Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-03-16
1erRanSOm
By WILLARD MACKENZIE

telling 2 ana she looked at Auu-
reg thoughtfully. NO, I don't think
so. especially as I do not know the
name Of the lady"
"Lady-what lady?" faltered Aud
rey.
The lady who tent him on this
wild-goose chase" replied Sylvia. "She
asked him to go in search Of a friend
she had lost, and Lord Lorrimore-
that is his name-promised to search
for two years. He has been searching
for longer than that, and without sue
cess. But though the time has expired.
he does not like to go back and tell
her, ecause-oh, l grow impatient
and almost angry when l think of it.
He is so high minded-like the knights
Of old, you know, while She Well.
don't you think she must be thought
less and cruel to take advantage of his
generosity and unselfshness?'
Audrey's head dropped and her lips
quivered.
II don't know! Yes, ah. yes. she
was thoughtleSs, and-and cruel, if
you think so. But-but perhaps
she was going to say, "she has been
punished" but stopped herself and
said, instead, but you-you are very
proud of him, sign~orina?"
Indeed 1 am" assented Sylvia,
with Il frankness which startled Aud
rey. II think there is no n like
him. II have never known any II
so good and kind and self-denying, ex-
cept-one other"
Her voice faltered and died away
almost inaudibly.
But Lord Lorrimore will be COM
ing back directly, and then I hope he
will meet with his reward" and she
smiled.
A terrible struggle went or in poor
Audrey's bosom for a long. long min
ute, then she conquered the desire to
rush out of the room, never to see this
beautiful rival Of hers again, and put
ting out her hand she murmured:
"Yes! 1 am sure he will! All! I
don't wonder at his loving you"
Sylvia recoiled and opened her love-
ly eyes on her.
Loving me! Me-" she exclaimed.
lucu Suc DuISl ouI uluS. I'll,
how could you think that! Lord Lor-
in love with me! Why, he wor-
ships the ground this lady stands on!
He thinks of her night and day! Oh,
you do not know him or you would
understand how impossible it is for
him to change! What! go all round
the world, an exile, a wanderer, just to |
nprotser %tn 1,hfr, 80 %h1 RAMA, !, BE- ha |
loved, and then forget her former"
Audrey turned white to the lips, and
her hands, tightly clasped in her lap,
trembled.
Ell thought heard-' she
faltered.
Sylvia laughed.
"Ah, you do not know the nonsense
they write in the papers about u.s."
she said. "They have told all sorts Of
fabulous stories about me, and I sup
pose they have about Lord Lorrimore,
read the papers. Mercy and
lie would " let me. They said that
he rubbish the newspaper correspon-
Tents wrote would do me harm. You
lee what care they have taken Of me.
Poor Lord Lorrimore. I must tell him
when he comes back of your mistake.
lie will laugh
'No, no." interrupted Audrey, and
he attempted to rise, but sank back.
Then Sylvia saw that her visitor was
,ale and trembling.
ooh, what is the matter? You are
llw she said, bending w her. ut Is
he heat And you have walked, have
,ou not? lam SO sorry"
Audrey put her arm round Sylvia's
and drew her face down and
Used her. Sylvia blushed with pleas
ire, then, shyly, for she was not given
kissing, returned 1t.
II came meaning to ask you to lie
ny friend" said Audrey, still rather
shut there is no need to ask, |
$ there, signorinaY
,"Now responded Sylvia. But you
must not call me by that grand name.
Ny name is Sylvia-Syivia Bond. You
must call me Sylvia"
'sYesr' said Audrey. 'And YOU,
She laughed and took both Sylvia's
hands. "We are like two schoolgirls
swearing an eternal friendship, are we
not? You will call me Audrey?"
As they sat side by side, Sylvia res
lated some of the incidents Of her pro-
fessional career and became confiden-
tial regarding her future Intentions.
Audrey tore herself away ut last, and
Sylvia went down to the door with
her, and saw her walk away. Audrey
turned into the park, and sinking into
a seat clasped her hands tightly. She
alone now, and could attempt to
realize what had befallen her.
..What have I done? What have I
donef" broke from her white lips.
$50 faithful, 50 true, while r Oh.
what will he think. what will he sayr
she looked round wildly, ~ n
looks round for some means Of escape
from some great peril and finds none.
TOO late. too late!" she murmured.
CHAPTER XVII.
Sir Jordan Lynne was a happy man.
He had won one OF the most charm.
ing beauties Of England. He was en-
route to Lynne. and all the way he
was planning out the future. He
would refurnish the old house, redec-
crate It throughout; one of the best
firms should have carte blanche In re-
spect to the furniture.
On his arrival at Lynne his novel
cheerfulness surprised Frome. the sol