Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-01-25


or heard from him lately. But dom
| expect that she will know much news
IT is not in the nature of the sweet
medieval-minded old lady to be in the
swim of anything"
Miss Marian EBingham had betals
en- herself to SMALL. quaint house
overlooking Hampstead Heath wher
her time as lady of the house at Ar
llngton Towers had ceased, owing tC
the sudden death of her bachelor
| brother. At Hampstead she had lived
| secluded existence, declining tc
make new friends or to associate with
any one of not equal high degree in
the matter of birth. In short, her
| pride was wholly out OF proportion to
her tiny establishment and small in.
| come
At the present moment she was
awaiting In semi-state and much trepi-
dation Audrey's arrival
Il wonder what plans she has made
for the future?" said the old lady, anx-
| iously Il sincerely hope that she has
| given up all idea of tea rooms In Bond
street. If she would consent to live
quietly here, should find her society
a boon Perhaps she may be glad of
| quiet and rest after her long illness.
All! here she isl"
1t was true, Audrey had arrived,
but with a craving for news and not
for quiet.
How are George al.d Hilda?" she
asked before many minutes had
elapsed.
a week ago to say that he is making a
very slow, but on the whole satisfac.
tory recovery" replied Miss Filing
ham.
THAT is good news! Apd has any
thing else of interest happened?
Please realize that am painting for
every kind OF information after my
semi-incarceration for SO long"
Miss Ellingham looked at the fat
poodle asleep on the hearthrug, then
at the fire, and shook her head. Il
cannot recollect anything of interest to
tell you,' she said, in a most conclu-
sive voice.
But, aunt, life is full of Incidents!
Mine has been considerably fuller than
II wished. When look back upon the
lastsfew weeks can only see a rush
OF incidents following each other with
bewildering speed, Something Of in
terest must have happened"
ooh, please don't tell me anything
about your own thrilling experiences,
AIrS ~ Miss rh,p
ing her scent bottle, and please, dear,
do not make any reference to having
been patient at an ordinary hospital
when the servants are present have
carefully avoided telling them any
thing. Your independence in coming
to London by yourself was most indis-
Greet behavior. Have not always
prophesied that your strong-minded
propensities would lead you Into trou-
bled waters %
Yes, aunt; and If half the terrible
things happen to me that you have
prophesied will occur, the next few
years Of my life will be crammed with
incidents of a tragic, not to say blood
curdling nature"
! am glad to see that you are be-
ginning to realize your own jeopardy,
and j trust it will lead you to be con-
tented to remain here and to make
this house your home. 4"
For the next few weeks, auntie,
shall be: delighted to remain, thank
you" said Audrey. But to return to
the present, am feeling so anxious
to kear more news about Arlington
and every one there. The two Erskines
were SO kind in insrituting the search
for me, which resulted in my discovery
at Guys. For many days Reggie called
to inquire after me and sent presents
of fruit and flowers. Suddenly he
ceased to come, and have never
heard word from him since. The
whole thing seems SO inexplicable. .
Audrey turned toward her aunt with
q glance Of Interrogation.
A frigid look came into the latter's
face.
Il must request that you do not
mention the name Of Erskine In my
house, =, she said.
s .sWhy? gasped Audrey. Auntie,
tell me why
The man, Guy Erskine, is a scoun-
drel. He has brought disgrace on the
neighborhood. Don't ask me any par
ticulars. a dramatic wave Of the
hand accompanied the last words.
Don mention his name In my pres
8ence, and never, never refer to hav-
Ing known Kim or any Of his people =
But must know to what you re-