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

very tall. largely built man of about
twenty-nine, with features pronounced
and regular. His once fair skin had
been tanned to rich bronze. His
mouth was Swallowed by sweeping
mustache and beard. His thick brown
hair was cut close to his head. His
eyes we're cool, shrewd, calculating.
They stood few minutes under the
blaze of the chandelier. talking ami
matedly, and the others, watching
them as they stood there, both so
graceful, so finely proportioned, so
proud of stature, turned TO nod and
smile significantly to each other.
"Let me find you a seat, Miss Len
nox"
He drew a big crimson chair up
against the soft background OF por-
there, and made her sit down. He
took his place on a low divan beside
her. and began to talk as such men as
Cyril Darlington do talk when their
auditor is a beautiful woman, with a
lavish flow of words, smooth model.
ing OF sentences, an eager and slightly
conscious Difference of manner.
Cynthia herself was brilliant con-
versationalist, and tonight. whatever
strange spirit possessed the girl, she
was at her best. She chatted on al
most feNerishly in her rapid, easy, fas.
cinating way. touching subjects tamil-
lar to them both with spur OF elo-
quence or the whip of satire.
The vivid spot of color on either
clear olive cheek deepened and burned.
The intense brightness OF her eyes In
creased with her speech. They looked
at her In amazement.
"How wonderfully well Miss Lennox
lights up!" hazarded Freddie Lynn, in
ferment Of feverish admiration.
"Yes," grudgingly assented Vera
Cassard; those large, brown-skinned
women always dol"
Miss Cassard, by the way. did not.
How lovely Cynthia 1ccS look"
Baby Earle whispered &c compan-
ion, in a gush OF hear miration.
"And black is the last T. in the
world to become most dark-haired peo-
Pile; but believe she would look well
In anything!"
Oh. could they have but kn IN the
subtle poison which was fevering her
veins, flushing her cheek. bringing that
glittering sparkle to her eyesi
The night wore on. Without, the
rain still fell in torrents, the wind
,vant hy NTH a ooraocb opd q bnxyI
the trees in the park dashed and rat
tied their leafless branches.
Within was languor and warmth and
comfort, the murmur of mems deep
voices. the soft rustic of feminine
draperies, the sound of song and laugh
ter.
Once Cynthia turned to her compan-
Ion with a sudden question:
'Have you seen Lady Darlington pri-
vately since your arriyal?"
He looked at her with suppressed sur
prise.
mo, have not"
"Then do not. Avoid an interview
till tomorrow"
His surprise deepened, but he only
bowed grave assent.
Some one came up to Cynthia with
a request that she would sing.
She had a powerful contralto voice
and sang well, but she declined with a
quick refusal that was almost one OF
dismay.
PLAY us something. then, Miss Len
nox!" called out viii Warren, from
his distant corner; something brisk
and br liant in defiance to the rising
storm wlthout-a rafting galop, for
instance"
Something brisk and brilliant when
her heart was throbbing to the dull
measure Of funeral march!
mo she said, you must pardon
me. My head is still aching-slightly."
She rose with sigh of relief as the
nocturnal exodus began.
will you come up to the smoking
room for awhile before you turn In, Mr..
Carrington?" asked Sir Jasper.
"ln moment--yes," he answered.
He made his way to an adjoining
room. where Cynthia Lennox was
standing for the moment alone. She
saw the large somewhat heavy figure
coming toward her, and felt momen-
tary sensation of surprise at the per-
| picked expression he wore.
Miss i ennox, | would like to ask
you to answer me a question which
has been disturbing me all the evening.
II It is, as fear. one of unwarrantable
interference, | ask your forgiveness
for the ignorance which prompted 1t. !"
| She bowed slightly and smiled.
at Is this. When was being driven
tonight up the avenue we passed a
massive tower, which seemed. as well
as | could discern through the rainy
dusk. part of Blackcastle. And Just
as we whee;ed by | heard. apparently
assuring nom the building, such q
strange taught"
"You--you heard II, too!"
She had fallen back a step and was
staring at him with terrified eyes.
yes; and thought | would ask
you"
Don't ask mel" she cried. In low,
! passionate voice. 81 don't knowi
J There Is a story connected with tth
place--a story which have. ell my
life. considered foolish superstition.
All my life-tili a short time ago Then
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