Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-03-27
a CROWN or FAITH
CHAPTER !.

CHAPTER !.
Nearly all the lights were extingu!sied
n private dwellings In the town OF ABB
botshold. There had been an agriciii-
turnl dinner al the Black Wolf" a pic
, turesque. ffiany.gabled inn, which stood
| opposite tie western entrance Of the an
! ciert Abbey church. 1t was a ghostly
| old inn, with its wide window places, high
mantelpieces, odd t~hrec-corncrei rooms,
losg passages, and unsnspacted enpboards.
John Clayton, the present landlord. had
| Inherited it from his father. who, in his
turn, had Inherited it from hts father,
| and he again from his. In short. TEE
"Black Wolf" had been in possession Of
, the ClaytoIs for two hundred years, ~
| was the inosr comfortable inn in Abbots-
hold. The sleeping accommodations, the
fires, the CLEANLINESS recommended II tar
md wide. ere WIS a pl..n9, motherly
IniiG.ady.
THE Eues.s ar rhe d.naer lad departed,
I've two, anu close two sat each on q
low, loung.ng chair before Il brilliant fire.
Baskets and plates OF choice fruit, hot
house flowers in great china vases, yet re-
manned on the long table.
Both of the lingering guests were
young; each was -singnlarly handsome.
The elder was fair, with golden mustache,i
light curling hair, A finely cut mouth, a
straight profile, large blue eyes-quite an
Adonis OF the blond order. Anybody
who understood the signs and distinctions
OF the various spheres Of society could
divine at a glance that this gentleman
belonged to the upper classes. -aristoc-
racy was set upon him like a seal, from
the crown of his handsome head to the
soles Of his well-ftting boots. Notwith-
standing, there was a daring in his man
ner, a look In his bold blue eyes which
spoke eloquently Of the life Of the man
OF the world. lie smiled at his com
panion as he said:
.|Tell me your history, life and adven-
lures, expectations, ambitions, loves and
hatreds. Now is your time. | am just
In the mood for a good love story. ! am
the most romantic fellow in the world"
The other young man had deep-set gray
eyes, luminous and full Of earnest pow
err. His complexion was brown, his fea-
lures nobly cast. A black mustache con-
ceased the short upper lip, but the lower
one and the chin were nodded as by a
Greek sculptor. He was tall, an athlete,
wiry, muscular. Keen intelligence min
gled with romantic fervor. Here was a
powerful brain, a fervid imagination, a
most passionate heart.
He looked down at his boots-rather
worn boots, IL the truth must be told for
Lionel Leigh was poor a teacher of for
eiga languages and classics in the town
Of Abbotshold and the villages surround
ing. The remuneration he received was
small, except in one or two instances.
He was fonder of art and knowledge than
OF dress. AL his spare cash went for
books and e~ngravings. 1t was understood
that he proposed reading for a degree,
and he was looked upon in that country
district with a species of wonder, mixed
with a Neutrality-suspicious. pity.
i do not believe in your capacities for
romantic feeling, said Lionel. There is
20 much Of the cynic about you, and you
are materialistic. and pleasure LOVING, and
money ~loying-are you not?"
III ! am, returned the other. laugh
Ing. II love what ! haven't got. Look
here, my dear friend! not 1 csnt-not the
shadow Of ! copper-not a mite to place
In a poor box, with the self-complaisant
feeling that 1 have given up my all
and the a~ristocratic looking young man
turned out his pocket Innings. See!
not even an empty purse; I had one of
silver cnairppnrkZena8I 49,: absolutely
compelled to send it, in the company Of
q ten-carat, snowy guard chain,a an old
silver snuff box, and a garnet seal ring,
to enjoy the society Of that useful rela-
tive, popularity known BY the afectionate
title Of uncle Its all my own fault,
too. How I shall pay my expenses here
at this good inn-where l have boarded
and lodged at tho expense Of the fatherly
Clayton for d whole neutrality-suspicious.
alone knows !"
Lionel looked at his companion, his
face flushed.
Mr. harrington" ~ eaid. syon lnyited
me to dine. I thought you ! man 81 prop
erty. might have Known that an earl's
cousin would not have made himself equal
with q poor professor, unless he had Al
ready dropped out Of his own sphere,
and he rendered the money.
.Ungracious man cried Harrington,
pocketing the money, notwithstanding,
and laughing but I will invite you to
dinner every night for Z week soon, and
siye you everything that costs money. l
shall BE- rolling in wealth 0 tumbling
head over heels In coin. What do you
say to thirty thousand Z year,
.sIf I had the sixth part d Il, I should
with exceeding JOY; but explain"
''The fact IL" he said, II am I sad
fellow, y over whose misdeeds al the
old gpinstcrs in d country town would
n ii the magnificent house q an earl.
I have : brother older than myself, who
will, II virtue Of seniority, take titles
Asps. to begin with, : little disguised me
10y AAf-.. t-HAn~~~S sa.A 49,. k.~Ah>-t-