Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-03-26
, Hidden
|. Perils
BY MARY CECIL HAY
CHAPTER Y

"A puiIiy, NV c'loDti siltI hVuu' JbS'
six weeks later on.
A small but beautifully kept lawn Il
Wih>erfeld caught the sunbcams on It's
many-tinted flowers. but tried in vain to
catch the dainty cloud-shadows as they
flew softly over its smooth green turf,
Up the graveled approach drove Lor-
raine Gaveston in her light, luxurious
pony carriage, hurrying because she
wanted to be in time to take her sister
for a drive on this sweet, calm afternoon.
But she was too late. The servant who
met her at the door told her that Mrs.
Trenham and Miss Shcfford, with the
nurse and baby. had been out for nearly
an hour The master was AT the Mar
rowny. Might the ponies be taken round!
Yes Lorraine said. unhrsitatingly.
She would not, even on ordinary occa-
sions, have returned without seeing her
sister, but now of course she never
thought of doing so. This was tna's
first drive since her illness her sister
must wait and see how she had borne it ;
and then-Rourke was away.
mo. thank you, l will not go in" she
said when the servant hold the door; Il
will stay here"
So while the ponies were taken round
she sat down on n low garden seat close
to the open half door. whence she should
be able to see the carriage even before
1t reached the lawn gates. Sitting so in
the full sunlight, her watching eyes
only by the narrow brim of her
hat-grew tired. and she closed them lam
guidly. Just then it seemed that the
gates were opened and the carriage rolled
up to her, but Una was not in it.
Lorraine started to her feet. faltering,
Where was Una? And then she awoke,
and saw that the opening Of the lawn
gate had been to admit Rourke!
ST Do you know, ! think ! had
fa Hen asleep" she said. laughing rather
nervously rs he came up to her.
mo wonder" he answered, taking the
hand she offered. 1T is almost as sleepy
day as June could give us"
II understand you were at the Mar
$50 / have been, but | FASTENED back.
This is Unn's first drive. and l wished to
meet her Oh her return. | fancy they
will be here soon. though Brent seemed
to feel 1t incumbent on him to drive very
Will you come in?"
II would rather stay here
30 she sat down again, and he waited
near her while the sunshine folded both
Df them in its pure, sleepy warmth.
''TNhis in a stranger to me-" said Lor-
raine, touching the sleek dun coat of a
greyhound which had followed Rourke.
now stood painting beside him. Il
have not seen him before"
Every probably" Rourke answered,
"as you only come here at most
are intervals"
But you see how it is, Rourke, don't
she explained, gently. Il do not
Ike to be away much, now that papa and
are alone at Rupert's Rest"
"He would not mind. He comes per-
so do others-who care for us"
Papa still sorely misses Una said
Lorraine, determined not to resent his
words, and so trying to turn aside
subject. II feel more and more sure
very day that l shall never in any way
,e able to make up to him for the loss of
ina"
IF you had felt this way a year ago
1e made a sudden pause. But though
" a swift effort he had broken off those
words, he did not substitute others, as a
woman would have done. He leaned back
! his corner of the seat. his eyes follow
the movement of her hand on the
,~reyhound's neck.
How I used to long for a dog when
was a little girl I" she said, only for
he purpose of breaking the pause.
lorraine, he asked. presently, when
he thought her unnecessary speech for
rotten. "do you remember telling me Of
Draco? Did you ever grow fonder of him
after that timer"
Never"
rs he still holding his court at Hamp-
on House?"
Eyes"
II often think Of it; of your life there.
Of What a curious will our aunt
seems to have left !" he added, again
the Involuntary words. "Can
understand why her property should
not be disposed of until We're is engaged,
are|
He had raised his eyes now, and fixed
them. with rather stern intentness, on
her face.
II do not know" she said, her lips
twitehing a little. ." dare say it will
turn out nothing when the trust is open
it ever is"
"If!' laughed Rourke, cy~nically. SIS
tuOi L NOIh always oS hC WOLhS hOWy
md never earn his reward? Are you
10 be always sought, and never won?'
II would a great deal rather have too
little both Of time and money than too
much" said the girl. softly, in her dis
tress at seeing the restless light in his
eyes .sIlhey are both heavy burdens,
when one has more than one knows what
% do with. l am never SO happy as when
I have what looks like too much to do"
He glanced with quick inquiry into
her face. Could it be possible that only
1t times was she happy, either? She, in
her peerless beauty and richly endowed
youth
Look !! there they comet"
She had been first, after all. to see the
advancing carriage. but Rourke
himself had opened the gate in time.
Brent, touching his hat, drove on to
the door without stopping while Una.
pale and tired though she seemed. could
still brightly smile and nod at Rourke.
In her gladness at seeing him there.
And Lorraine, tool" she exclaimed,
IS Rourke lifted her tcnderly from the
what a nice surprise. dear
Look. the air has given baby such a pref
ty color"
lorraine greeted Miss Sheford, then
wazed long at the little fellow, but she
did not attempt to take him from his
nurse.
sleepy, Unag" asked Rourke. seeing
that her eyelids dropped %languidly, even
while she was smiling at a speech Of his.