The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-07-18
CHAPTER VI.

Mrs. Thorngate the following afternoon,
as the wears wife was returning from
some of her parochiai minstcrings.
"What is wrong with herr" she asaed
DIR. Sentance, anxiously, as she met him
ridiDS homeward.
II confess she puzzles me-" he answer
ed. 81 sounded the heart this morning,
and, except for extremely weak action, l
can trace no definite signs of malady."
II think l will go on to Dinglewood
and see her." Mrs. ThorDsate said to
herself, as she was alone again. Con-
stance Fraser and shs were warm friends.
II want to see howCehat CHILD is getting
on, tco."
She was just passing her own gate as
she thought of this, and was suddenly
astonished by being confronted by a
yonns man, who proceeded to fold his
arms about her and kiss her cheek most
heartily.
swell, Aunt Agatha, here am once
again, you see," said a soft, singularly
pleasant voice.
Beverley, my dear boy! How you
Thorngate fairly gaspsd for heath.
Poor Aunt Agatha! What shame |!
I am awfully sorry, dear. thought You
saw me. Come in and sit down, you
dear old thing. Where's Uacle Gus7
Mrs. Thorngate allowed herself to be
led W to the rectory by the strong arm.
Her surprise was vanishing and only
pleasure remained. Beverley come home
once again! She could scarcely believe
It Beverley, that dear, handsome, scape;
grace son of her dead and gone, yet still
beloved sister, Margaret! Mrs. Thorn
gates child-bereft heart cl:ng to this
young man with the tenacry of an Ivy
plant. He was, after her husband, her
dearest and most treasured possession on
earth. Once inside the cozy dining room
she embraced him warmly.
"Let me look at you, darling," she
'sald- holding him of at arms length and
feast;ng her eyes on his extremely hand
some face, with its dark orbs. olive skin.
.clear-cnt features and short-cropped
beard. "Oh, nay dear! I am glad to
isee you once more. You Dad creature,
never to have written me a line all these
months And now you want something
TO eat, and there is nothing Gtccnt In the
house"
''Iou will sit down and take your ease.
have already ransackcd the larder, and
with very good results. Iolr cold beef
was beyond reproach, my ielr aunt"
& Mrs. Thorngate laughed.
: ''How good it Is to see you in your
old chair" she said. tenderiy. How
wish Gus was at home
"Hc will be back in n few Gays, sup
pose?" Beverley Rochfert observed cas-
tually, after having learned the reason
his uncle being away. TO an onlooker
lit might easily have been perceived that
ythe young man had ne very great regret
Sin the rector's absence; but Mrs. Thorn
gate did not observe it.
, "And now you. will make up your mind
10 stay with us, will you not, my dearest?
I j can assure you we are MT very dull
down here, now: we have the Duchess of
Marlborough, with the Marquis Of Iverne,
and Lord John Glendurwood at Craig
Lands The Frasers are at pinglewood :
the Everests settled in Glaston for the
hunting; no end of smart people one
way and another"
Beverley smiled complacentiy and
istroked his short, silky 1card. Since
!necessity would force him % make the
lrectory his headquarters for at least
some few months, he was not at all
,ayersc to hearing his aunt's Lsws:
II am not surprised they should come
SHere: 1t Is good country. l don't
snow better, and have Travelled
Through good many in my lime. sup
lrose l can get sort of mount in either
Giaston or Montberry?"
''No need TO so so far" s'niled Mrs.
IThorE gate. Your uncle has two hunt
Eers in the stables, and he will be inf
Initely obliged to any one who will give
them a little exercise, more especially
las he cannot be here to use them himself.
Would you like to go and nave look at
them, my dear boy? You will find Pot
tier still in the Stablcs; in fact, very
little is changedd4 - the year and half
ION have been away"
II don't mind if do. But where are
you off to-"
r Mrs. ThorAgatc explained her reasons
1or going to Di@Slewood.
az think | will leave the horses, and
accompany YOU" he said; 1T is just as
well to resume acquaintanc 20 ship with the
folk around"
And SO. chatting languidly in his soft,
musical voice, Beverley iochfort walked
through the muddy lanes 20 Dinglewood.
He remembered he had made distinct
impi ession on Sheila Fraser when he met
her before, and. although he lad no def
mite plans in his mind, he felt he should
be wise to renew the friendship with this
extremely wealthy young woman.
He let Mrs. Thorngate's oaeery tongue
run on, and was not very communicative
about himself.
''Just back from the Cape" ne OBJ
served, when his aunt pinned him OF
this point, "pnd an uncomfortable time
/ have had 6f it. Gold mines, indeed !!
Moe like treadmills. Never worked SO
hard in my life, and nothing for 1t :"
He laughed softly. Aunt agatha, l
have come home with empty pockets!'
A slirht shade passed over Mrs Thern-