Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-09-28
"1t seems to me-. interrupted Guy.

/ "It seems to me-" interrupted Guy,
s'that you spend your time in church
locating the best-lpoking girls. Per.
haps you will be pleased to hear that
we are dining out tonight at Carlton
Park. and that a girl cousin. Audrey
Villiers by name, is staying there.
Until Ellingham married she was his
next-of-kin and heiress to his income
and all his possessions"
audrey Villiers!" exclaimed Reg
gle, springing to his feet, assuming a
pleased and lively manner "By Jove!
That's luck! met her at the Dan
vers' last year, and we had most in
teresting Irritation. How long is she
staying here?"
about fortnight, Think"
''Tll do ditto, then, as | have not
taken vows of celibacy-the case with
you, evidently
Whenever you choose to marry, Reg
gie," said Guy, ignoring the last re-
mark, II will let you have thousand
year allowance, provided you always
live on nine hundred and ninety-nine
pounds, and after my death there will
be this place for you, and your chill
dren after you"
Thanks, old man, awfully, for the
thousand year. AS for all the rest,
l would prefer to hear that you con-
templated matrimony too
81 shall never marry" 1t was said
in tone of. complete finality. A mo-
ment Guy added quickly. Never refer
to the subject again, please"
The quiet dinner party at Arlington
Towers passed off satisfactorily. Prob
ably Audrey and Reggie would have
described it as very great success,
for they found themselves at liberty
to roam about the fine old house by
themselves, enjoying delightfully."-
prolonged tete tete. Together they
inspected the picture gallery and the
excellent library, the pride of the FL
ilnghams. Audrey enjoyed being show
woman to her ancestral belongings,
to all of which she had been heiress
for brief period.
"And now I'm poor" she observed
with smile. that think of running
a milliner's shop or an afternoon-tea
resort in Bond street.
eff you'll do the latter I'll be your
most regular customer" replied Reg
gle.
81 thought you were one of those
strong minded people who never took
tea she replied, demurely.
"That doesn't matter. | should not
allow my on-tea-drinking theories to
stand in the way of meeting you"
They were sauntering through the
conservatory now, and Reggie had
just decided that it's subdued light
suited Audrey's complexion and her
manner of looking up into his face
better than the glare of a fully lighted
room. These discoveries caused him
to resent the fact that they were ap-
was singing now and Guy was turning
over the leaves of the music. The song
was one which they had heard her
sing three years before, when
his chances of winning her for his
bride trembled in the balance, and as
he listened his thoughts drifted back
to that time of vacilating hopes and
fears.
Now she had risen from the piano,
and the two who had paused at the
conservatory door entered. General
conversation was resumed, and bowed
on energetically until the two guests
rose to leave.
1t was beautiful moonlight night,
crisp and invigoratingy. Just for a
brief moment Sir George and Guy
stood together on the steps.
81 wonder if Searie has gone home
or is staying in the village?" said the
former.
Hes gone home, expect" was the
reply. "He is certain to have done so
on account of his boy"
eyes, I did not think of that. Good
night
Good night" replied Guy, as he en-.
tered the carriage.
His surmise was correct. Searle
had returned home. At least he was
now within half a mile Of the isolated
cottage which he had shared several
years with his daughter.
Ito Be Continued.)