The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-06-01
and n touch i. liable to cau.e mo

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and any touch Is liable to cause mo
acute pain"
Mr.. Chester's brow cleared, and to-
gether, the men entered the breakfast
room.
The rest Of the party had already as
sembled. and the meal shared the brill
liancy which Mr.. Grant had lent the
dinner of the evening previous.
Three days only to Christmas" hi
explained. "Since Mr.. Chester insists
upon my acceptance Of his hospitality,
I propose hat we all resolve ourselves
old-fashioned Christmas tree. I am
will undertake any commissions. The
tree itself we will ask Mr.. Chester's
gardener to provide us with"
"Quite q charming idea, they all
agreed. ,s =
All began an active preparation Of
lists. All save Beatrice.
When Mr.. Grant had received those
from the rest of the party he ap-
preached her, where she stood gazing
out of the window.
You have no commissions for me-"
Miss Markham" he asked.
Monet she answered. There is no
season Of the year &c full of mockery
to me as this. And yet, one year ago
only one little year ago-I was SO hap
py!"
The latter sentence she spoke to her
self. rather than to him.
Poor child" he murmured.
She turned. Something in his tone
caused her heart to beat madly, her
pulses to thrill. The color flushed her
cheek-a new light leaped into her eye.
but she found herself looking into a
cold, impassive face-a face bronzed
and swarthy in hue-a face without
familiar sign or trace. Wa she
going mad that the silence spoke to
her, and in every strangers voice she
fancied she could detect some familiar
ring? '#
But one other had caught the light
and gladness that short-lived hope had
sent into her face. Miss Lorrimer saw
and wondered. What could it mean:
A few minutes later the carriage
drove up which was to take MI. Grant
to the depot.
IT would accompany you." said his
host, as he walked with him to the
door, "but important business detains
me here to-day. I wish, Mr.. Grant, 1
might ask a little service at your
hands, aside from the regular commits
sions you have kindly volunteered to
perform. I wish two detective officers
to come down by the evening train. In
the character of two stablemen. Tyr
rell will assign them rooms in the gar
dener's house, and they shall be thor
oughly comfortable, for I want the
best men. Don't let this alarm you;
but the fact is, / have. discovered some
dishonesty among my servants, and 1
with to ferret it out" W.
"I will attend to It with pleasure"
responded MI. Grant. 7
But he looked serious to severity a.
he descended the steps to the carriage.
The lodge gates stood open, but be-
side them was standing an old man.
He respectfully uncovered his head
as the carriage passed. !.
How it happened was not easily ex-
planned, but most awkwardly, In lean.
ing out Of the window. probably to
look back over the sweep OF he drive.
Mr.. Grants fur cap was blown on by q
sudden gust At wind from his head.
The old man picked 1t up and ran 40
fast as his feeble strength would per
NIT after the carriage; which a
had ordered to stop. 'a
AS he took the hat he slipped some
coin irto the old, trembling hand.
THANK We. sir!" muttered the recfp.
lent. and tottered of.
His further actions however, were'
very strange. Not once did his hngero
unclasp which held his gift. Not once
did he glance within to estimate It's
value. Very tightly he held 1t as no
made his way back to the lodge, and,
entering, carefully closed the door be"
hind him.
Then he cast a cautious, wary glance
about, to make sure that he was alone,
and then unclasped his hand.
True, within it lay a coin; but about
the coin was wrapped a paper, and on
the paper were written characters.
It almost seemed as il h loss of the
hat had been premeditated for the pur-
pose of offering the gift.
Conspicuously protruding from the
pocket of his ragged coat were q pair
Of spectacles. But he made no use OF
them, as from under his shaggy brows.
his quick sight glanced downward:
stake care! You are suspected"
He chuckled as he read. then thrust
the tell-tale slip into the fire.
AS It famed up Tyrre1 opened the
door and entered.
"Can We find nothing to do outside.
h a We sit huggin' the fire?" he asked.
there's a pile of wood there I'd like
We to bring in. For my part, I'm goins
to take a little comfort"
And he reached for a bottle OF spir--
Its from. a shelf near at hand.
..I'd not mind 4 drop to warm my
w bones,' said the old a !.
your work'll raj 'em. Go to 7lt!'
commanded the ex-groom.
SIT does me good to set him ct it!'
he muttered to himself, as. obedfently
the old man left the room II " him
q grudge; but I wish as Miss Beatrice
didn't care for him. ~cd!-what eye
She has! They look int D. fellows
sonl!-as II such a man AZ myself had
q soul! Well, here's to It and her."
and he took a long pull at the bottle
Cpd like to tell her the truth. "a INK
to zee how she'd look; I'd like 70 SEE
his head brought low; but it's true he'i
got the moose about mine. I don't e
II don't dare!'. and again the contents
Of the bottle perceptfbly diminished