Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-01-14

sang Baby Earle, in her clear, high
voice. as. all unconscious of the scene
Just enacted in the library, she came
flying down the stairs like q bright
winged bird,
1.-THE worlds wrack Wen share o. II,
Tho wra5tle and the care o. II,
VIZ her III bl.tholy bear 1t.
And think my lot
Oh-h! You horrid boyi"
FOR a hand had caught n fiuttering
fold Of her dress, as she flashed
through the shadowy hall. and a laugh
of mischievous merriment was sound.
ing In her ears.
let me goi" she commanded, with
sudden frigidity, remembering their re-
cent quarrel.
'Pay toll. Bahy!"
And he pointed to where, above
them. cleaned the white berries of the
mistletoe.
mir. WarTen!" Indignantly.
miss Earlier" interrogatively.
"You forget we are enemies-implac-
able cnemies! Your rudeness, and tho
shocking way in which you lost your
temper this evening have,' with a
burst of oratorical ~eloquence. caused
a chasm between us which cannot be
lightly b%riGged."
"Oh. hang IL all, Baby, don't say
that!" ~lmploringly protested VIII. II
rude TO you'll rude to you!-when
you know I'd do anything in the world
for you-'pon my honor, | would. Make
up and be friends-do! What are you
smiling about7 Are you trying to for
give me?"
Il an trying not to-"
"Ah. better still! Then your heart
avs yes? Come. your Christmas trib-
ute to the mIstletoe,"
Wait TIL you hear what my heart
says first" murmured Miss Earle, in a
voice obviously meek and sweet
Bend your head I'LL / whisper"
You ANGEL" he said, r~apturousiy,
and bent his handsome. fair head to
listen.
But a moment later there was a
sharp clap. a cry. and VIII Warren
stood alone, with his ear tingling
sharply from Baby's brisk box, and a
hooking cry floating back TO him up
the hall.
THAT GIRL" he said. blankly. "Je-
rusaleml"
It was q queer p~retense OF dinner
they went through In the great dining
room. Cynthia sat in her accustomed
place, calm and stately as usual, but
neither my lady. Miss Isle nor Cyril
Darlington appeared.
MIR. Earle and his daughter were
dimly conscious of the restraint which
broodrd In the social atmosphere, but
both were ignorant OF the cause.
The night dragged on and dragged
out-a dreary. uncomfortable, un-
chr.stmas-like Christmas eve.
Without the snow had again re.
sumed It's noiseless downpour. The
clocks throughout Blackcastle were
counting twelve when Cynthia Lennox
raped at my lady's door, and receIv-
ing no reply. turned Che handle and
walked In.
my lady was lying in q great chair
by the fire. She had fallen into q light
sleep. but sometbing-that indeflnable
something which makes US conscious
though unconscious Of a human pres.
ence-awoke her.
She sat erect in her seat and looked
up at the girl before her.
"Ah. II is you, .Cynthiai am glad
o came In. l wanted to speak with
you"
"Weli?" she answered and sat down
YEARLY.
The intense strain OF the last few
weeks was telling on her. mentally and
physically. robust though she was.
II want to ask you what you think
what you really think of this-this
affair Do you believe her statement?
DO you believe his? l have been
thinking and thinking till I am half
cazed. have turned and twisted
each wretched story into every con-
ceivable shape. ard the result Is that
] nm more hopelessly bewildered than
ever But l said to myself, Cynthia
will discover the truth where / fail!'
Il she Laurence Isle, as she claims,
or Is she an imposter, as he asserts?
Your brain Is young and clear, dear.
What does 1t say3"
She had spoken with voluble rapid.
tty. and was now leaning forward In
her chair, snxious and eager.
III says." Mas Lennox answered.
slowly. "nothingl"
"Nothingf"
II cannot think At all" she cried.
with sudden energy. "The faculty OF
Thought seems to have deserted my
brain tonight. Think. think. Think
That b what I have been doing this
month OF moreover since the night
we carriei her In through the gates OF
B~iackcastie; ever since that horrible
laugh nrst rang In my earsi Why do
you start. Tradition says that mani.
acal LAUGH II an omen OF evil to the
house OF Darlington. Such It has
proven. uvti has fallen upon it-eyfl
nd bitter sorrow! Her illness ana
offanse delirium; Gives death: the
ehange here In life. manners. all ola.
1Rml1Iar thinEs; the change in you:
end - climax It al. this wretched
oQea4 ~ te-night. with IT. painful 20
esseAisnsi - ne Laurence Isle o.