Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-04-16

guperci1ouS gesture toward the inne
room, I'VE can leave the nurse in charge.
Miriam cannot need care for NOR
than a few hours longer, Rhoda,' SAT-
Athol with u haughtiness which wa
most unusual to him. Whether the nois!
scene Mt which yor have assisted haI
hasteLcd this, l leave you to judge"
Il am waiting to witness your dc
parture from my cottage, DIR. Yere," sale
Newley, his voice as quiet as Athol.
own, but the veins rising ominously II
his forehead. And to me this time !:
valuable"
But for the thought of Lorraine wait
ing, and Rourke's baby ailing. Atho
would have waited and defied this man
As it was. lac left the room quietly, ant
Newley, following him out. closed thu
door smilingly behind them both.
"Qualms,' smiled Newley, as the TIVE
men assitated a moment in the little
garden--"qualms about "A quarrel in tina
old woman's place. Bnt you need have
no such sickly fancies where l an con,
cerned. No power could make me quar-,
rel with you, any more than with your
ruined friend down there"
And then Newley. in his careless glance
toward Winterield, caught sight of Lor'
raine's figure slowly lessening on the wide,
bare drive. which the young trees could
not shade. Athcl saw the start he gave
and detected the tone of jealous anger
when he spoke next.
pleasant, that, to ave a young lady
waiting for yon while you condole the
sick and dying-crtting the process short,
perhaps, for that agreeable reason. l
would not go on to Winterield, if l were
you, il your journey is to see the master
there; for he must pass here il he goes
home tonight. I intend to wait here to
see him, and l advise you to do the
sa me"
Your conduct cannot influence mine
in any way" said Athol, his voice stirred
by passion as intense as Newley's. but
kept bravely under control. .
But, leisurely as he passed through the
garden gate, his heart was sick with a
nameless, keen %foreboding when he joined
Lorraine again. .aJ
They found Rourke's little boy tossing
rcstlcssly in his nurses arms; his lips
and checks hot and fevcrish. his voice
querulous and low. But there was moth
ing really the matter. DR.. We're said, with
his reassuring truthfulpess, as, laying his
cool hand on the child's forehead and
pulse. he sat beside the pretty crib where
he had laid him. Soon afterward, when
the bright eyes had closed in sleep, the
young physician rose and stood by the
fire. looking round the large, bright room.
HE Will probably not awake for six
or seven hours, Miss Shefford," he said;
Will cal, III again before | go
home. l cannot say when that will be,
old Miriam is very i'll, and ! may
be able to leave her soon; but when
l can l will come round. Trenham him
self will be at home then"
~ hope So" replied the old lady. be-
her own anxiety. "He has been
out ever since his return from London.
he came by the midday train. Has
MIR. Newley. too, returned ~to-day?
yes"
II wish he had not come" murmured
Miss Shefford, with il%l-concealed irrita-
Dility, land / don't like that horse Mr..
rrenham is riding. never did, though
[ never felt So"
''Vestris, do you mean?' put in DIR.
We're. &
o the window, and looking out into the
gathering uuSh ueNei 8
hat horse-even for him.
Even for him !" laughed Athol, cheer
". why. Miss Shefford, yestris is a
in T%renham's hands. And 1 verify
he could. as Mr.. Bartle said The
,ther day. guide her across the fallen
there across the brook"
'.But he looked so harassed and rest
continued the old lady from her
watching post. II could not hear to see
,im start, only that felt sure he was
coins TO Rupert's Rest. Lorraine. my
lear"-as the girl hurriedly rose--.are
ron not going to stay"
Mo-" she answered, shrinking n
title to Athol's side. with a timidity un-
usual with her not this evening, Miss
Shefford: but i will come as soon as
Ia ever ii sis light in the morning. Athol
lays there Is really no cause to be anx
about baby, else ! would stay"
Goodnight, Miss Shefford," said DIR.
ycrc I'VE shall be sure to meet Tren-
and we will hasten him."
Both Athol and Lorraine felt unac-
rountably uneasy about Rourke. yet
ventured to put in words even a
doubt, much less a fear.
Presently. in front Of them, a figure
from the shadow of the old trees
surrounding the lodge. and advanced slow
" toward them.
"Newley has been patient in his watch"
said Athol, with a laugh. which sounded
to Lorraine like a strangers laugh.
II wonder what he is so anxious to
say to Rourke tonight" she pondered,
at Horton Newley's figure, slight
and fashionably clad.
Something which | trust Gods mercy
may prevent his saying" replied Athol.
with grave earnestness. HE has return
ed flushed with triumph; Trenham has
returned depressed by defeat. From my
soul I pray they may not meet tonight"
.And I wish we need not meet" said
the girl, the passionate crimson chasing
the pallor from her cheeks as she rapidly
comprehended all that he both said and
left unsaid.
In another. moment they knew that
they were not to meet. As Newley walk
steadily toward them . sound broke
upon the stillness-the sound of q
horses tread behind. clear, distinct and
rapid.
Newley turned with easerness. It was
that We had beer waiting for
this. In the spot where he had halted
and turned. in the center Of the straight
carriage way 10 waited until Rourks
TrentAm, ON horyeback.a came from the
gloom anong the trees ont into the cold
and silvesy Ansk " the open Geld.
vestris came on, stepping daintily un-
der her MSrIdsr's hrm. skilled hand. until
she reached the spot where Newley stood
In her way. Then Rcslfke drew