The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-01-31

eumed with gout-though, mind. he
declares stoutly that he hasn't had the
govt for more than three months-and
persisted in having the window open
all the way from Leicester. But as for
my health or any ones health but his
giving him a moments anxiety
why. the idea is ludicrous, simply lu-
dicrous. The gravest anxiety, indeed.
HIM! II / were lying at the point OF
death, his lordship might be anxious
till the breath was out of my body"
THAT was just what / said toto
myself." said Dick, who had been on
the very point of uttering his wife's
name. However, Lady Aylmer, l am
very glad to find that you are all right
and in good health"
Thank you. Dick" she replied,
holding out her hand to him; then, af-
ter a moments silence, she suddenly
burst out. Dick, what is he after?"
Lord Aylmer? l don't know" Dick
answered.
'He Is after something: I've known
II for weeks, but / cannot make out
what" Lady Aylmer e IN. First,
by his persistence that he has not got
the govt. / have been married to him
a great many years, but | " knew
him deliberately deny himself the
pleasure OF gloating over his govt be-
fore. He must mean something by 1t.
I thought, OF course she went on, with
a nonchalant air, that there was
somebody else. But his anxiety about
my health, and his desire to pack you
of TO India, where he knows you don't
want to go, make one think differently.
In any case, go to the library and see
him. and whatever you do, my dear
est boy, don't irritate him. Don't con-
tradict him; tell him at once that you
don't want to go to India-that is, if
you really don't want to do so; but IL
he insists, take my most serious adj
vice and temporize-put the time on
anyhow-tell him you must have a
week in which to consider the idea"
Eyes, I'll do that" said Dick, rising.
"Stay, we had better send to him
FIRST" said Lady Aylmer, touching the
button OF the bell. Yes. Jenkins,
tell Lord Aylmer that Mr.. Aylmer is
here and wishes to see him"
BEST to treat him in the imperial
way that satisfies him." said her lady
ship to Dick, as the man closed the
door behind him. II always do it when
I want to make him a little more hui
man than usual. l don't do it at other
times, because he is eminently a per-
son with whom familiarity breeds con-
tempt"
Dick laughed outright. VERY well,
I will be most careful" he replied;
then added, 'it's awfully good Of you
to give me a good tip out Of your ex-
perience. I have never been able to
hit 1t off with his lordship yet. Per-
haps l shall be more fortunate this
time"
"You may be. You know, of course,
Dick. that 1t was your steady refusal
to marry Mary Annandale that set
him so thoroughly against YOU"
Mary Annandale's money" correct
ed Dick.
"Ah! yes, it is the same thing"
carelessly.
But l don't believe Mary Annandale
would have had me-" Dick declared.
Perhaps not. Still, you never gave
her a chance, did you? Now. of course,
1t is too late"
Very much too late" returned
Dick. promptly, and grinning good
humoredly at the remembrance OF
how very much too late 1t was for
him to build up the fortunes of the
mouse Of Aylmer by means Of a rich
wife.
He turned as the door opened again.
His lordship will be pleased to see
you In the library, sir" said jenkins.
II will come" said Dick.
And good luck go with you,' said
Lady Aylmer, kindly, as he went.
Come back and tell me how you get
on"
Poor Dick, he did not get on very
well. He found Lord Aylmer sitting
in a big chair in the library, looking
ominously bland.
Good morning, sir" said Dick.
"Oh, good morning, Dick; sit down,
my boy" rejoined Lord Ayimer, quite
tenderly. O
Dick gave himself up for lost at
once, but he sat down and waited for
"the old savage" to go on with the