The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-12-27

40 oA01ld not Join in the hunt that
GosoaSl Hungerford had arranged.
Wh1k vas the matter? Lady Caraven
va. a usual, bright. beautiful and
1EacaeG: but those who knew her best
s4w that she was engrossed by some
thaRalat.
Tho earl rang for his footman.
Wkea Mr.. Blantyre comes, show
Afn into my study" he said; aud then
40 went over to his wife. "You do not
aes nervous At the task you have un-
dsrtaksa." he questioned.
No." she replied, calmly, "but
sAney that Mr.. Blantyre will feel ner-
vaen before we have done with him"
Ths earl smiled. If this trusted SER
want Of his had deceived him. the
sooner he was unmarked and punished
tho better.
Il think" said Lady Caraven, cit
would be quite as well if we looked
ovsG that balance sheet before Mr..
HsnntyEe comes-lt will shorten the in
eeIvteW."
He aequiesced at once, and followed
~ VIZ % tho study.
M went to the table, and took her
ssa1 Her husband stood at some dis
tanos from her. Silently she bent her
AeaA ovsr the papers.
Xea have seldom. suppose. looked
ovsr oas Of these balance Sheets" she
safA b the earl.
NO" Ae replied, II do not remember
that have ever examined one"
Then will look over them" she
szid, quietly. Before long she added,
WITH you look at this, Lord Caraven?
Al this is quito wrong-several en-
tEies are incorrect, and the reckoning
IL fhlsined."
The earl was slightly embarrassed.
II % not think, to tell you the truth,
Mildred. that am very clever at &C
osH1ts," he stammered.
But surely you can SEQ whether this
. correct? Believe me, child could
ses it,
Then am not SO wise even as a
sAisd." he said, ruefully; but, leaning
svef her shoulder, he tried to under
Aand what she said.
Et was indeed easy enough-the
whole sheet, as she pointed out, had
fsean got up to meet the eye.
And you have never noticed this?"
said the young countess.
mo. indeed" he replied, 81 have
never even thought of it."
Then you have been a very easy
master to please she remarked. ST
need hardly say, Lord Caraven, that
'stae maa who falsiies his accounts is
rogue. You know it."
II know that much. am afraid to
taSnk 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 we're interrupted by the en-
trance Of the agent himself-the man
whom from his face Lady Caraven sus-
pseted from the first of being dishon-
est
SoEs B1antyre was a,tall, gentleman
fy Eoo&iag man of specious manner and
good address. A rogue from liking as
much OBJ anything else, he would not
nave cared to be honest if he could.
lie had contrived to ingratiate himself
into the favor Of Lord Caraven from
the conviction that he could do as he
hked With the easy, indolent, pleasure
loving nobleman. He had done so.
The result was irretrievable confusion.
Eohn Bantyre had laid aside fair for
tune for himself
~Lst the worst GOMEZ he said to
himself; elf am caught there will be
oaly q few years. imprisonment; then
Z can go abroad and enjoy my saw
fagH"
Yet he relied implicitly upon his
good fortune that he should not be
caught
He entered the room smiling, with
his usual bland, obsequious manner.
His face changed when he saw the
Countess of Carayen looking over his
balance sheets. The earl pointed to
. eA1ir; the detected thief sat down.
The young countess eyes were rails
- - tie bland face of the agent; they
sss0ed to burn him. The earl left
1Ae discussion to her, as he had said
- WouiA- Words could not have ex-
DrssssA the proud, cold contempt OF her
nee - she spoke to him:
Yoa are well aware, Mr.. Blantyre,
l1alat tkis ba1ance sheet is worth moth
1hgf The accounts are all falsified.' .
m not aware Of anything Of the
-, your iadyship. There may be a
- nastakes-it was hurriedly made
- MaS ! ask permission to
Isa may ask nothing, SIR" she re-
49, oartly. Tell Lord Caraven Il Il
- cssnset that you have taken q bribe
- asas ons who &xant4 Bromhill
- = brsbs 70 turn cut ~ old ten.