The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-12-03


boyish brightnessl A face full OF rec
titude and honor, of firm, though gen.
tie, resolve. A face with weil-cut
mouth. mirthful and sweet as wom-
ans. wit ha pair OF big. black. daunt-
less eyes, flashing and spirited.
For long time she looked at 1t In
sflence-looked at It as women look
at that which is dearest to them in
iife-with a reverence rife with pas
sion, and a calm, rigid and enforced.
"There!"
She turned suddenly away as she
spoke, with gesture that might al
most be called a wrench. so different
was It from her usual stately move
ments.
She began walking rapidly up and
down the room.
what news will he bring me?
There! am quite strong now--quite!
What is that cynical thought which has
been in.ruding itself OF late?--that we
are all fools, we women! Well, we
can keep our own secrets-thank God
Tor that"
Once she paused, and thrusting her
hand In her bosom drew forth CLEAN
ing object-a heavy, antique locket OF
dull gold.
Il was a gift that Give had brought
% his mother on the evening OF his
last home coming. Cynthia had found
It the morning after his departure
found II on the, floor OF the library.
where it had been flung the previous
evening in bitter anger.
She opened Il now and held II In the
full, soft candle light. She bent lit
s tie forward, and leaning her elbow on
the table, her head on her hand, looked
Tong and earnestly at the face 1t con-
tanned.
An older, stronger. graver face than
that which hung on the wall. A sweep
ing mustache shaded. but did not hide,
che fine lips. The clearly-defined feat
ures were decidedly handsome, the
dark. eager eyes hawk.like and spir-
tied.
4 What was that-a tear?
Miss Iennox started as that burning
drop fell upon her hand-started as
though 1t had stung her.
She clasped the locket hurriedly.
and tbrusting 1t In her bosom. recon-
menced her restless walk.
HarlSi The great iron knocker was
sounding a summons on the hall door.
A moment more, and she could hear
Mr. Bowers smooth tones In the corri-
DOR beyond.
present my compliments to Lady
f,.e Hor -
rival What! Miss Lennox desires TO
sec me? The last room? Very well!"
Cynthia was standing by the center
table when he entered--an erect, ex-
pectant. Quiet figure. She looked I'M
commonly tall as she stood Just now.
clad in a high-throated, long-waisted
gown of peculiar, soft, rich violet.
which fell TO the floor In flowing and
uubroken lines.
"Cood evening, Miss Lennox!" said
the man OF law, deferentially. though
his smile had lost much of its former
uuruffied serenity. "An unpleasant
evening, Is 1t not? Orr charming
weather could not last--a very I'M
pleasant EVENING""
Tho girl made faint. impatient mo-
tion with her hand.
THAT will do. Do not think me dis
courteous, but we cannot discuss the
weather now. Please shut the door"
And when he had done so she wheel
ed suddenly round and faced him, In
strong but restrained excitement.
Now" she cried-"quick--tel mel
Yon have heard--you have newsl
read It In your face. Where is he?--
how is he? Quickt"
l'ne words. the tone, the manner OF
fcverish eagerness. were so wholly
foreign to calm, naughty Cynthia Len
ncx That the person she addressed re.
garaed her a second in amaZement.
"well?" she prompted.
re lifted his head with an air OF sud-
den. dogged resolution. and looked her
full In che face. And this time he did
not try TO smile.
"wail, suppose II Is no use trying
20 break things to YOU" he said, slow
IL. You are right have news! What
81 more-I have bad newss" He paused
. moment.
Go on!"
He glanced up at her half-timidly.
T!et lofty. imperial presence seemed
90 dwarf the little lawyer mentally as
well as physically.
"For weeks I worked conscientiously
and necessarily, and absolutely with
oct success. could discover no clue,
m trace, no guide to Sir Give CARING
toms whereabouts. l had decided to
come down and tell you must throw
up the case. when, providentially and
without any effort whatsoever on my
mart. that which | had been striving
20 eiucidate was all at once made
clear to me-"
SOb, stop!" Cynthia cried, with a
fierce explosion Of her meager stock of
rationce. "you are not telling me
anything. How is he?--where In he?
want facts--something tangible.
words. words. words,'"
Little she guessed the worstI
He would tell her gently. he would
s,repsre her, despite herself
He looked up, with certain dignity
~ expression on his countenance.