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

inscribed a name strange to him-Mr.
William Grant.
rs it a gentleman, Edward?" h.
asked.
"Yes, sir" answered the man.
Then invite him into this room. !
will see him here
But when, a few moments later, the
butler ushered him into the room, his
appearance, like the card, was wholly
unknown.
He paused on the threshold; then
advancing, bowed with the easy grace
and self-possession of one familiar with
the world.
Il must beg you to pardon my in
%trusion, Mr.. Chester he said, courte-
ousiy; but / had the pleasure OF meet
Ing your cousin many years ago., when i
was comparatively a boy, and, indeed,
Travelled with him in company with my
father. during several months In italy.
Soon after our little party separated we
learned, to our great surprise, that your
cousin had married. and returned to
this country with his wife. He CORE
sponded with my father for many
years-indeed, until the ~latter's death.
which preceded Mr.. Markham's five
years. He always expressed the most
earnest desire that we should see Grey
Oaks. AT the time of my fathers death
we We're about returning t. America;
but after that unlooked-for and unhap-
by obstacle, / was detained in settling
up his affairs. j should tell you hat he
held q diplomatic position under our
government for so many years that,
now that l am once more in my own
native country. / feel a stranger in "a,
own land. However, on at last reach
Ing here, my thoughts naturally revert
ed TO Mr. Markham. / learned that he
was dead, and that you, Mr.. Chester.
were master at Grey Ooks. VIII! you
pardon me that / ventured to redeem,
my promise. though / could no longer
do so to him to whom 1 made it?"
With a keen glance, MIR. Chester had
measured the stranger during this some
what long, though rapidly-uttered
speech.
The mans voice, appearance
manne betokened him high-bred. II
wa difficult to determine his age, as ne
wore a short, thick, black beard, cut in
English style. His hair was also jetty
IN hue, and his chin somewhat swarthy;
his teeth were very white and even,
and, as he wore no mustache, they
showed to greater perfection. A scarce
iy perceptible foreign accent, too, was
apparent in his tone.
Ere he had finished speaking Ran
slolph had determined on his course.
III, indeed, this stranger vas so famil-
Tar with his cousins early life, he might
learn just what information he pos
sessed, and deal with facts accordingly.
Cautiously he outstretched his hand.
ALLOW me- he said, mot only to
welcome you to Grey Oaks, but to claim
you as my guest. ] am. indeed, master
here. Mr.. Grant; but the fact gives me
no pleasure. You spoke, a moment ago,
of my cousins marriage. Do you know
any of the particulars concerning it?'
None, excepting that we heard 1t
was a highly-romantic affair"
Romantic, indeed! The truth Is, my
Hear Mr.. Grant, it was no marriage at
all. The lady in question already had
a living husband. This fact transpired
pnly since my cousins death, but his
daughter, on learning the truth--a most
beautiful girl, to whom / was engaged
10 be married-lost her reason. She Is
under my roof. and, I need not add, has
every care; but I fear, poor girl. her re-
eovery is impossible. Pardon my con-
adence, but your old friendship with my
cousin I felt entitled you to 1T. You are
pale, Mr.. Grant. Are you mr.
"A sudden faintness, only" replied
The tranger II hate to confess such
weakness. Mr.. Chester, but through my
own family runs a vein Of insanity, and
the thought of as~sociating with any one
whose reason is impaired robs me OF all
my strength. Yet the picture 9
49, A. ed ana pftff,,1 indeed il can
the more truly sympathize with 1t and
you because of my fatal inheritance
an inheritance which explains why !
have never married, why I shall never
marry"
He sighed deeply and bowed his head.
Chester grasped and pressed his hand
.sMy dear fellow, you look on IL too Sc
riously." he said. "But you Will see
hut little of Miss Markham. She rare
w leaves her own apartments. The
most singular form her madness take
IS her aversion to me, whom she once
so fondly loved"
Indeed, How Is that possible?"
ar cannot understand, except that
they tell me that II is one of the COM
morest forms which madness takes
ST believe IL isl believe ii is" as
scented the other.
And when Chester spoke again ne
seemed to rouse himself by an effort
form the dependency into which the
gloomy thought had plunged him.
But at dinner that night-for his con-
sent to a few days s~ojourn had finally
been obtained, with only natural re-
luctant distrust at his intrusion-he
proved a most brilliant and welcome
addition to the little party.
His seat was next Miss Lorrimer, n
she IL was whom he honored by his
most brilliant sallies and most Impress
I've %giances.
Beatrice ne scarcely addressed-in-
deed. rarely glanced toward her. Miss
Lorrlmer's beauty seemed 70 have
blinded him 10 any other charms.
Perhaps he may pique Allen into the
discovery that Miss Markham's pale
ioveliness may not dazzle all eyes" she
thought.
And even the thought sent the flush
20 her cheek and added sparkle to her
eyes and words.
1t was a strange relief to all to a
- 49, at tie hAar1