The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-12-06

when he would have no other course
open to him but to exchange into a
regiment serving in India, and live on
his pay. So that, after all, what was
the good of his depending too much
on his uncle, who would, Ii his wife
happened to die, assuredly marry again
on the chance of having an heir who
would cut him out of his heritage?
All the same, Dick Alymer did not
think that there was the remotest
chance of his uncle's wife leaving the
way clear for a successor--her ladysh!p
was at least fifteen years younger than
her lord, and was a woman OF aggres-
sively good health. which she kept in
perfect order by living by line and
rule; and he reminded himself that
beyond stopping his allowance and
possibly having another heir. Lord
Aylmer was absolutely powerless to
leave one stick or stone away from
him-the property must go with the
title to the heir who was to follow
him.
A couple OF days went by. and Dick
Aylmer had almost forgotten his un-
cle's letter in the pleasure OF anticipa-
ton, and by the time he turned out or
the barrack gates, bound for Grave
leigh Hall to make his formal call up
on Dorothy Strode's aunt, he was in as
Onx on1 If0hfcnnA n mind aS h0 had
ever been in in all his life. And. oh!
by Jove, he reminded himself that he
had forgotten, or more correctly he had
never known, what the old lady's name
was. Dorothy had called her %"auntie."
and he had naturally said your aunt"
and he had come away without know
ing what her name and state were,
whether she was wife, widow or maid.
However, he did not let that trouble
him much, and he drove gayly along
between the sweet wild hedgerows, feel
ing as if the soft September air. just
tempered with a breeze off the sea,
was air Of an Arcadian land. and such
Objectionable persons as aristocratic re-
lations did not exist in all the world.
And then when he reached Grayeleigh,
the long struggling village street with
its quaint old-world shops and it's odd
little postofice, he pulled up the good
horse and stopped to make inquiries.
Can you tell me where Gravelelgh
Hall is?" he asked of a respectable
woman.
Why, yes, sir-you do go along that
road and take the first turn to the right
and then yo do come to it," she re-
piled.
"Ah, thanks. By-the-bye, what Is
the name of the lady who lives there"
he asked, carelessly.
Miss Dimsdale. she do live at the
Hall" the woman replied. and Miss
Dorothy, she do live with her"
Thank you very much" said Dick,
pleasantly.
The good woman watched him as he
drove along. Another of 'em after
Miss Dorothy she said to herself.
And Dick drove gaily along, getting
more n more light hearted as ne
went; for raj he not getting nearer
and nearer with every stride of old
Derby's legs to her? But he did not
get to the hall without being further
watched. Scarce was he past the end
of the village before he met David Ste
venson, wearing the light clothes and
CATERS Of a country gentleman who
looks after his own farming, and David
scowled at him m~urderously. Happily
Dick neither saw his rival nor his
black looks. and drove On. Ticking like
a schoolboy at the hedges as he passed.
Brutal in~terloper!" David growled
out between his strong teeth. as he
stood leaning over the gate, watching
the retreating dog-cart. Going there,
of course"
(To be continued.)