Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-01-15
CHAPTER I.

n SOLITARY mousse, StdnuluS suudIe al
rigid in the deepening dusk of the Marc
evening and, from one of it's lower vii
dows, the freight struggling behind tt
glass to brighten Il pair OF wide youn
eyes which were peering out, and to tax
for IN instant into its warm and pitifr
embrace a little chill form which pressc
closely to the panes.
1t was a wonder, too, that the fireligh
should care to struggle out in the dark
ness, when there were such comfortable
quarters for it indoors.
SO Lorraine Galveston thought. as sh'
gazed in upon the warm, well-furnishet
room, and felt how little she should care
to leave 1t if once she could effect a SAT-
and secure entrance.
On a low chair before the fire, holding
her white, idle hands between her face
and the flame, sat a girl Of sixteen, with
a gentle, delicate face, bright, fair hair,
and a slight, graceful figure, womanly
enough already to show that its growing
days had passed. A very pretty picture
Una Gaveston, sitting thus in her pleas
ant firelit sitting room, would have made
to any eyes but to those %envious ones
beyond the window panes it was a picture
full Of exquisite beauty, and warmth and
happiness and love.
With a passing vexation on her face,
the little watcher drew hurriedly back
when the room door was opened from
without to admit a maid servant carrying
in the tea. The child noted how her elder
sister turned her head to speak, and she
could guess how gentle and how kline
the words would be; then she waited, 81
lent and motionless, until the maid had
left the room again. Would it be safe to
venture now?
Again the door was opened, and Una.
g%overness entered, a pleasant looking,
~gray-haired lady, whose first act was to
lay a caressing hand on Una's cheek. The
child started forward, as if the chilliness
without had suddenly become unbearable
TO her, and tapped quickly on the window
pane. Una and Miss Shefford started
back. alarmed for a moment; then, see
ing the face at the low window, they let
the child into the warmth. and light, and
shelter.
where's papaT
"Gone to Rohve to dine. He will be
away all the evening"" Miss Shefford
answered; while Una, laughing, yet al
most crying, too, caught her little sister
in her arms and kissed her. All the eau
ton. all the unsatisied longings were
gone from the child's face now. She
danced about the room and cried, "Oh,
joy oh. joyl'-and flung her arms
around her sisters neck and kissed the
grave old lady, and won such an excited
brilliance in her eyes that Miss Shefford
caught herself wondering almost sadly at
the difference which happiness could make
In the child.
but what does it all mean, Lorraine ~
asked her sister, anxiously. How did
you come? What about Aunt Farrissey?'
by train from London. and never
mind about Aunt Farrissey," returned
the child, impatiently. II won't have her
ugly old name mentioned. I'm come,
that's quite enough for you to know, and
to nave to keep secret. May I have, tea?
Oh! Una. If I could always be with"
The words were broken of abruptly,
and the child shrank back, a sudden pale
ness oversprending her small gypsy face,
for q footstep was advancing along the
passage.
Una Followed her with a smile. Don't
be startled, dear. 1t is Rourke Trenham,
l expect. He generally comes here when
papa goes to Hohve to dine with Mrs.
Trenham. It's a relief to him TO get
away"
From his motherY" questioned Lor-
raine. without advancing.
well, she isn't his own mother, you
know. Do you forget these things?"
II forget nothing" was the emphatic
answer.
Rourke Trenham heard it as he entered
the room, and, tracing 1t to its source,
gazed ~astonished at the muffled figure of
the child still drawn back in the recess;
and for the few moments that he did so
her eyes were fixed upon him with DELHI
crate inquisitiveness. So they stood
through those moments OF their first meet
ing, and never through all the after years
could one Of them forget the thought
which lny behind that gaze. nor could the
other bear to recall it.
II believe you two nave really never
met BEFORE" said Una, taking her little
sisters hand: but, Rourke, you surely
know enough of Lorraine to need no in
reduction
Miss Shefford turned away. smiling at
the unaffected. old-fashioned speech of the
girl of sixteen.
Lorraine, is it? Oh l know all about
her. How do you do? You certainly look
rather dishevelled and seedy," remarked
Rourke. with a laugh in his eyes, as he
shook the small, cold hand, ''but l hope
you are pretty we'll
Lorraine, coming forward to enjoy the
fire. in a spirit of sudden friendliness in
formed him that she was as we'll at she
could desire, and moreover that she had
run away.
And how long do you intend to stayg
AS long as / can keep hidden from
papa.
..Oh, hush, Lorraine, dear. cried Una,
laying her fingers on her little sisters
restless lips. sit sounds almost wicked;
we must tell papa"
But I shall be more comfortable II
w make an agreement. Suppose you
promise me not to tell. n | promise to
do the next thing as YOU ask me.
"A most tempting Offer raused Rourke,
trhing his own seat opposite Inn, and
not terms to kbe lightly rejeesed. IL
turn II over in ms mind
q .aAIi, welismade Allow OF twenty
Years: his head set Issbly ou his shoui-