The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-07-04
1HE EXPOSURE OF LORD S1ANSFORD.
By ROBERT BARR.
Copyright, 1855, by Robert Barr.l

The large mansion of Louis Heckle, I
millionaire and dealer in gold Mines
was Illuminated from top to bottom.
Carriages We're arriving and departing
and guests were hurrying up the car
peted stair after passing under the can
opy that stretched from the doorway to
the edge of the street. A crowd of on
lockers stood on the pavement watching
the arrival of ladies so charmingly at
tired. Lord Stansford came alone in
hanson, and he walked quickly across
the bit of carpet stretched to the road
way, ard then more leisurely up the
broad stair. He was an athletic young
fellow of % or thereabout The mo-
ment he entered the large reception
room his eyes wandered searchingly
over the gallant company, apparently
looking for some one whom he could
not find. He passed into farther room,
and through that into third. and
there his searching gaze met the stare
of Billy Heckle Heckle was a young
man of about the same age as Lord
Stansford and he also was seemingly
on the outlook for some one among the
arriving guests The moment he saw
Lord Stansford slight frown gathered
upon his brow, and he moved among
the throng toward the spot where the
other stood. Stansford saw him coming,
and did not seem to be so pleased as
might have been expected, but he made
no motion to avoid the young man, who
accosted him without salutation.
ssLook here, said Heckle grutfly 81
want word with you.
Every we'll, answered Stansford in
low voice. ESQ long as you speak in
tones no one else can hear am willing
to listen.
"You will listen whether or no. re-
piled the other, who nevertheless took
the hint and subdued his voice. II
have met you on various occasions late
| ly, and want to give you word of
| warning You seem to be very devoted
to Miss Linderham; so perhaps You do
not know she is engaged to me. y"
81 have heard it so stated" said
Lord Stansford. ''but have found some
difficulty in believing the statement -
.sNow, see herel" cried the horsy
young man. 81 want none of your
cheek, and give you fair warning that
if you pay any more attention to the
young lady shall expose you inpublic.
mean what | say, and 1 am not going
to stand any of Your nonsense. "
| Lord Stansford's face grew pale, and
he glanced about him to see if by
chance any one had overheard the re-
mark. He seemed about to resent it,
but finally gained control over himself
and said:
1--WE are in your fathers house. Mr..
Heckle, and suppose it is quite safe
to address remark like that to me'
81 know it's quite safe-anywhere,
replied Heckle. .sYou've got the
straight tip from me; now see you pay
attention to it. .
/ Heckle turned away, and Lord STAINS
ford, after standing there for mo-
ment, wandered back to the middle
room. The conversation had taken place
somewhat near a heavily curtained
window, and the two men stood slight
ly apart from the other guests When
they left the spot the curtains were
drawn gently apart, and tall, very
handsome young lady stepped from be-
tween them. She watched Lord STAINS
ford's retreat for moment, and then
made as though she would follow him,
but one of her admirers came forward
to claim her for the first dance. 'Music
has just begun in the ballroom, :" he
said She placed her hand on the arm
- l..
When the dance was over, she was
amazed to see Lord StansfordN still in
the room. She had expected him to
leave when the son of his host spoke SC
insultingly to him, but the young mar
had not departed. He appeared to be
enjoying himself immensely and danced
/ through every dance with the utmost
devotion. which rather put to shame
many OF the young men who loungec
against the walls. Never once, how
ever, did he come near Miss Linderhan
until the evening was we'll on, and
then he passed her by accident. Sht
touched him on the arm with her fan
, and he looked quickly around.
''Oh, how do you do, Miss Under
ham?" he said
why have you ignored me all tn,
EVENING"" she asked. looking at hin
with sparkling eyes.
II haven t ignored you, he replied
with some embarrassment. 81 did moi
know you Were here.
"Oh, that is worse than ignoringl'
replied Miss Linderham, with laugh
"But now that you know am here
wish you to take me into the garden
1t is becoming insufferably hot il
here"
!. Eyes" said the young man, getting
red in the face, sit is warm"
The girl could not help noticing hi
: reluctance, but nevertheless she tool
his arm, and they passed through sew
eral rooms to the terrace which faced
the garden. Lord Stansford's anxious
eyes again seemed to search the room
through which they passed, and again
on encountering those Of Billy Heckle
]. Miss Linderham's escort shiveret
slightly as he passed on. The girl won