Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-02-09
t IerRanSom:
BY WILLARD MACKENZIE

: might expect you to do. after all 70
l could nOt-nO one cOuld-be at cas-
and contented while his brother wa
p~enniless.'
"No. nc, Of course not" assented 81
Jordan promptly. but with MS eye
hidden behind the thick white lids" "
have advertised. am advertising con
stantly for him. and am in hopes tina
I shall heal tidings of him 0
suppose you will be going down TO tn
Grange presently he said, changln!
the subject.
Yes" she replied. Lord and Lad.
Marrow are coming down with me t
spend Christmas"
Il shall be ut Lynne. too; | shall Sc
down directly the House rises. ht
said. S tina we shall be near neigh
bors, shall we mott" CHANGING sideways
ut her.
Yes she assented. but without ;
particle of warmth. or more thai tho
expression of pleasure which ordinary
politcncSs demanded, and Sir Jordan'>
lips frightened. She had been warm
land sympathetic enough while they
lad been talking about his ScoundreI
of Il half brother, Neville; but now she
seemed as if she had lost all interest
in their conversation. Il must go to
poor Lady NARROW" she said. "She
is tired out, | know. and
At this moment a gentleman ap-
preached them. a tall. dark-haired
| young a with a handsome face and
rather grave and serious eyes.
"Oh. Lord L~orrimore.' she eX-
claimed. Have you seen Lady Mar
low lately?'
Il have Just been sem in search of
you by her" he replied.
And he held out his arm, n0idins
rather coldly to Sir Jordan. Audrey
Hope took the proffered arm, and the
two walked away.
What had that man got to talk to
you about?' asked Lord Lorrirnore.
looking down at her with his dark,
serious eyes.
"Oh. only But what right have
you to ask such Il question" she re-
torted, with an affectation of resent
ment.
The right that the fact of my low
ing o. gives me, Miss Hope
She made as if to draw her arm
away, but he held it firmly.
II thought you promised that you
would not. talk to me in that way
againT' she said, reproachfully.
Il did," he assented; but when you
me a direct question 1 am COM
PEELED to give you a direct and truth
full answer"
"And so here's Lady NARROW, and
you may CO." interrupted Audrey, half
saucily, half sadly, for she was touched
by her lovers persistent, doglike devo-
ton.
'.All right he said, not a whit of
"Good night. Good night,
Lady NARROW"
Lady NARROW laughed as she gave
her hand.
sShe's a tiresome, wicked girl, isn't
she, Lord Lorrimore?" she said.
She knew the whole state of the case
between the two. He smiled for about
the first time, held Audrey's hand for
a moment, and then took himself off.
Poor Lord Lorrimore.!'' said Lady
NARROW.
ooh, don't pity him! Pity me.!' ex-
claimed Audrey with a pout. How
you like to be bothered by a
man who won't take mop
IF l We're in your place, my dear,
1 should like it very much,' replied
the frank lady. Especially il the man
We're Lord Lorrimore.'
CHAPTER VIII.
Sir Jordan remained for some few
minutes where Lord Lorrimore and
Audrey had left him. He intended
marrying Audrey Hope. Not because
he loved her. Audrey was not only
the most beautiful girl he knew. but
n of the richest, and it was because
she was rich, Ind the Grange estate
ran parallel with Lynne, hat he had
decided to marry her.
He knew that Lord Lorrimore loved
her, and though she had refused him.
loved her still, and hoped ret to win
her; but Jordan did not care for that;
20 many men loved her, and
wanted to marry her, and there is
safety in numbers.
He made his way to Lady NARROW.
said good night, and went down the
stairs. 1t was a beautiful night, or
rather early morning, and Jordan
stood and looked at the stars for a
moment or two. and decided to walk
home. He did not know that he was
followed until he felt a hand touch
his arm. He started and turned, then
fell back n step, staring at the pale
face Of q woman who had stopped
him.
1t was a sad as well as a pale face,
with hollow eyes hat spoke of pain
and misery, and lips that had grown
wan and tremulous with sorrow and
trouble, and yet, alas! It was the face
OF q woman who was still young and
had once. and not long since, been
beautiful.
"~Jordanrr she said, in a low. sad
voice.
Sir Jordan Lynne drew his arm
away, and looked at her under his
lowered lids with the expression which
the one who has injured always hears
toward the one upon whom the injury
has been inflicted.
Rachel! What are you doing here
how did you Gomez he asked. his
voice growing harsher with each word
and he looked about him as il he