Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-08-28
CHAPTER XIV

CHAPTER XIV
"Oh, yes, l think you WILL" says Sill
/ Lucien, coming forward and addressing
Amber. Il quite sure you will" He haC
only heard the last sentence of the con
versation between Deane and Amber.
81 don think 3d." coldly.
when l tell you all the facts of the
case" says Sir Lucien, still very agree
ably, II I'M sure you will see you way
| to another answer. The fact is that your
cousin here knows something about those
lost stones OF our house, that your poor
mother was entrusted with in a weak mo-
ment, by my father-and|"
"Pray spare yourself the trouble of
| going into it," says Amber, with a won
derful calm. II know all about it! Mr..
Deane,' with q glance at him from under
naughty. haIf-closed lids that should have
withered him, MIR. Deane knows where
those jewels are. on which you nave set
your heart, and the price he sets On their
delivery to you is--me. Well" turning
family upon them, with grief and tears
and terror and reproach in her beautiful
eyes, II am not for sale!"
"You forget one point" says Sir Lu-
CIth, Ills olSC PClICStiy III 4 10 ~
clear your fathers memory that we desire
this thing. If Mr.. Deane can produce
these gems, then the suspicion of your
fathers having made away with them is
at an end. II you marry this most esti-
to let me know where the stones are CON
cealed. You see how the case lies" He
looks at her for the first time fully. "You
will consent?"
NO." says Amber, for the second time.
Her tone is fuller now. however. and
much stronger.
You refuse! !" Sir Lucien's face of at
fected suavity now clouds into a sort of
fury. "You refuse! who have been re
ported .s SO .rx;ens fer the clearing of
your fathers memory in this matter"
MY father" says the girl clearly,
at the expense cf my own happiness. He
lifts her eyes to Sir Lucien's-"you, who
have never loved anyone, cannot, of
course, understand this"
"Hypccrite !" cries Sir Lucien furious
ly. You, who have paraded your longing
to see your fathers memory made sweet,
now, when tAs chance comes to you, re-
fuse to use it."
II am no bypocr:ts." says the girl,
standing straight and firm before him. II
am no sycophant either. I feel-she
turns and takes q step away from them
II shall be better at home. Brian look
ing back ~imperiously at Deane, "go and
bring the dog-cart for me as soon as you
can" Sir Lucien is about to give a hasty
consent to this order, when his glance
happens to fall on Deane. The strange,
~ferhidding, but handsome face is dark
with anger a stronger, more dangeroue
anger, than even the girls refusal to
marry him had called forth. AS he looks
the older man gasps the truth. Any in
suit to Amber-will be deeply, violently
resented by this strange, uncouth man.
mo, no. exclaims Sir Lucien, with q
gesture of his hands. II shall not allow
you. my guest, my-niece-to leave
my house before your visit has come to an
end. There is no need for such violent
temper on your part
She is silent. War is raging within her
between love and pride. To go is
to satisfy the latter. To stay is to sat
isfy her love! oh! to be with him for
even a few hours longer To see him, to
be heal him though never, never, can he
be more to her han he is now. That he
loves her, she knows. Her clear, sweet
instinct has brought that home to her.
though not a word has been said by him
to her that she can dream upon. Nothing,
except that kiss upon her hand last night.
What magic lay in it! what wondrous
charm! she-she alone can tell.
And because of that sweet knowledge,
and with its power full upon her, she
wrestles with, and overcomes her pride,
and. as all true lovers will, lets love stand
triumphant
"As you wish,' returns she coldly, to
Sir Lucien. MY visit, however, will be
over in a few days.
I'm the meantime says Sir Lucien,
who is afraid of Deane's frowning watch
fitness, you will, l hope, understand
that you are a very welcome guest within
my DOORS"
She lifts her eyes to his for a moment;
it is a little time, but his sink before hers.
Then, turning away from both men, she
is soon lost amongst the trees and bushes.
"A troublesome subject" says Sir Luz
Glen, Struggling his shoulders as she dis
appears, and turning to Deane, whose
gaze is still fixed on the corner where the
last inch or so of her gown had been seen.
lyon have courage, mr. good Deane You
might make 4 better bargain with me. per-
ha6ps.
.sHer or nothing y The answer comes
clear and stern. Sir Lucien suppresses
very ~cleverly an expression Of deep dis
gust. What fools some men arr, he tells
himself. and Ill for the sake q . woman.