Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-08-31
CHAPTER XXI

'''''h' a. iN"' " ~ Nv nm
dimly aware that some more important
business than usual was on hand. The
earl was seen with a prcoccupicd face.
He had been heard to refuse Lord Da-
nlers challenge TO n billiard match.
He had distinctly stated that he should
not join in the hunt nat Colonel Hun
gerford had arranged. What was the
matter? Lady Caraven was, as usual,
bright, beautiful and graceful; but
those who knew her best saw that she
was engrossed by some thought.
The earl rang for his footman.
"When Mr.. Blantyre comes show
him into my study" he said; and then
he went over to his wife. You do not
feel nervous at the task you have un-
dertaken?" he questioned.
Il think" said Lady Caraven. sit
would be quite as we'll if we looked
over that balance sheet before Mr..
Blantyre comes-it will shorten the
interview"
John Blantyre was a tall, gentleman
ly looking man Of speclous and
good address. A rogue from liking as
it' uS IT. lhllS ciSt, lit Noulu "
have cared to be honest If he could.
He had contrived to ingratiate him
self into the favor of Lord Caraven.
The result was irretrievable confusion.
John Blantyre had laid aside a fair
fortune for himself.
Let the worst come" he said to him
self; "if l am caught there will be
n,,Iu - fn,, ~ ,,s ,,rts>,,,nt tl,,,
l can go abroad and enjoy my saw
ings."
He entered the room smiling, with
his USUAL bland, obsequious manner.
His ace changed when he saw the
Countess of Caraven looking over his
balance sheets. The earl pointed to n
chair; the. detected thief sat down..
The young countess eyes were raised
to the bland face of the agent; they
to burn him. The earl left the
discussion to her, as he had said he
would. Words could not have express
ed the proud, cold contempt Of her face
as she spoke to him.
You are well aware, Mr.. B%lantyre.
that this balance sheet Is worth moth
ing? The accounts are all falsified."
II am not aware of anything Of the
kind, your ladyship. There may be a
few mistakes-it was hurriedly made
out. May I ask permission to"
You may ask nothing. sir" she re-
piled. CURLY. Tell Lord Caraven If it
be correct that you have taken a bride
some one who wants Bromhiii
Farm-a bride to turn out the old ten
ants and bring in a new one"
Lord Carayen knows that he"
Did you take the bride? Yes or
YES" he replied, sullenly.
mfr. Blantyre," said the young coun-
tess, ''you are a detected thief. You
have robbed your employer, you have
falsified your accounts, you have
down the poor you have OPP
pressed the helpless, you have made my
husbands name hated and loathed. you
have betrayed your trust, o have
drawn down upon your own head the
curses of those people whom i'll luck
has brought into contact with you"
John Blantyre covered before the
indignation of the fearless eyes,
and. turning to the earl, said:
MY lord, l have been a faithful serv-
ane of yours; have you nothing to say
me?"
Upon my word. Blantyre, l believe
you have been a most consummate
answered the earl. II have
placed all my authority in the hands
Lady Caraven. She is to do rs she
WILL"
The bland smile on the agents face
to IN ugly sneer. The young
countess rose from her seat, and, e.
her arm, pointed with her fin
ger to the door.
1T shall waste no words with you.
SIR, she said. go! We might prose-
cute you, we might force you to give
up your ill-gotten gains, we might ex
lose you to the contempt Of the world
but you are not worth 1t. l bid you go,
md the punishment Of your conduct
will be that everyone will know that
you have been dismissed characterless.
Not N verdi"
He made as though he would speak.
She still kept her hand o~utstretched to
the door her eyes o~vermastered him.
He turned to quit the room. When he
reached the door, rags overcame pru-
dence. He looked back at the noble
OF the young wife.
"Good-by. Countess of Caravan he
said. You have called me a thief:
you have. after n fashion. ruined me.
will be revengedI swear it! Even
years pass before ! can carry.
out my purpose, / will be revenged."
And with these words he quilted the
Lord Caraven made a TASTY step
the room to punish John Blan-
tyres insolence, but his wife touched
gently.
You would not surely she said,
soil your hands with him?"
I'll Kill him if he insults you:" he
He watched her rs b went with her
free, graceful. proud step and dung the
window wide open.
I'VE will have some fresh air." she
said. II can never bear the atmosphere
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