Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-05-23

room. p
The rest of the party had already as
sembled. and the meal shared the bril-
liancy which Mr.. Grant had lent the
dinner of the evening previous.
Three days only TO Christmas he
explained. "Since Mr.. Chester insists
upon my acceptance OF his hospitality.
I propose tina we all resolve ourselves
into O. party Of children and have an
old-sashioned Christmas tree. / am
Obliged to go to the city to-day, and
will undertake any commissions. The
tree Itself we will ask Mr.. Chester's
gardener to provide us with"
Quite a charming idea, they all
agreed.
All began an active preparation OF
lists. All save Beatrice.
When Mr.. Grant had received those
from the rest of the party he APP
out Of the window.
"You have no commissions for me-
Miss Markham" he asked.
"None!" she answered. There Is no
season of the year so full Of mockery
to me as this. And yet, n year ago
only one little year ago-I was so hap
py!'
The latter sentence she spoke to her
self, rather than to him.
poor child!" he murmured.
She turned. Something in his tone
caused her heart 10 beat madly, her
pulses to thrill. The color flushed her
cheek-a new light leaped into her eye;
but she found herself looking into a
cold, impressive face-a face bronZed
and swarthy in hue-a face without
one familiar sign or trace. Was she
going mad that the silence spoke to
her, and in every strangers voice she
fancied she could detect some familiar
ring?
But one other had caught the light
and gladness that short-lived hope had
sent into her face. Miss Lorrimer saw
and wondered. What could 1t meanF
A few minutes later the carriage
drove up which was to take Mr.. Grant
to the depot.
II would accompany you" said his
host, as he walked with him to the
door. but important business detains
me here to-day. I wish, Mr.. Grant, l
might ask a little service at your
hands, aside from the regular commits
sions you have kindly volunteered to
perform. ] wish two detective officers
to come down by the evening train. in
the character of two stablemen. Tyr
reIl viii assign them rooms in the gar
dener's house, and they shall be thor
oughIy comfortable, for I want the
best men. Don't let this alarm you;
but the fact IS. 7 have discovered some
dishonesty among my servants, and I
with to ferret II out"
az viii attend to IT with pleasure"
responded Mr.. Grant.
But he looked serious to severity as
he descended the steps TO the carriage.
The lodge gates stood open. but be-
side them was standing an old mar.
He respectfully uncovered his head
as the carriage passed.
How it happened was not easily ex-
planned. but most awkwardly. I'm lean.
ing out of the window, probably to
look back over the sweep OF the drive,
Mr.. Grants fur cap was blown Off by a
sudden gust Of wind from his head.
The old man picked ii up and ran as
asst as his feeble strength would per-
NIT after the carriage, which Grant
had ordered to stop.
AS he took the hat he slipped SONS
coin into the old, trembling hand.
Thank We. sir" muttered the rectp-
lent. and tottered off.
His further actions, however, were.
very strange. Not once did his fingers
unclasp which held his gift, Not once
did he glance within to estimate its
value. Very tightly he held it as he
made his way back to the lodge, and,
entering, carefully closed the door be-
hind him.
Then he cast a cautious, wary glance
about. to make sure that he was alone,
and then unclasped his hand.
True, within it lay a coin; but about
the coin was wrapped a paper, and on
the paper were written characters.
1t almost seemed as If the loss of the
hat had been premeditated for the pun
pose OF offering the gift.
Corspicuously protruding from the
pocket of his ragged coat were a pair
OF spectacles. But he made no use OF
them, as from under his shaggy brows,
his quick sight glanced downward:
"Take care. You are suspected"
He chuckled as he read. then thrust
the tell-tale slip into the fire.
AS it famed up Tyrrel opened the
door and entered.
Can We find nothing to do outside,
that We sit huggin' the fire." he asked.
There's a pile of wood there I'd like
We to bring in. For my part, I'm going
to take a little comfort"
And he reached for a bottle of spir-
its from a shelf neal at hand.
I'D o mind a drop TO warm my
w bones" said the old man.
Your work1l warm 'em. Go to it,"
commanded the ex-groom.
at does me good to set him at it,"
he muttered to himself, as, obediently,
the old mar left the room. II owe him
a grudge; but I wish as Miss Beatrice
didn't care for him. Gad!-what eyes
she has! They look into a fellows
soull-as If such a man as myself had
a SOUL Well, here's to II and her,"
and he too a long pull at the bottle.
"Td like to tell her the truth. I'd like
to see how she'd look: I'd like to see
his head brought low; but it's true he's
got the moose about mine. I don't dare
Il don't dare!' and again the contents
of the bottle ~perceptibly diminished.
"Ah. there she is now" ne added as
he saw his young mistress approach
ing the old man at his work.