The Red Cloud chief., 1899-06-30

interrupted my observations with .
respectful greeting.
Dinner will so served at Z O'Clock.
sir" he said. Twill you take any re-
freshments n~ow-brandy or soda, or
sherry and bitters. sir? There is tea
in the drawing-room still" Then. as
| declined all his hospitable SUCCESS
tions. he added, II will show you to
your room. then, II you please. sir.
The Colonel IL sleeping: the doctors
are most anxious he should not be
disturbed. We had Sir Alfred Cox
down from London ills morning. !
was to say that the Colonel might not
be able to see you for some little time.
He has had nc sleep before this for
eight-and-forty hours-he has had
such violent pains-and now that the
sleeping -draught has taken effect the
medical gentlemen make a great point
Of"
"Oh. certainly quite understand
We must hope that this sleep will be
n turning point In the Illness" | said
cheerfully. "0f course It Is OF vital
Importance that the Colonel should
not be aroused. Sleep Is often he
best medicine
THE Colonel has been counting the
hours until You could DO here. SIR" the
man went on. as he unpacked m
portmanteau and laid out my apparel.
He sent for the Bradshaw as soon as
your telegram came. and ordered tho
dog-cart himself. lie only dropped on
as you turned Into the avenue. Is that
all l can do for you, sir? You will find
the morning papers In the library
There was a suppressed interest and
excitement In the manner OF the man,
who was evidently an old n conf
Dental retainer. Ny arrival and mis-
sion were, as | could see. matters OF
supreme Importance and curiosity to
that anxious household. ''
The butler was waiting for me again
in the hall as ] descended the stairs.
He threw open the door Of the room
on the right, and ushered me In With
the announcement:
Mr.. Fort"
IL was with n momentary and un-
comfortable thought Of my morning
dress that I found myself In the pres
enc Of n lady-a fair slim girl whose
white gown made her at once q con
spicuous point in the sombre, heavily
furnished room. She was seated In o
large leather chair at the table In the
center Of the apartment, her hands
folded over the closed volume In her
lap, and her eyes fixed upon the door.
Large limpid blue-gray eyes they were,
| saw as / came nearer, searching mine
/ with an anxious questioning gaze.
a This then was the Mona" OF whom
[ my fellow passengers had s%poken-the
4 ideal about which l had woven so many
imaginings. A very fair maiden, the
s fairest, sweetest--I decided on the In
stant-whom 1t had eyer been my lot
to meet, although the lovely eyes were
ringed with dark shadows as from
watching and weeping, and the white
gown had been put on without the ad
dition OF a single flower or ornament
She rose as / advanced towards he
and bowed grayely. Once. l though
her hand stole out with a hesitatinl
gesture-as IL she would have Offered
1t to me. But Il was withdrawn almos
instantly, and rested on the table be
side her, as she stood, a graceful droop
ing figure, with that lndescribable an
exquisite grace of delicate refinemel
which Is inherited-never acquired.
very gracious chatelaine. ] thought. 1
the sleeping colonel upstairs should s.
will. And with the thought there cam
a STANCE dumb thrill Of pain. as
the fair vision were floating AVA
from me into the dim shadowy dis
lance.
Some conventional remark as to tn
weather was the only thing which oc
Cured to me. and seemed for its com
monplaceness tcrribE out OF harmon
with the spirit Of the occasion, es
pecially as It was met by another Ions
troubled, almost trembling look Int
my face. 49,.
Ito be %continued.)