Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-02-28
. SMILING VILLAIN.
By VIOLET M. FLINN.

ing that once for a few days i was per-
suaded to be engaged to YOU"
His face grew livid under her scorn,
her plain speaking. He made a step for
ward and seized her wrist.
flake care that Is not the only shame
you feel, Moyra Beresford y he said
threateningly. You hold your head high
now. Take care it does not sink to the
ground when it is known whom you love
and have had under you roof
"Nhat do you meang' she asked,
shrinking from the malignant light in his
blazing eyes. How dare you threaten
me? Tiff Terry were here he would
knock you down.
Cor Robertson, either, I surTose you
imagine, you silly, deiuded fool" he an
swered quickly. In the moonlight he
saw the color rush to Moyra's face, then
ebb away, leaving her very pale. Yet her
gaze did not falter. 1T is village talk
how he went to church so regularly, how
he helped at this meeting and the other,
and was hand-in- glove with you all, and
was such a good young man. Ha, ha 1t
was a new character for Angus Robertson
to take. He generally prefers-picking
up--other peoples supernuous property
N84#| Ibtlt * ma = i5s ."a' ~ sSN'
Angus a thief! 1t is a lie"
rs it? I think not" lie had grown
very calm and deliberate; there was a
he looked at the girl. ."rhe famous dia-
monds have disappeared Moyra started
violently. Curious, isn't it? Especially
when Mr.. Agnus Robertson was seen
lurking about the house last night, yet
made no open appearance, although he
was an invited guest. Curious too, isn't
it, that he always alludes to his father
as the chief and that is the name by
which the head of a certain-shall we
say y-disposed ?-band Of
thieves is always known? Curious too,
isn't it, that he should nave appeared in
this locality just after the Fentons came!
Curious, isn't it'-speaking still more de-
liberately-.that he should give you,
whom he. evidently admires-and as
Sandy Agnus,' his favourite nickname
amongst his fellows, has had consider
able experience of the fair sex, yasu may
feel hattered by his approval-that he
has given you as a trinket of no value a
costly jewel that probably cost him moth
ing beyond a little trouble and a fair
amount Of risk?"
"Stop!, Moyra exclaimed. She stood
for a second unable to speak her tongue
seemed powerless. Il do not believe you,'
she said, with a gasp.
"Of course not he answered sheer
ingly. you are as prejudiced in his
favor as you are against me, and yet !
speak the truth. His father is, and has
been for years, the head of a secret soci-
ETY. Of ne'er-do-wells, of broken-down
Of im%pecunious clever men,
vino want to be rich with as little ex-
ertion as possible, and generally succeed
by playing upon the i%ncredulity Of brain
less fools. They play a big game Of
my dear Mayro, and, being en-
eineered by a very clever man, for ! ac-
that both Robertsons are Gle
verer than they look, they usually hold
the trump cards. They certainly have
In the case Of the Fenton diamonds"
.sHow do you know all this?" Moyra
demanded slowly. She felt stunned and
confused, yet she held desperately to her
own idea-it was all a lie,
Bertram laughed again rather noisiy.
I'm his time a man plays many parts,
dear Moyra. In my time / have been a
New York newspaper reporter, and as
such have had-agninst their wishes, I
entree into the Fair Division
Society," as the elder Robertson has hui
morously designated his followers.
When l returned from town and discoy-
cred Mr.. Agnus Robertson in your house,
I acknowledge that I was very much sur
prised."
'.Then why did you not speak? Why
did you not tell US what you say now ~
SHOULD l have been believed? Do you
believe me new? 4 @hasitated because I
could not imagine why he was In Eng
land at all. and, having hesitated-"
He shrugged his shoulders. II am sorry
for Mr.. Fenton though. He'll never see.
diamonds again
"And / pray that / shall never see you
or hear Of you again" Movra retorted,
stung into anger "Yos. shall certainly
never enter our house again, you-you
sneak, you traitor Do you think / be-
lieve you? You could not speak the truth
you never lave done 50 r.
She stayed for some time alone in her
room when she reached home, until she
was composed enough to face the sharp
eyed critics in the schoolroom. Supper
was ready on the table. Lulu had had
hers and was fast asleep in bed. The
remainder of the family, augmented by
Vera, were still excitedly discussing the
latest phase Of the robbery, although not
even the slightest clue had been found.
They were all sitting near the FIRE except
Aileen, who was pretending to read at
the table. Bride, wrapped in a big shawl,
sat in her accustomed corner, looking
wretchedly i'll and miserable. Moyra sat
down beside her. but Bride turned her
head away, q deep flush overspreading
her face.
CHAPTER XXIv.
"What a lot of white-faced things you
girls are tonight w Terry remarked sud-
denly, starting c~ontemplatively from one
sister to another. You all look as
washed out as boiled owls. Moyra has
evidently net a ghost in the avenue,
Aileen went for a walk and lost her
temper, and lis to Bride. she looks like
a widow. she's so doleful."
Don't tease her, Terry Moyra said,
hearing a half-suppressed sob from Bride.
II expect we are all in the dolefuls. Vera
and Delda look all right
why, they've been muttering together
like a couple of conspirators all the even-
ing. Its my belief they've something on
!. ~ . - 49, - - c---...-