you
had never seen me-"
mo, don't suppose | should. | dare
say ! should never have bothered to
get such an appointment. because, as
o know, | hate the very idea of go
ing to India. but, at the same time.
TO be quite honest. | don't suppose |
should have refused. / don't suppose
any man In his senses would"
Dorothy drew her breath sharply,
and for a minute or two did not speak.
Dick, darling" she said at length, "it
Is true that you are married, but /
don't see that that Is any reason why
you should not be in your senses. tCo."
What do you mean. Dorothy" he
asked quickly.
well. just this. Surprising that
Lord Aylmer had let you refuse this
appointment, and had not made himself
.disagreeable about your allowance, we
should have to go on just as we are
doing now. And, Of course, Dick dear.
should like to be Mrs. Aylmer instead
of Mrs. Harris, and TO live with the
regiment rather than in Palace Man
sions; but-but. at the same time, since
there is so much to be gained by it,
I would just as soon be Mrs. Harris IN
one place as in another, IL | must be
Mrs. Harris at ALL"
Dick caught her close to him. DO
rothy, you mean he began.
81 mean" she ended firmly. that |
would sooner 60 to India as Mrs. Har-
ris than drag you down in your pro-
f~ession, and put you at loggerheada
with your uncle; because he is your
uncle, and the head of your family
even though he is such an old savage
as he is"
But, my dear, my dear, do you
know that in that case | should have
TO go at once" he cried.
Eyes, / know that, Dick she an
swered.
"But l can't leave you alone, JUG
now-I can't, Dorothy" he exclaimed
Its impossible; 1t would be inhuman
Why, l should be out OF my mind viii
anxiety and Distress
mo, no-you would know that | wal
proud and happy to be able to do
something to help you," she replied
Il would rather that you were hero
but. then, l would always rather tina
you were here. That Is not a new feel
ing for me, And l shall not be alone
shall have Barbara, YOU know. Bar