The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-12-10
"He VIII Never Come Back Again

reached the landing above.
why, what is II. dear?"
All around them was the sound Of
friendly voices in happy jest and
laughing goodnight.
She Laid her hand on Lady Caring
tons arm with light. Impatient
touch.
"Come into my room!" she reiterat
ed, almost fiercely. Il cannot tell you
here!"
her own apartments and together they
passed In, shutting 1t behind them.
A subdued, rosy light reigned in the
orgeously-colored room, ani showed
1t an ideal nest of beauty, with its
deep, rich rugs and luxurious chairs
and dainty pictures and pallid statu.
sites, and bed like fieecy snowdrift.
"Cyrthla. child, what made you wear
such sad-hued dress tonight" my
lady asked, cheerily, walking over to
the many-lustered chandelier and turn.
ing up the light till it flooded the room
with radiance.
But the girl standing by the great
carved mantel only looked at her with
face from which every particle OF
color had faded. and answered never a
word.
"And now, dear" went on Lady Car
rington, oblivious OF her friends 81.
ience. and coming slowly back across
the floor, her rich satin de Lyon sweep
ing behind her. what Is the object OF
the mysterious conference for which
you enticed me In here to-night?"
She ensconced herself In the warm
depths of puffy chair, and looked up
at her yis-a-vis- looked up for the first
time, and started erect from her seat
with an exclamation OF alarm.
Cynthia. my dear. you are ill--you
are faint! cit down! Why. my child,
you are as white as paper,"
moi" with an emphatic shake of the
head. II am only little-a little
faint You sit DOWN.
She obeyed meekly. as she, with all
proud resolution and exactitude. al.
ways obeyed Cynthia Lennox when she
spoke In that tone
: "Wellf" she said.
wait a moment. am not quite my
self yet"
She turned away and walked rapid.
iy up and down the room once. twice.
Then she went hastily over to long
French window which opened on q
veranda, and, pushing it wide, stepped
out.
She came In In a few moments,
bringing with her a watt of moist air.
Once again she went over and stood
by the mantel and leaned her elbow on
its edge, ner head on her hand.
Some raindrops had fallen on her
hair. and now In the soft light they
sparkled like diamonds. She looked
up suddenly.
II want YOU" she said. deliberately,
and looking full at my LADY, want
you to tell me all that passed between
you and Give that evening In the IL
brnry."
That look OF startled pain which al
ways leaped into Lady Carrington's
face at the mention of her sons name
crossed II now.
Cynthia" she began.
But the girl stopped her with a mo-
uon OF her hand.
wait! You have told me a little
concerning that interview. You have
not told me enough. You have told me
he loved beneath him. l want to know
how he came to tell you that?"
you have no right to ask me. You
have no right to know, Cynthia!" she
burst out, in nervous Indignation.
Though I ara convinced that In max
ing the resolution he made he became
unworthy of all trust. OF all affection
and though I am equally convinced
that In acting as | acted was simply
Just, still you must remember that
was his mother, and that the very
sound Of his name still has power to
hurt--to hurtl You are cruel, Gym
th.a--cruel!"
She was plucking restlessly at the
fringe Of her dress as she spoke.
"Oh," the girl cried. with a gesture
Of WEAKNESS. don't try to pacify o
threatening conscience VITA phrases of
mendation--donti"
Something in the words, or IN the
peculiar hardness of the tone In which
they we're spoken. made my lady half
rise from her chair In dismay that
caused her to forget her anger.
what do you mean. Cynthia? What
has come to you? How strangely you
talk! ! never heard you speak so be
fore"
you shall never hear me speak SC
again; but for tonight you must par
don me! Will you answer my ques
ton? How did Give come to tell you
ora little lower-"his lover"
why, who--who should he tell but
his motherf" she answered, evasively
"SoI You will not tell me. Well
Z will ask you the same question more
amply and directly"
There was an ominous glitter In the
Girl's eyes. but when she spoke hsI
speech was measured and calm.
~Had you. or had you not told youi
son Of your wish that he should marry
--me?"
-Cynthiar