Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-04-03
A CROWN or FAITH


Dick Barrington's love-making only the
previous night? And here was an heiress,
an enormously rich and exquisitely lovely
creature Of seventeen; and he loved her
madly and he was walking in a lonely
wood with her, and she had told him tnat
she liked him very much!
THE reasons I have for liking you, Mr..
Leigh, are manifold; but / will give you
two. You are good-looking; you are good.
natured. There is the summer house,
she said, pointing upwards toward some
steps, roughly hewn In the side OF a steep
bank, which sloped downwards to that
part Of the wood. mount those steps.
We shall be in the summer house In I'VE
minutes. Go on first"
And Lionel obeyed. He felt nike one
in a dream. He could not believe that he
was awake, and alive, and in his senses !
and yet that Ella Wycherly, the idol wor-
SHIPPED in the deepest deep OF his heart,
the shrined goddess of his alteration, the
being to be loved at a distance, never
addressed Familiarity, never approached as
an equal that Ella Wycherly was with
him alone, talking to him kindly, never
measuring the measureless distance mat
separated them, with so much as one
glance of hauteur, or one cold, conde-
scending word.
Alone with Ella Wycherly In her sum
mer house! What a charming room 1t
was! There was a bay-window looking
south over the park, and the undulating
country beyond a lovely landscape IN
summer, and even now, faded and gray
as were the woods and downs. There
were farm stacks, and red tiles, and a
k-JI J~..o & 1arJ fha thofnhnI rnnfl
of cottages, cleaning in the pale sun
shine, n dotting the scene with color.
"Sit down, Mr.. Leigh" said Ella, sink
ing into a chair and taking off her hat.
What would Miss Worthington say if she
saw us now!"
"Miss Wycherly, if I thought for a
moment that you compromised yourself
by this condescension-
please do hold your peace!" said
Ella "don't let us nave a word OF the
sort. / am afraid you think me an I'M
ladylike young lady, Mr.. Leigh?'
mo"
"When you understand me better, sir,
you will find me honest and truthful and
feminine enough, in all conscience. You
are so true a gentleman, sir-so high
minded, that there is ne need for poor
little me to assert my dignity. feel as
/; you were my wise elder brother, Mr..
Leigh"
"You nave no brothsr, Miss Wycherly?'
mo brother, and no sister. ! am alone
-alone-alone ]"
There was pathos, there was passion in
the young woman's voice, and there were
in her eyes tears, which sparkled in the
faint sunshine tina came in at the bay
window.
alone with parents, with wealth, with
friends
II nave no friends"
Lionel looked his Amusement. Was this
beautiful girl fooling him, or were there
truth and sorrow in the tones Of her
voice? That sweet voice had sunk to a
minor key. She clasped her hands tight
ly, and turned her fine face, aglow with
a strange excitement, toward the wide
bay-window and that landscape, warmed
by the feeting November sunshine.
II nave a great mind to make a conf
dant Of you, Mr.. Leigh-shall /? Tell
me, has mamma ever waxed at all the
very least confidential with your"
"Never once, Miss Wycherly."
"She may she may tell you a secret
some day If she does''-coming close to
him, and placing a slight hand or each
Of his shoulders, so that she could look |
into his eyes-"if she does, tell me-
Il will, indeed"
He trembled under her touch. He
would have forfeited ten Kingdoms, ten
crowns for the bliss of holding her one
instant-just one instant-against his
heart, and pressing one, only one, kiss
upon the red, beautiful lips but he re-
himself.
Suddenly they heard steps, quick and
impatient, outside. and the door burst
open unceremoniously. Miss Worthing-
ton, with her gold eye-glass, a large hat
On her head, came toward the table and
the remains Of the little luncheon. She
stood still, and stared at Lionel Leigh.
This is not the way to gain recon-
sir, from one family to an
other. I think / must hint to you that
Miss Wycherly will discontinue her Ger
man lessons"
Il shall not !" cried Ella decidedly; II
shall continue to learn German"
From a lady," said Miss Worthington.
mo; from Mr.. Leigh. I like Mr..
Leigh, Miss Worthington."
"Miss Wycherly, return to the house.
I wish to speak privately to this gentle
man"
Ella Wycherly turned her face toward
the door, her back upon Miss Worthing-
ton but she did not run down the steps
DO not scold Mr.. Leigh" she said. II
him-I made him come here
II I'm grieved, Miss WycherIy," cried
shat I took advantage Of your
kindness, II my doing so has caused blame
70 fall upon you" Then, turning toward
he stony face, sheltered by the great hat.
he continued Miss Worthington, / apol-
,gize most humbly to Miss Wycherly, to
To-
The English governess interrupted him
a wave of her hand.
III you please, Mr.. Leigh, we will dis
.uss this when that young lady Is gone
Is absent. Ella, gol SIR she said to
Lionel, II do not think any explanation
Fou can offer will justify your conduct
his morning. l take upon myself. sir, to
MORN you that your services as German
will no longer be required OF
Wycherly Hail."
Lionel bowed, took his hat, and walked
lway.
CHAPTER ".
Ella Wycherly did not 60 - the house.
She wandered about in the wood, and
hen took the road to the park, and found
lerself at length before those immense
ron gates, with the picturesque lodge to