Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-03-30

Presently on a dark hiilock to ON
right / saw lighted windows GIN
mering among trees, and | called ID
a low voice to Mount ana sprah-
noiselessly to the road. lane le"
around the hillock to the right. "
this dim path | conducted the chalse-
and-four until / found room 10 turi'
them back, facing the Boundary ROAD
again. Here our chaise might lie con
cealed from passing folk on the high-
way, and here l quietly babe Mount
and Renard await me, while Shemuel
held the horses heads.
passed silently along the lane.
climbed the hillock and entered the
orchard. Through the dim trees stole
toward the house, where two windows
on the ground floor were lighted up
Then as leaned breathless against
a tree in the distant gloom the fortress
bell struck slowly eleven times.
Second after second passed. minute
followed minute, and my eyes never
left the closed door under the pillared
porch. Far away in the fortress the
bell struck the half hour, and on the
west breeze came the dull cry of sentl-
nels calling from post TO post under
the summer stars
Impatience was racking me now.
waited until | could wait no longer.
Then in the shadow of the trelliS vines
| stole up TO the porch. The hallway
was empty. | stepped to the sill, cross
ed it and surveyed the empty stairway
and the gallery above There was not
a soul in sight A door on my right
stood open. looked in, then entered
the smaller of two ROOMS, which were
partly separated from each other by
folding doors.
Treading on the velvet carpet, |
passed into the farther apartment,
which by little gallery and waxed
floor knew to be the ballroom. | had
already turned to re-enter the smaller
room when | heard the front door
close and voices sounding along the
outer hallway. | stepped behind a gilt
cabinet and drew my heavy knife, per
fectly aware that l was trapped like a
fox in a snap box.
Through the carved foliage of the
cabinet | saw three people enter the
room.
There they stood in low voiced con-
sultation-Lady Shelton, my Lord Dun
more and my mortal enemy, Walter
Butler. He turned toward Dunmore,
with a gesture.
"Sir Timerson should find them to-
night" he said. Your thief taker
Bully Bishop, is with them, / under
stand"
"They are to search every rebel rat
hole in town. cried DunmOre eagerly.
"They should claw them ere dawn,
Captain Butler!''
IF | am to conduct Miss Warren to
Williamsburg" said Butler gloomily,
'you had best see her without delay.
my lord"
''Will you be pleased-t toto receive
Miss Warren Immediately asked
Lady Shelton in a f1utter of jellyfied
excitement. Il have her closely watch
ed wherever she takes step. She has
her boxes packed. the willful child.
Lud. she would have been gone these
two hours had not Captain Buffers
man caught my footman with d
guinea
Il have copy of her letter" squeak
ed Dunmore angrily. He turned nerv-
ously to Butler.
You had best attend in the bail
room. Captain Butler. Cad, can per
suade her. | think, within the half
hour!"
Il will send her to you said Lady
Shelton.
And stay away until you're want
ed" added Dunmore brutally.
Lady Shelton stared ut him with
frightened eyes. Then her little fat
feet set themselves in motion, and she
battered hastily out of the room. The
men exchanged sneers.
IN be rid of that ruddled sack of
lollypops now" observed Lord Dun
more complacently. "Will you take
your turn, Captain Butler? No? Well
owe thanks to Sir Timerson then
psf! There's some one on the stairs,
Give me joy. Captain Butler, and mind
you keep closed eyes, you roguer'
Butler gave him contemptuous
stare. then swung on his heel and, bal
ancing his thin hand ON the hilt of his
small sword. walked noiselessly into
the dim ballroom.
] noted these things one by one, but
my thoughts had flown upstairs Il
seek throughout this shameful house
for the dear maid who had given her
self to me.
Suddenly she appeared at the door
so suddenly that Lord Dunmore start
ed with a suppressed squeal of sur.
prise. AS for me. quivered in my
lurking place and for a moment coult
scarce see her for the mist In my eyes
At first sight of her hood and travel
Ing coat Lord Dunmore had scowled
Then. fascinated. he pretended to /;
trance and clasped his hands, rolling
bis rheumy eyes toward heaven. See
ing her face fall. however. he recov
cred quickly enough and Ieered at hel
from head to toe.