Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-05-08
A CROWN or FAITH


is quite incapable Of such a crime it was
not his figure which / saw flying away
and leaping the palings before / tainted,
after the blow. But let us talk of other
things. Will you take that brooch and
bracelet to your sister, with my devoted
love? They are not diamonds or rubies,
only gold, set with pearls and paie-pink
topaz design l chose myself"
Soon after this Lionel was on his way
to Wycherly Park; the case with the
Jewels was safely slowed away in his
pocket. He strobe through the woods
where the February sunshine was stream
ing between the naked boughs. A turn
In the gath, and Lionel came upon Ella
Wycherly-Ella, in green velvet, with n
high crowned hat, and waving, black
featherv-Ella, with cheeks aelow, and
eyes glittering, and red lips apart, not
smiling.
Mr.. Leigh. have you heard the news?"
"It concerns you You are about to
be married, Miss Wycherly! /"
1T is something infinitely less pleas
ant than that, and it concerns you, my
good German master 1t Is an impor-
tant thing now, since it SO concerns
that fashionable costume of my worthy
instructor y for you are worthy-are you
not monsieur good and learned, wise
and philosophical, fitted to become the
instructor Of erring, faulty youth-the
guide, philosopher and friend Of giddy
pates, empty heads, dancing dolls, pout-
ing babies. like myself"
She sprang about as she spoke, exc
Itcuted a back step as if she were taking
a dancing lesson, then stood suddenly
still, and drew a long face-at least, a
face as long as 1t was possible to manu-
facture out of her rosy, dimpled, piquant
p~hysiognomy.
Il am an unworthy specimen Of young
ladyhood, sir" she said. speaking in a
nasal twang. 81 shock your notions of
propriety, Mr.. Leigh. If L had my scent
case I would offer 1t to you, for you
possibly may faint, and that would be
so awkward"
Lionel laughed, but his voice trembled
nervously. He was desperately, madly
in love with this fascinating, wild crea-
ture, and she was hooking MIN. He was
amused, enchanted, tormented, all at the
same time.
Whatever impelled Ella to tease her
tutor so, 1t is difficult to imagine. Was
it simply the outburst of high animal
spirits, and the triumph of an e~xultant
vanity? or was it a mask assumed to
hide deeper feelings? or was it a genuine
and cruel love of making a captive feel
her power and smart under it?
The tide of passionate love which had
been swept away for a few moments from
Lionel's heart, by the cold blasts of
Elias sarcasm, rushed back ngain impetu-
ously, and e~ngulfed his whole being.
ELLA! ~ he said hoarsely-Ella ~
She started she turned pale she drew
herself up, cold and naughty as a statue.
Listen! Stepsi Somebody pulling
aside the branches! Do not speak y
And Ella glided away down a side
path, leaving the tutor with his face /!
blanched by c%ontending emotions. He
glanced u~neasily about, not knowing
where to go, or what to do. IIe dared
not follow Ella.
Was she offended? Had her haughti-
ness taken offense2 He walked ON al
most s%ullenly toward the Hal. Turn
ing round a huge withered trunk Of an
oak, which obstructed the path, he en- !,
countered a tall, sinewy fgure-a man in
a gray suit, with a blue velvet cap pull
ed low over his forehead, His shaggy
light eyebrows met in a puzzled frown.
Suddenly he raised his deep-set eyes,
ard they flashed kindly recognition on
the German tutor.
Hello! Mr.. Leigh. The top of the
morning. to you. I was looking for you.
I have a proposal to make to you" DIR.
Dundas came and linked his arm in that
OF Lionel. walk back with me. You
are not in a hurry, are you? Z"
Not very much; only the lesson Miss
Wycherly-
"Ah! well /; she can wait. I have a pro-
posal to make to you. Should you like
to come and reside at Wycherly Hall?'
Lionel's heart gave a great bound, then
thumped madfy against his side. He was
afraid that the doctor would notice his
emotion.
"You take me by surprise" he said.
"Of course ! do; but there is nothing
to be alarmed at. The facts are simply
these Colonel Wycherly has no male heir,
and there is q vast property attached to
Wycherly-more than Miss Wycherly can
have need Of, and, under ordinary circum-
stances, she might become the prey of
fortune hunters. That young lady Is
headstrong-very headstrong."
He paused a moment, and glanced very
keenly at Lionel, with the deep-set, keen,
sarcastic eyes.
1--WE will guard her from all adventur-
ers; but the colonel has come to the wise
decision that ninety thousand a year is a
preposterous fortune for a girl. Thus, she
might marry a duke but Mrs. Wycherly
is a very peculiar person /; and so, in fact,
twenty thousand a year is to be Elias
portion, with her mother as guardian. Els
tates to the value of seventy thousand,
including Wycherly, are to descend by will
to one Graves Power. a seventh or eighth
cousin Of the colonel. We nave had
some trouble to rake this gentleman up
but he is found at length. He is coming
to reside at Wycherly, with his mothers
full consent, his mother being a widow
And he is to marry Miss Wycherly? 2"
Indeed. no. He is a boy of nine, and
I wish you to be his tutor. The boy Is
delicate. He has been at a large public
school, is Industrious, and has overwork-
cd and l want to give him twelve
months fishing, and shooting, and riding,
under the care of an intelligent tutor, who
won't let him carry his gun dangerously,
nor swim. after a full meal, nor sit with
his feet in the stream, and a blazing July
sun on his head. / want You to teach
him English and grammar and spelling
and, French md German. which have all
been neglected Mt his great public school;
and then he will be a young. merry com
paniun fur Hiia.. POOR child 4. ! she reeds
a romp sorely; and if You come, Mr..