The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1901-10-18

OVGEt A<Olu am . SANA
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 rel to his wife. You do not
feel nervous at the task you have un-
dertaken?" he questioned.
NO" she replied, calmly, but l
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 unmarked and punished
the better.
:" think" said Lady Caraven, ut
would be quite as well II we looked
over that balance sheet before Mr..
Blantyre comes-it will shorten the in
terview."
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, I suppose, looked
0vor ono ~ <hoco balance choo<c - cho
said to the earl.
NO." he replied. II do not remember
that / have ever examined one."
Then / will look over Them" she
said, quietly. Before long she added,
win you look at this. Lord Caraven?
All this is quite wrong-several n
tries are incorrect, and the reckoning
is falsifed."
The earl was slightly embarrassed.
II do not think, to tell you the truth.
Hildred, that I am very clever at &C.
counts" he stammered.
"But surely you can see whether this
ID correct! Believe me, q 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.
It was indeed easy enough-the
whole sheet, as she pointed out, had
been got up to meet the eye.
And you have eve noticed this?"
said the young countess.
mo, indeed" he replied, II have
never even thought Of It,"
Then You have been a very easy
master to please she remarked. II
need hardly say, Lord Caraven, that
the man who falsifies his accounts is a
rogue. You know It."
II know that much. I am afraid to
think whether all the balance sheets
he has prepared since he has been my
agent have been like this"
"You have looked into one. /
imagine"
mo. never
They were interrupted by the en-
trance Of the agent himself-the man
whom from his face Lady Caraven sus-
pected from the first of being dishon-
est.
John Blantyre was q tall, gentleman
ly looking man OF specious manner and
good address. A rogue from liking as
much as anything else, he would not
have cared to be honest IL he could.
He had contrived to ingratiate himself
into the favor Of Lord Caraven from
the conviction that he could do as he
liked with the easy. indolent, pleasure
loving n0bleman. He had done so.
The result was irretrievable confusion.
John Blantyre had laid aside q fair for
tune for himself.
LET the worst come." he said to
himself; 'if I am caught there will be
only I few years imprisonment; then
l can 50 abroad and enjoy my saw
ings."
Yet he relied implicitly upon his
good fortune that he should not be
caught.
He entered the oom smiling. with
his usual bland, obsequions n
His face changed when he saw the
Countess Of Caraven looking over his
balance sheets. The earl pointed to
! chair; the detected thief sat down.
The young countess eyes were rails
Cd TO the bland face of the agent: they
seemed to burn him. The earl left
the discussion to her. ~ he had said
he would. Words could not have ex-
pressed the proud, cold contempt Of her
face q she spoke to him.
You are we'll aware, Mr.. Blantyre,
that this balance sheet II worth moth
ings The accounts ars all falsifed."
II An not aware Of anything OF the
kind. your !adyship. There may be q
81 s~satstsAkes-it was hurriedly made
Oet. May ! ask permission to"
ssYou may ask nothing. SIR. she re-
MD. cuftly. Tell Lord Caraven IL II
T. cckrect that you have taken ! bride
from oome one who wants Bromhill
fasn-s hribs - turn ont the old ten