Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-12-31

quiet gesture.
Cynthia" In a quavering appeal,
"could there be-is there-any reason
to suppose that she is-whom she
says? You remember when she was
iii she raved OF Give. We thought she
did SO simply from his name being
mentioned by US in her hearing. rer.
haps-perhaps-"
She glanced from the childish, trust
full face before her to Bracken's repei-
liant visage. and back again. In pitiful
perplexity.
Here Is a gentleman whose word
admits OF no impeachment" cried
Bracken. suddenly, as the door opened
to admit the small. rubicund figure OF
MI. Bowers. Let him decided"
"My dear Miss Lennox--I beg par
donl-my dear Lady Darlington" cried
the little lawyer, genially bustling for
ward. "~why-why." ~retreating a few
steps and stammering confusedly at
sight Of Laurie Iisle, "this-young per.
o is your guest, my lady?"
He was bound not to commit him
self.
Speak up, Bowers!" Bracken COM
manded, shortly. my lady is cogni
zant Of the case. Who Is she? Speak
up!"
"As far as i know. this-this young
person Is the same who presented her
self at my office In September, pre-
tending to claim an inheritance not
legally hers. 1t Is a unpleasant word
to be obliged to use to a lady, but In
my opinion, she IL an adventures. an
i~mposter!"
A sharp cry Of pain rang from her
pale lips. She flung mp her hands and
caught them above her head in a fran
tic, imploring appeal.
"Oh, don't believe it!-don't believe
1t! ! am not that-not thatI Give
me time aud ! will prove it! Do not
be quick to condemnl WILL find some
one-people who knew me when | was
q child. They are all scattered, but 1
will search till find theml Cuthbert
Bracken robbed me OF my birthright--
he would rob me of my honor! don't
want Allen Atherton's m~oney--he may
keep mis- stolen wealth! But I do want
q woman's noblest crown-her good
name. unstained, unsuilied, untarn-
ished by the touch of a liar and a
theft"
She was facing him, fearlessly erect.
her head flung back, her eyes flashing
and blazing m~agnincently with the fire
of their passionate wrath.
Would they believe her-would they
believe her? III so-if-
Al terrible torrent of rage over.
whelmed him.
so. you dare speak so OF mel" he
said. hoarsely--.T, who can turn you
out-who will turn you out, by heav-
enl"
"Stopi"
The words we're still trembling on
his lips when Cyril Darlington strobe
across the floor and confronted him,
restraining, with q mighty effort, his
indignant anger.
you turn her out--you?" in accents
of stentorian scorn. "Since when were
you given authority here7 As my
aunt's representative. ! am master OF
B~Iackcastle, and I swear, If you speak
again as you spoke Just now, you shall
answer to me, and dearly, tool Oh.
Won coward. you contemplate coward,
to so insult O woman!"
He was a coward, fer he shrank
back like q whipped cur, In silence.
A wild, warm thrill shot through
C~ynthia's heart at sight Of that chiv-
alric defense. She had become chilled,
body and soul. 1t reused her to active
and generous life. She went over to
where the girl was standing, and put
one arm around the slender, rigid fig
ure.
While she is a guest OF B~lackcastle
she should at least be assured cour-
tesy," she said. gravely; and then a
little lower. to her companion:
Comet"
II will go away" Laurie Lisle said,
simply. turning to my LADY, win go
away tomorrow. I was a stranger and
you took me In"
Cynthia stopped to gather her roses.
And then they went away together,
across the wide. polished floor.
But Just as they reached the door,
Laurie Isle turned and her gaze met
full the r~edly-glariug y g of Cuthbert
Bracken. And they never forgot her
face as il leaked then-so hopeless. SO
infinitely sad. so frozen and hard, with
the desperation born OF despairl
I'VE have a debt TO settle" she said.
slowly-"you and I! One day, we will
square the account Perhaps that day
10 nearer than you dream!"
Gro &c cortlnued)