Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-06-16

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CHAPTER Ix.-(continued.)
By
Ton, Gallon

She had built SO much on that-had
been SO sure that she could secure
him, and so range him beside her to
fight whatever battle might be neces-
sary; and she had failed Her woman's
instinct told her that if there had been
any real hope he would not have put
the matter off then. If, in the future.
he turned to her at all, it would be be-
cause that was the only way to secure
the fortune; and even she recognized
that he was the kind Of a man who
might refuse to turn to her on those
terms.
After little while, however, she
began to look at the matter more calm
ly-began to see it from her own
worldly standpoint. He would newt
ably come back to her, if only for the
sake of the power she held; it would
be bargain, at least, and she would
secure him and the fortune as well,
after that the future might take care
of itself. Everything would be right.
because he must inevitably recognize
that everything was in her hands.
L1iSi q Sd1iGp hOWCfCA, Lue ulSbuiD.
ing thought that she might after all be
discovered in her real character. This
man, Owen Jaggard, was actually on
the estate-was to sleep that very
night in the ruined cottage inhabited
by that other arch-conspirator, Roger
Hawley. They were to have another
night in which to plot and plan; they
were to be able to bring down disaster
upon her in moment-just when it
suited them best. She set her lips in
a sudden, quick determination, and
went to a window and looked out
across the grounds towards that de-
serted and neglected corner wherein
the cottage stood. d.
Both in hiding, and both for differ
ent reasons she said softly to her
self. No one knows where Roger
Hawley is; no one knows, in all prob
ability, that Owen Jaggard is in Eng
land. An accident such as might hap
pen to any one, and the only man who
knows, and the only man who sus.
poets, both gone
She turned away from the window
hurriedly and gave quick laugh that
seemed to hurt her, and rang the bell.
The maid Janet appeared.
Janet, | don't want you to wait for
me tonight, as you've done before;
it's not quite fair to you," she said,
without looking at the girl. 81 am
restless sort of person." she added.
with a smile, land | sometimes wan
der about half the night. Go to bed
early and leave me-"
y 7 don't mind waiting in the least,
miss, said the girl.
Il know that, Janet, thank YOU she
replied, with grateful look at the girl.
But insist"
So 1t happened that the lights grad
ually disappeared from the great house
and all the servants went to bed. The
doors were locked as usual; the only
Hight anywhere was in the little, dainty
sitting room occupied by the mistress
OF Hawiey Park. And it was nearly 2
o'clock in the morning before that was
extinguished
But Joyce Bland came creeping down
little staircase built in a corner OF
the house, and stealthily unlocked a
door at the foot of the stairs Then,
keeping close in the shadow of the
trees. and stopping every now and
then. with trembling hand against
her breast she sped on across the
grounds, and came at last to the place
outside which she had watched On the
previous night--the ruined gardeners
cottage, half-hidden in the tangled I'M
dergrowth.
She was not there very long, and she
Went about such work as she had to-
do deftly. It was an easy matter, to
collect a pile Of twigs and dry leaves
and such like refuse and lay it all
softly against the wooden door. When
at last she crept away from the place
"a thin, blue column Of smoke was
curling up toward the starlit sky.
BY the time she had got back to her
room There was an angry red glare
blotting out The stars in the distance.
and every now and then shower 81
sparks was flung up against the sky.
She sat at her window long time
watching It, and wondering what news
would be brought to her in the morn.
ing. s, Il, 4
Mid ss,s
CHAPTER x.
Owen Shows His e arsis. sas' a Il.