The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-07-17
over the family, Lord 1ittimer ala not

little sharper. The servants could
| have told a different story, story OF
dark moods and days when the bitter
ness OF the shadow of death lay on
their master. Few men could carry
their grief better, and because Ltti-
mer carried his grief so well he sur
fered the more. We shall see what
that sorrow was In time.
There are few more beautiful places
in England than Iittimer Castle. The
house stood on kind OF natural plat
eau, with many woods behind, trout
stream ran clean past the big flight OF
steps leading TO the hall. below were
terrace after terrace nf hanging gar
dens. and TO the left a slopipg. ragged
drop OF two hundred feet into the sea.
To the left lay a magnificently-tim-
bered park with a herd OF real wild
deer-perhaps the only herd of the kind
In the country. When the sun shone
on the gray walls they looked as II
they had been painted by some cum
ming hand, so softly were the grays,
reds and blues blended.
Inside the place was veritable art
gallery. There were hundreds OF pic
tures and engravings there. All around
the grand staircase ran a long. deep
corridor. filled with pictures. There
were alcoves here fitted UP as sitting
rooms. and m most Of them some gem
or another was hung. When the full
food Of electric light was turned on at
night the effect was almost dazzling.
There were few pictures in the gallery
without history.
Lord LittimAr had many hobbies, but
not one that interested him like this
There were hundreds OF rare birds shot
by him In different parts of the world;
the corridors and floors were covered
by skins the spoil OF his rife: here and
there a stuffed bear pranced startling
ly: but the pictures and prints were
the great amusements OF his lordship's
lonely life
He passed along the corridor now
towards the great oriel window at the
end. A brilliant sunlight filled the
place with shafts OF golden and blue
and purple. as 1t filtered through the
stained glass. At a table in the win
dew n girl sat working a typewriter.
She might have passed for beautiful.
only her hair was banded down in hid
Puritan fashion on each side OF
iCI utiitdlNs oval ldtts anu utT eyes
were shielded by spectacles But they
were lovely, steady, courageous blue
eyes. az Littimer did not fail to OBJ
serve. Also. he had not failed to note
that his new secretary could do very
well without the glasses.
The typewriter and secretary bust
ness was a new within of Littimer's.
He wanted an assistant to catalogue
and classify his pictures and prints,
and ne had told the vicar so. He want
ed girl who wasn't a fool. a girl who
could amuse him and wouldn't be
afraid OF Inn, and ne thought he would
have an American. To which the vi
EAR respon led that the whole thing
was nonsense, but he had heard OF a
Boston girl in England who had a pas
sion for that kind OF thing, and who
was looking for a situation OF the kind
N a genuine old house for a year or
go. The vicar added that he had not |
seen the young lady, but he could OBJ !
ain her address. A reply came in due |
course. a reply that so pleased the i'm |
petuous earl that he engaged the APP |
plicant on the spot. And now she had |
been just, two hours in the house.
well" Iittimer cried. land how !
have you been getting on?"
Miss Cristabel Lee looked up, smil- |
ngly.
'T am getting on very well, indeed"
she said. "You see. I have made a |
study of this kind of thing all my life |
lime and most of your pictures are
ike old friends to me. Do you know, |
'arcy that you and / are going to man
pe very we'll together?"
"Oh. do you? They say I am pretty
formidable at times"
IT shan't mind that a bit. You see.
ny father was a man with a villainous
emper. But a woman can always get
he better Of a bad-tempered man. UNI
ess he happens to be one OF the lower
lass who uses his boots. II he is a
gentleman you have him entirely at
'our mercy. Have you a sharp tongue?"
II flatter myself that can be pretty
,listering on occasions" Littimer saiu,
;rimly.
How delightful! So canI. You and
will have some famous battles later
m. Only warn you that I never lose
ny temper, which gives me a tremen-
lous advantage. I haven't been very
veil lately, so you must be nice TO me
OF "A WEEK OF LWOs
Littlmer smiled and nodded. The
rim lord of the castle was not accus-
omed to this kind OF thing. and he was
cling himself that he rather liked IT.
And now show me the Rembrandt"
Hiss Lee said, impatiently.
Littimer led the way TO distant al
owe, lighted from the side by a lat
iced window. There was only one pic
ure IN the excellent light there, and
hat was the famous Rembrandt en-
raving. Littimer's eyes lighted up
ovingly as they rested upon 1t. The
frame was hung so low that
Iiss Lee could bring her face on lev
with Il.
This Is the picture that was stolen
rom your" she asked.
Yes, that's the thing that there was
II the fuss about. It made a great
tr at the time. But don't expect
hat IL will happen again"
why not2" Miss Lee asked. When
n attempt OF that sort is made II is
sually followed by another. sometimes
fter the lapse OF years. Anybody get
Ing through that window could easily
ct the frame from It's two nails and
AXE out the paper"
do you think sof" Littiner asked,
neasily.
st am certain OF Il. Take my ad-
ice and make II secure. The panels
ehind are hard wood-thick black oak.
ord Iitt!mer, I am going to get four |