The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-07-24
CHAPTER XVI.
An Unexpected Guest.

Lord Littimer returned. as he de-
clared, with the spirits and appetite OF
n schoolboy. All the same. he did rot
Tor one moment abandon his usual
critical analysis. He ratified on gaiiy.
but he was studying his guest all the
same. She might have been the typi-
cal American lady student; but he
was not blind 20 the fact that the plain
nusiin and lace frock she wore was
made in Paris, or that her manners and
style must have been picked up in the
best society. Che sat there under the
shaded lights and behind the bank of
flowers like as to the manner born, and
her accent was only sufficiently Ameri-
can to render her conversation piquant.
You have always been used TO this
class OF life7" Littimer asked.
There you are quite mistaken"
Chrisbel said. coolly. For the last
few years my existence has been any
thing but bed OF roses. And your re-
mark. my lord, savors slightly OF inn
pertinent curiosity. I might as well
ask you why your family is not here"
I'VE agreed to differ" Iittimer re-
sponded. 81 recollect IL caused me a
great deal OF annoyance at the time.
And my SON chose TO take his mothers
part. You knew had SOM"
Eyes" said christabel. without look
ing up from the peach she was peeling.
II have met him"
Indeed And what opinion did you
form Of my son. may / ask?"
II rather liked him. He seemed TO
me to be suffering from some great
trouble. and trouble am sure that was
not OF his own creating"
(which means to say you feel rather
Forry for Frank. But when you say
the trouble was not OF his own creating
SOU are entirely mistaken. 1t Is not a
nice thing to say. Miss Lee. but my son
was an utter and most unmitigated
young counlrel. II he came here. he
would be ordered out OF the house. SO
far as am concerned. have no son
at all. He sides with his mother. and
his mother has a. considerable private
fortune of her own Where she is at
present have no idea. Nor do I care.
Seems odd, does II not. that I should
have been very fond OF that woman at
one time. just as 1t seems odd to think
ahat I should have once been fond OF
kreacle tart?"
Iittimer spoke evenly and quietly.
with his eyes full upon the girl. He
was aece,ving himself, but he vas not
deceiving her for a moment. His cat
1ousness seemed TO be all the more
marked because the servants were in
the room. But Christabei could see
clearly what an effort 1t was.
.sYou love your wife STILL" she said,
no low that only Littimer heard. His
eyes flashed, and his face famed with
o sudden spasm OF passion.
"Are we to quarrel so early as thisf"
he whispered.
IT never quarrel" Christabel said,
coeiiy; 1T leave my antagonist 70 do
that But 1 have met your son. and !
like him. He may be weak. but he Is a
gentleman. You have made mistake,
end some day you will be sorry for IT,.
DO you grow these orchids yourself?'
Littiner laughed. with no sign of
anger remaining. All the same. Ciiist-
abel could see that his thin brown hand
tainty Somebody was climbing up
the Ivy 10 the window.
Leaning eagerly forward rhristabel
could hear the sound OF iabored breath
Ing. She seemed to see the outline Of
an arm outside. she could catch the
ueick rattle of the sash, she could all
most see a bent wire crooked through
the beaded edges OF the easement. Yes.
she was right. The window swung
noiselessiy back. and figure stood
poised on the ledge outside.
With quick breath ana fiuttering
= a. her neart christabel felt for the
switch
1T win be all right" she inursnured,
Dthe other one win fancy that the high,