The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-07-24

Now, I guess the fat Is In the fire."
| Christabel said
Henson dropped into a chair ana
| groaned. Lord Littimer. elegantly at
| tired In a suit Of silk pyjamas and car
rying revolver in his hand, came cool
ly down the corridor. A curious ser
want or two would have followed, but
he waved them back, crisply.
Miss Lee" he said, with faint, sar-
castle emphasis. land my dear friend
and relative, Reginald HCi son-Regi-
Maid, the future owner of Llttimer
| Castle'l'
l. 80 he told me. but wouldn't believs
him." said Christabel.
1T is a cynical age" Littimer re-
! marked. Reginald. what does this
| mean2"
Henson shook his head III easily.
THE young lady insisted on taking
me for a burglar" ne groaned.
And why not?" Christabel demand
I'D. II was just going to bed when
heard voices In the fore court below
and footsteps creeping along. 1 came
into the corridor with my revolver.
Presently, one of the men climbed up
the ivy and got into the corridor. l
covered him with my revolver and fair
" drove him into bed room ana
locked him in"
so you killed with both barrels
Iittimer cried, with infinite enjoyment.
"Then the other one came. He came
to steal the Rembrandt"
Nothing OF the kind" the wretched
Henson cried. Il came to give you
lesson, Lord L.ittimer My idea was TO
get in through the window, steal the
Rembrandt. and when you had missed
ii. confess the whole story. My charac.
ter is safe"
"Giddy." Littimer said, reproaChful-
". You are so young. so boyish, so
buoyant, Reginald. What would your
ruture constituents have said had they
seen you creeping up the ivy? They
are a grave people, who take themselves
seriously. Egad, this would be a love-
Iy story for one of those prying society
papers, The Philanthropist and the
Picture I've a good mind to send 1t
to the press myself"
Littimer sat down and laughed with
pure enjoyment.
And where is the other partridge"
ne asked, presently.
Christabel seemed to hesitate for a
moment. Her sense of humor of the
situation had departed. Her hand shook
as she turned the key in the door.
II am afraid you are going 10 have
an unpleasant surprise" Henson said.
! IAttimer glanced keenly at the speak
| err. All the laughter died out of his
| eyes, his face grew set and stern as
| Frank Littimer emerged into the light.
And what are you doing here?' he
asked. hoarsely What do you expect
to gain by taking part in a FOOLS trick
like this? Did 1 not tell you never to
show your face here again?"
The young man said nothing. He
stood there looking down, logged, quiz
ct, like one tongIe-tied. Littimer thun-
dered out his question again. He
crossed over. laying his hands on his
sons shoulders and shaking him as a
terrier might shake rat.
Did you come for anything" he de-
manded. Did you expect any mercy
from"
Frank Littimer shook off his grasp
gently. He looked up for the first time
IT expected nothing" he said. Il
did not come OF my own free will. I am
silent now, for the sake of myself and
| others. But the time may come--God
knows 1t has been long delayed. For
the present, 1 am bound in honor to
| hold my tongue"
| He flashed one little glance at Hen
4 son, a long, angry glance. Littimer
! cooked from one to the other in hesita-
| ton for moment. The hard lines be-
| tween his brows softened.
| Perhaps am wrong" he muttered.
| Perhaps there has been a mistake
| somewhere And II I ever find out
| have-pshaw am talking like a sent
! mental schoolgirl. Have / not had
| evidence strong as proof Of Holy Writ?
| Get out of my sight Your presence an
gers me! Go, and never let me see you
| egain! Reginald, you were fool to
| bring that boy here tonight! See him
off the premis IS and fasten the door
again"
Surely" Christabel interfered, sure
| ly, at this time of night"
| you should be in bed Littimer said,
| tartly. "My dear young lady. IL You
| and are to remain friends. I must ask
you to mind your own business. 1t is
dreadfully difficult thing for a woman
to do, but you must try. You UNDER
| stand?"
Christabel was evidently putting a
| StfOng cOnSlTalnl upon ueT tongue, DuN
she merely bowed and said nothing.
she had her own good reasons for the
diplomacy of siltnce. Henson and Frank
Iittimer were disappearing in the di-
rection of the staircase.
81 say nothing Christabel said.
But. at the same time, don't fancy 1
shah care very much for your distin-
giIished friend. Reginald Henson"
7 IA Al 10 al hrNYf arNTr
Stoned to have returned to him Only
the dark lines under his eyes were ac-
ctntuated.
"a Shiny, fawning hound" he whis-
pered. "a mean fellow. And the best
OF II IL that he imagines that I hold the
highest regard for him. Goodnight"
/ CHAPTER XVIII.