The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-07-18
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BY EFFEE "a. ROWl lANDS

tOuTSt
~ am sorry to say, dear nunt, that
my iLcome is a thing Of :Ic past.
realized the capital when I was in Eng
land before. / had absolute need of the
money, and there was nothing else to do.
thought told you of this
Mrs. Thorngatc uttered quiet mo,
dear, you did not" and somehow the
lane grew misty before ner. She recall
cd how hard her sister had struggled to
keep this small amount of money safe
for her boy. Beverlcy's Indifferent tone
jared on her a little, but she was too
fond of him to let that last.
You must have a chat with Gus when
he comes back, and until then, dear, look
upon me as your banker" she said, gent
iy.
dear Aunt Agatha ~ Beverley mur-
INJURED, pressing her hand. his gratitude
was entirely assumed. since he had set
tied this arrangement in his mind before
he left Port Elizabeth; but Mrs. Thorn
Sa.r never doubted it for q moment.
You will be rich man some day.
Beverley, you are so clever. Brains like
yours always succeed"
They certainly have served me very
well so far" agreed Mr.. ltochfort. There
was a curious smile on his face as he
| recalled how often his brains had carried
aim through disasreeable and awkward
crises. Il must tell you I'll about my
plans tomorrow, Aunt Agatha. Are those
the lghts of Dinglewood? | had an Idea
il was much further away. What q
fin. property 1t Is! Miss Fraser Is a
lucky ysung woman. Is sne appropriated
yety'
There Is no definite engagement: but
I don't think I am far wrong IL say
Sheila's fancy leans toward lord John
Glendurwoed. | think yol met him
whch you were here before"
4 grim look settled on Beverley Roch-
forts handsome face; his lips compressed
their selves into a tight, ng!y line.
"Tes, I Inow Glendurwood,' was all
h. ssid; but a keen listener might have
detected something hard and strange in
lis voice. He is a very decided prig,
Aun. Agatha"
Mrs. Thorngnte made 40 reply to this,
Tor, truth to tell. she had a weak spot
N her heart for Lord John. and was one
~ MS warmest admirers.
Il hate prigs! l knew one out there
with comprehensive nod backward at
some unnamed Sourne-"to wiom took
a fancy" Beverley laughed softly. He
vas the surliest chap l ever lame across
out what a plucky one! We knocked
against each other pretty otter. l felt
sorry for him, somehow: h1 seemed al
ways 80 Slum. He gave me q packet to
bring home to some lawyers here. and
mace me swear l would honcstly deliver
it. He called himself John Marsh, but
All quite sure that vas NO: his name.
He must have been a good-looking fellow
when he waG younger, with eyes as blue
well. as your large sapphire ring, Aunt
Agatha, and coal-black hair. A strange
combination! l never saw 1t before"
why, that's just What flat child is
like cried the rector's wife.
What child?"
Miss Fraser's maid, and a protege of
Gus. Such a lovely little creature.
wisn you could see her. Beverley"
Il never waste my admiration on ser
varts," he said as they reached the low,
wide porch-like entrance Of Dingewood
House
Miss Fraser was dispensing tea to her
grace the Duchess. of Hattorough and
one OF two other people. She received
Mrs. Thorngate in the werm, pretty
fashion she always assumed before Jack s
mother.
"How good of you to come! Dear
mamma will be so pleased to see you !!
Thanks, she Is really better this afternoon
at least l hope 50. Oh she frightened
NE terribly when. she fell down In that
fairting fit! did not waIt her 70 60,
but she would do il. Mr.. Rochfort,
will you come and sit aerc? Dear god
mamma, may l introduce Mr. Beverley
Rochiort to you? He has just come back
from foreign parts, and will entertain
you. ] am sure. ~
The duchess moved her arrle skirts
so that Beverley might sit down. Lord
John was speaking very plainly and earn
| estly.
"Sheila," he said, as he drew the girl
apart from tie rest for a moment, "how
comes that man here?'
What man? oh, Mr.. Rochfort
WIZ he is dear Mrs. Thorngate's nephew.
! Stupid Jack, as If you DID not know
| that
81 did not know it, or I saould not
have asked the question. have never
seen him down here before, and l have
| never heard Mrs. Thorngate speak of
him"
"Oh, he is her JOY and her beloved.
cali him handsome, don't you? But, of
course, no man ever aomires another; /
forgot"
"Whoever he may be, I know him as
one of the greatest blackgnards 1t has
ever been my lot to meet"
Good gracious, Jack, how awful; and
Mr. Thorrsate clergyman, too!'
"Mr. ThornSate has nothing TO do
with him. I doubt If he would ever let
HIM inside his house If he fnew as much
about him as do"
Beverley was in the 5est OF spirits.
He lad carefully seted that whispered
conference at the fire, just as he had
roted fiat Lord John Glendurwood did