The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-10-17

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~ss sasst 1n'' I nea5p Da ,a 's eha'.
lenge to a billiard
match. He had distinctly stated that
he should not join in the hunt that
Colonel Hungerford had arranged.
What was the matter? Lady Caraven
was, as usual, bright, beautiful and
graceful; but those who knew her best
saw that she was engrossed by some
thought.
The earl rang for his footman.
when Mr.. Blantyre comes, show
him into my study" he said and then
he went over to his wife. You do not
feel nervous at the task you have un-
dertaken?" he questioned.
NO." she replied, calmly, but
fancy that Mr.. Blantyre will feel ner-
vous before we have done with him..
The earl smiled. II this trusted SER
want of his had deceived him, the
sooner he was unmasked and punished
the better.
II think" said Lady Caraven, cit
would be quite as well II we looked
over that balance sheet before Mr..
Blantyre comes--it will shorten the in
tervsew."
He acquiesced at once, and followed
his wife to the study.
She went to the table, and took her
seat. Her husband stood at some dis
lance from her. Silently she bent her
head over the papers.
you have seldom, suppose, looked
over one of these balance Sheets" sh.
said to the earl.
NO." he replied, 81 do not remember
that have ever examined one"
Then will look over them" she
said, quietly. Before long she added,
will you look at this, Lord Caraven?
All this is quite wrong several en-
tries are incorrect, and the reckoning
liz falsified."
The earl was slightly embarrassed.
IT do not think. to tell you the truth,
Hildred, that / am very clever at ac-
counts" he stammered.
'But surely you can see whether this
is correct? Believe me, a child could
see It,"
Then I am not so wise even as a
child he said, ruefully; but. leaning
over her shoulder, he tried to under
stand what she said.
1t was indeed easy enough--the
whole sheet, as she pointed out, had
been got up to meet the eye.
And you have never noticed this?'
said the young countess.
''No, indeed" he replied, II have
never even thought OF It,"
"Then you have been a very easy
master to please she remarked. 81
need hardly say. Lord Caraven, that
the man who falsifies his accounts is a
rogue. You know It,"
81 know that much. / am afraid to
think whether all the balance sheets
he has prepared since he has been my
agent have been like this"
"You have never looked into one,
imagine"
"No, never"
They were interrupted by the en-
trance Of the agent himself--the mar
whom from his face Lady Caraven sus
pected from the first of being dishon.
est.
John Blantyre was a tall. gentleman
ny looking man Of specious manner and
good address. A rogue from liking as
much as anything else, he would MOI
have cared to be honest IL he could
He had contrived TO ingratiate himsel
into the favor of Lord Caraven from
the conviction that he could do as hf
liked with the easy, indolent, pleasure
loving nobleman. He had done so
The result was irretrieyable confusion
John Blantyre had laid aside fair for
tune for himself
LET the worst come" he. said Il
himself; "if am caught there will b.
only few years Imprisonment; the.
i can go abroad and enjoy my saw
ings."
Yet he relied implicitly upon hi
good fortune that he should not b,
caught.
He entered the room smiling, Will
his usual bland. obsequious manner
- face changed when he saw tn,
eCountess of Caraven looking over hi
alance sheets. The earl pointed Il
= chair; the detected thief sat down
The young countess eyes were ra's
ed to the bland face of the agent; the,
seemed to burn him. The earl lef