Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-04-27
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
At last Sylvia drew herself IL of
Neville'S arms and he led her to Il
sofa and sat down beside her. He
gave an account Of his adventures
since their parting, excepting those
connected with the finding of the will,
and Sylvia listened with eager intent
ness.
Poor jack" she murmured, smooth
ing his hands. but who cares? You
are here-here, actually sitting beside
me. Oh, do you think L shall wake
up presently and find it all a dream?'
AS she asked the question the door
opened, and the viscount came in.
Here You are, Lori Hullo.
What. Why! No! Yes. 1t is Ne
vile Lynne! Why, my dear boy! This
is a surprise. Where on earth did you
spring from? l shouldn't have known
you but for your eyes! Where's Au-
drey? She'll be glad enough to see
you, I'll warrant. Well, L never. Ny
dear fellow, we all thought you were
-ahem-dead! Neville Lynne back %
And he kept %clapping Neville's broad
back and laughing. Il wish her lady
ship were here! You were a f~avorite
of hers, boy. Boy! Why, you have
grown into a giant, and Hullo!'
he broke off, suddenly, remembering
that he had come upon the two sit
ting close together on the sofa. do
you know the. Signnrina Stella, Ne
vile? Do you know him, signorina?
1 suppose you do, though"
IL thought l did, yes she said
in a low voice. "But-but YOU call
him-what was 1t you called him?
Neville Lynne?"
II did. It's his name, my dear.
said the %viscount, staring. what else
should I call him"
Sylvia looked from one to the other,
her breath coming quickly. Jack, her
Jack, Neville Lynne! How could it
be?
Lorrimore and Audrey entering the
room found them thus, and Audrey
went up quickly to the viscount. and
put her arm round his shoulders.
Neville Is an old friend of Sylvia's,
dear" she said, giving him a little
hug. Don't you see?"
mo, hang me If | do" he bluntly
retortad. She doesn't know his
name
"A fellow doesn't always call him
self by the right name out in the gold
fields" said Neville.
"Eh? And you met there? Well,
bless my soul! You must tell us all
about II, Neville"
Sylvia seemed dazed, and gazed at
Neville, who, though he was talking
to the viscount and Lord Lorrimore,
kept glancing at her as if he could
not keep his ayes from her face.
IT'S the strangest story" he said.
And l don't quite know whether /
am awake or asleep and dreaming.
TO think that Lord Lorrimore here
should have been hunting for me all
these years, and that he should once
have been within a few miles"
"A Few yards" said Lorrimore.
'And not know it,
A footman opened the door.
"Sir Jordan Lynne" he announced.
"Sir Jordan Lynne!' The announce
ment and the entrance of that estima-
BILE gentleman were like the explosion
of a bombshell to at least three out Of
four of the party. Audrey started and
turned pale, Lorrimore frowned dark
ly, and Neville sprang to his feet.
Jordan's presence was owing to one
OF those chances which make or mar
mems fortunes. He had started that
morning for London, resolved upon
persuading, forcing, Audrey to marry
him at once. He was thinking of her
intently as he gazed %yacantly out of
the carriage window, and, 10 and be-
hold! as his train pulled up at Sud-
bury Junction, half way to town, he
saw her face at the carriage window
Of 4 train standing at the down plat
form. At first he thought that it was
an optical delusion, then he caught
sight of Lord NARROW. and instantly
jumped at the right conclusion; Au-
drey was going to the Grange to
avoid him! He sprang out of the train
and yelled for a porter. but as he did
so his own and .ne other train start
ed, and he was left standing upon the
platform while Audrey was carried
away from him.
To the amazement of the officials,
| who, of course. knew the right honor
able gentleman, Sir Jordan stamped
his feet. When was the next train
back to Lynne? There was no other
until the usual afternoon one, he was
informed.
He spent four of the longest hours
in his life at the station, ana then
| flung himself into the down train, aud
was carried to Lynne. He only
waited at the Court long enough to
ascertain that Miss Hope and her
party had indeed arrived at the
Grange: Their he had himself driven
there.
For a moment as the footman
! opened the d-rawing-room door and
announced him. mi he saw Neville
and Lord Lorrimore, he stopped short
and the color left his face. He had
expected to see only Audrey and the
signoeina. Then with = tromendoui
1EsSE