Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-07-06

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vet a little Of the florid hue left the
Hon. Jasper's rudy cheek, and a nerv-
n not customary to him worked
his frame.
His hand, too. trembled, and he per-
ceptibly hesitated ere he turned the
handle of the door leading into the
room indicated.
Standing there. he looked the type OF
n I E~nglishman, whom the world
had treated well during the nearly six
ty years which had passed over his
head.
Time had dropped some powder on
the ono dark locks. but the brow be-
meath was unlined. and the smile about
his mouth had not lost its almost boy
ish winsomeness.
Yet he was one OF England's ablest
barristerS. and his Office had been the
consultation room of nearly all of Eng
lands greatest advocates. In that Of
flee a lady, a stranger, now awaited
him. lie surely was trying her pa
thence and ours.
He opened the door and entered. AT
the sound, a oma dressed in deep
mourning. her face entirely concealed
by the heavy Grape of her veil, but Il
certain elegance and grace of figure
! ~perceptible beneath its folds as it fell
To the hem Of her gown, rose from her
chair. and sioou, with one frand rOucn'
ing the edge of the table, almost as IL
for support. She bowed her head
slightly. he fancied almost haughtily.
rs this the Hon. Mr.. StrongT" she
asked.
And the low, sweet voice instructive
ly attracted him.
sit is, madam" he responded, with
an answering bow. pray be seated,
and let me know in what way | can be
of service to you"
Without obeying the courteous in
| vitation. she raised her arm, and, with
a quick movement, threw back her
veil.
The lawyer started. A woman of ex-
luisite beauty. elegance and grace
stood revealed to his gaze. She could
yet scarce have numbered two-and-
twenty years. Her dress was simple
and inexpensive, but it's somber shade
rendered more dazzling the fiawless
purity of her skin. and her low, white
brow was shaded by ripping waves OF
rudy gold. Again the low, sweet voice
broke the silence:
81 saw an advertisement some days
ago in a London journal. 1t was this"
And she held toward him n paper she
had in her hand.
His own trembled as he took it from
hers. A premonition as to- his visitors
efrand had dawned upon him at his
clerks simple announcement; yet the
advertisement TO which she alluded
had been inserted for six months in the
daily prints. and heretofore had been
without response.
One hasty glance convinced him that
his suspicion was correct The printed
words at which he glanced were of his
own composing. and this their purport:
ANY n able TO give Information
concerning Herbert Dalrymple (now
Lord Montfort), who left England three
years ago. or Of his wife. or possible
heirs. will receive n reward of 600. by
applying at the office of Strong, Turn
bull & Strong, IL Charing Cross, Lon
DON"
One hasty glance the lawyer took,
and her his gaze, shrewd but kindly,
rested ON the strangers face.
"I am to believe you bring us news
of this young man?n he asked. 1T will
be most grateful to his mother. She
has received no line from him since his
rash aud unfortunate marriage
Again that strange smile parted the
exquisite lips.
MIR. Dalrymple's marriage. then. was
deemed unfortunate by his friends =
she questioned.
NO longer Mr.. Dalrymple. II he
lives. madam. his brothers death
makes him Lord Montfort."
$50 I inferred from the wording or
| the message. she replied. us 1t the II
tie which makes this new anxiety
among his family concerning his fate?'
The lawyer frowned.
"His mother is dying of a broken
heart he said, ''pining for the n boy
left her. the pride which banished him
from his house the worm of remorse at
| her heart. Him or his she would Wei
! come with omen arms. The wife she
once despised she would now give "a
mothers love. If there were children.
she would make tksm as her Own. III
you have news. nlsdam, l pray you
withhold it no longer. I know not
whether the reward might be of ser.
vice to you. but. for authentic informal
ton we wouid gladly double it,"
Information concerning Herbert
Dairymple is. alas, not in my power to
| give you. But of his wife
She paused.
.sNyelI. what Of her? Poor girl! IL
she has suffered, her future shall know
DO want. no care"
..She has suffered. Mr.. ~Strong-aye.
cruelly.' was the low, quick answer.
with sudden fire and meaning In her
words. Suffered as neither you mol
this proud. naughty woman can con-
ceive-sufered as only | a tel you.
for | am She"
The lawyer staggered back. How
was It. with all his legal acumen. his
legal penetration. he had not suspected
this before? What, indeed, should be
so natural?
And how readily. in the sight of this
glorious beauty, could he understand
the infatuatien that had made the boy
he had known from infancy give up
home. fortune and friends for its pos
session:
Yet. through il all there came q sud
den sense of pain. of disappointment.
He remembered. on his last visit to
Montfort Castle. the sad. despairing
words of the stricken mother. whose
desolate heart yearned for it's children.
Would this woman-young, lovely.
beautiful-be 10 her u daughter!