Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-02-05
Y.

in the grounds of Hohye, which was
! known far ana wide as the Den, though
, no one could tell who had first affixed
the name to it. 1t was built on "A grassy
mound, in which a flight of n dozen steps
leading to the door were cut and paved,
1t consisted of one cylindrical room, hand
somely furnished, as far as its extent
would allow. and having two low, wide
windows on opposite sides, rounded with
the wall, and opening on an iron balcony
which ran round the tower, and com
manded one of the finest and most extern
sive views Of Hohve.
This Den belonged of course exclu-
sively to the squire, and Rourke Tren-
ham, though not naturally fond of soil
tude and retirement, and though possess
ing a nature exactly the reverse of indO-
lent. enjoyed many idle hours there. Not
that he kept the room for himself: every
friend and companion he had kn.w them
selves welcome. yet Rourke had but few
who came. His college friends he rarely
ask ed to Hohve. for this indefnablc and
subordinate position he held in his faith
er's house at present would. he knew, be
a Subject for endless remark and surmise
among other young men, even of pity for
HlIlSCl 'hNis' "'' " 'hi' nv
shrank with most utter repulsion. OF the
young men of his own neighborhood Athol
We're was the one most gladly received by
Rourke in his den. but then Athol had his
work to do. and it was not often he could
spare the hours through which Rourke
liked to have him sitting opposite him at
the window or the fire. now talking of a
hundred things which made the hours pass
- -- ,e-- l,tct,r, ~. d., .,r1
could at times into a rarer talk, which
made the day seem better and the be-
yond more pleasant. Trenham thought.
The only occupant of the den in the
late afternoon of this day was Rourke's
valet. a small, brisk fellow, with a keen,
intelligent, whiskerless face and closely
cut dark hair. He was setting the room
in order. He all the while kept watch
through that window which commanded
the grand sweep before the steps on which
the cannon stood, beside the door of
Hohve. The nature of the man glanced
out as he pursued this double occupa-
ton a deft neatness which was almost
womanly, and a watchful alertness most
man-like.
1t was several minutes before Rourke
rode UP to the open sweep. where his ser
want could see him. On his way to his
room he met his stepmother gliding
.lsnguidly downstairs in her velvet dinner
dress.
II thought she said. in answer to his
smile and nod, that you were staying
to dine!"
Dining out in this dress :" he an
swered, laughing, as he glanced down at
his clayey boots and splashed red coat.
Though / have, haven't I. before now.
with old Uncle Digby or at Ru-
pert's Rest. But | should not have lone
so tonight, even IL I had been scrupu-
attired. Did you imagine 1 should
leave you to line alone on my last night?'
NO; but I've asked-told Newley to
dine with us tonight"
Rourke started back, the genial look
all gone from his face, a proud contempt
here in its stead.
Next year-at this pace-you will be
lsking him to meet our other guests, and
lsking other guests on purpose to meet
1im. l only wonder" he added, scornful-
y, that you did not ask him to grace
The ball tonight"
II did, said Mrs. Trenham. with a
leliberateness which might be either cool
or n touch of fear.
you did :" cried Rourke, an angry fire
n his eyes you did! You asked him
o come to do honor to my birthday: you
lsked him-a servant whom my father
ook into his house for charity. because
'ou told him that the boy was homeless,
md would serve us we'll! Is he to come
lere to be one with the guests we honor:
o sit at my table among them? He shall
,ot SV,rA q thir~ u-oa a,a Aoa-I ~ l
ut will be heard of now said Mrs.
rrenham, with naughty GOODNESS, though
Ter heart was beating uncomfortable. II
rave told him to be here. He dresses
we'll, and bears himself well, and be-
raves well; and I choose he shall take
place among my guests. Whether he
hold it or not depends upon himself,
you will see"
why did you not tell me before?' said
speaking leisurely for a moment
n the strength and heat of his passion,
is strong men often do. Il would have
,iven Brent an invitation too. How many
# the women servant have you invited?"
Don't be inconsistent, Rourke," said
lis stepmother, Selling her passing adj
they are none of them his
EQUALS. He has no equals in the house,
,oor fellow. You, naturally perhaps, hold
his superior because you-well, 1
will not enlarge upon that now II the
are, of course. his interiors"
Precious few of them"
You. Rourke. cried Mrs. Trenharn, |
.,eginning to shed tears, always mis-
Judge in your blind prejudice. Another
ION would value one who was so devoted
o his mother. Think what | should be
without Newley's constant advice and SER
Rourke looked down %curiously into the
face. What was there in this
woman which could have won his fathers
Were any other homes governed
" such rule as this?
value Newley's services as you like"
ae said, az never complain Of that but
IS he to entirely ~monopolize my place."
"He is SO much more experienced and
thoughtful than you are, Rourke."
you are no judge" the young man
,aid; you have never tried me; you have
all to him, nothing to me. BY
when l think OF the injury my
did me, in making me a cipher in
this house, l hardly trust myself"
WAS It injury in four father to place
confidence in his wifey" inquired Mrs.
Trenham, smiling coldly. And is it un-
that l should place confidence in
one who is skillful and cautious? You
ought to rejoice that / have sense to do
30, and be glad to see him in this house"
III you had made up your mind to ask
him "a this ha ~ said tho vo,fn1 man