Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-01-22
Hidden
. Perils
BY MARY CECIL HAY
BY MARY CECIL HA Y
.%<*%*%@*
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)

lave q little talk. ! must be nome hSaii
before papa is up and about, or else
A light dawned upon Abram as h
caught the ominous compression OF tn
child's lips. "Why, you don't mean tt
tell me you are at home unbcknown tt
papa"
'.Oh, that ham, cried Lorraine, dis
appearing with suspicious promptitude
"Mr. Bartle,'' she explained, regretfully
when she presently returned with it, =.
is burned l wish Mrs. Winnipeg hadn't
put it down quite so early
II fear how it is" he said, in a vexe1
tone, yet slipping one arm tenderly rouno
the slight restless form beside him. al
they angry with you at home!
"How can they be angry when papa
doesn't know? Una would never be an
cry wirh me. Only the worst OF 1t is, She
and Miss SheHford are frightened about
it all the time, worrying like. They won't
take any enjoyment out of me; they
will make themselves miserable thinking
they ought to tell papa. It's not very
much wonder, though" resumed the child,
sagely, because he hates mt to be here,
or to be away from Aunt Farrissey, be-
cause she is to leave her money and ev-
eFyNlInK 10 SOHle Ol us, ~ IL Inns "N
at least, papa thinks So"
"Papa's very fond of you," said Abram,
with supreme confidence, though his hand
fell an instant pityingly on the child's
head. .
Fond Of me! Oh, l wish he was !!
I'd give up everything else in the world,
II he would be. I often think it would
be enough happiness to last a year, if he'd
only once look at me as he often and often
looks at Una. OF course, I'm very diff
ferent from Una but I've seen a father
IN London quite as fond of his naughty,
ugly child, as of his good, pretty one.
You see, we are both papa's own children,
and hi might forget the difference be-
tween us, and love me just a little. l
wouldn't ever ask for such love as he
gives Una, only a little. But he never
will care for me. Nobody ever will but
Una and-you, perhaps, Mr.. Bartle."
"Me, Perhaps" replied Abram, dryly.
The child was close within his arms now,
and could not see his face.
''Una often says" continued Lorraine,
that it is best So. l don't
know what she means, but l ex-
pect, perhaps, she thinks if anybody loved
1t WOulu lux lSItiiCt y" uhIOILi
fortableness. Do you think so, Mr.. Bar
Highly probable, and in that case, of
course, you are better without the love;
so don't you go and give any away either,
except that enormous quantity you offer
Up at Miss Una's shrine"
But, Mr.. Bartle, l love you a good
lcal, too"
II should hope so,'' exclaimed the old
nan. honestly ''and is that ALI"
I'm afraid So" replied the child re-
sretfully, .'only, Mr.. Bartle, l want to
lsk you a question. You know Mr..
Trenham. don't your
Yes"
do you like him?"
Yes"
II thought you would put in Lor-
'aine. apparently relieved. I'm very
Had"
Then I presume you like him, too?"
IL asked, watching with amusement the
Of the child's face.
"Well, you see. l never saw him till
night. because I've been away SO
much and so has he. Yes. l like him
Ike him awfully. l shouldn't mind mar
.ying him"
"Your intention Is to marry, then I?
"Of course; all grown up ladies do.
Oh. MI. Bartle, I see Mrs. Winnipeg
Where shall I hide? She will
10 scold me-"
"Never mind you have stood it often
for it not to kill you, Gypsy"
But, before the consolatory speech was
ended, Abram was alone. Lorraine had
disappeared, like the wind, through a
loor which led into the back premises,
md Judith came on hastily up the front
Rourke Trenham on his way to town
.aught sight of a small dark object in a
Dose haystack. and following up the clew,
he found it to be a half buried head,
.rowned quite as thickly with dusty hay
is with short, rufled hair. From the
warm grave from which this small OBJ
ect p%rotruded, the figure attached to it
use with u difficulty which took much
the dignity which it strove to as
at sight of him.
II say" began Rourke. offering n
.trong helping hand, you are wanted in
he house.
The child shrank back from him in
;tantly. q bafled, hunted look in her eyes,
Ter delicate brows drawn with a sudden
'.Not papag
"Not papa returned Rourke, encour-
Though it soon may be; I'd al
forgotten that. Look here, Lor-
he added, with a look almost of
anxiety on his careless brown face. us
! ,,orx, iroporfapf fhat yoll should MT
.ome across your fathery'
Most important replied Lorraine,
till keeping at a safe distance from him,
Lorraine. it is all up, l fear; you
is here, and has heard you are
lhx,nt the place. He must have heard it
IN lis way /; at any rate, he knew it when
lie came. Poor old Mr.. Bartle is in a
ad state! He is keeping back Mr.. Cav
ston in his search but, unfortunately,
Judith has instituted one on her own ac-
cunt. Now, listen"
I'm listening with all m might and
was the quick, muffied answer
rom above.
"When they are safely in here, I'll
lose the door and keep them in CONVEX
alton before I let them come near the
adder. That's to give you those few
minutes. Can you manage in that time
. escape, and get out of sight on your
yay toward home! Una IS there expect
Nc you"
II can do It."
.Don't be rash in. your spring, hut
Ionst waste q moment. Start when you
ear me say your name. I'll take you
{ shall Be loud enough to reach You, and