The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-01-28


night. Duplicity Of Helen was confessed
by the young lady. She admitted conniving
with her father despite her aunts
precautions, in a night meeting with DON
ovap.
CHAPTER ix.-continued.
do you mean to tell me that you
have not talked with your father-that
you have not seen him here?" 1 be-
sought.
Yes; l have seen him-cnce. and
it was by accident. 1t was quite by &C.
cident"
"Yes; know OF that"
Then you have been spying upon
me, Mr.. Donovan!"
why did you tell me that outrage
ously foolish tale about your chess
game, when knew exactly where you
were at the very hour you would have
had me think you were dutifully en-
gagged with your aunt? 1t seems to
me, my dear Miss Holbrook, that that
is not SO easy of explanation. even to
my poor wits"
THAT was without purpose; really
1t was! was restless and weary from
SO much confinement; you can't know
how dreary these late years have been
for us-fOr me-and l wished just
once to be free. I went for long
walk into the country. And if you
saw me, If you watched me-"
l gazed at her blankly. The thing
could not have been better done on
the stage; but Miss Pat was walking
toward us, and put an end to the
talk.
II came upon him by accident
had no idea he was here" she per-
sisted.
"You are not growing tired of u.s.
began Miss Pat, with her brave, beau
tiful smile; you are not anxious to be
rid Of u.s."
IT certainly am not. replied. 81
can't tell you how glad am that you
have decided to remain here. l am
quite sure that with little patience
we shall wear out the besiegers. Our
position here has, you may say, the
strength Of its weakness. think the
policy of the enemy is to harass you
by guerrilla methods-to annoy you
and brighten you into submission"
yes; l believe you are right" she
said "lowly. Helen had walked on,
and loitered beside Miss Pat.
II hope you have had 20 misgivings,
Miss Pat, since our talk yesterday"
None whatever" she replied. quick
ly. II am quite persuaded in my own
mind that should have been better
of II had made a stand long ago. I
don't believe cowardice ever pays, do
you?"
She smiled up at me in her quick,
bright way, and was more than ever
her slave.
Miss Holbrook, you are the bravest
woman in the world! believe you are
right. think should be equal to ten
thousand men with your spirit to put
heart into me-"
Don't be foolish" she said, laugh
ing. But to show you that am not
really afraid, suppose you offer to take
us for drive this evening. l think it
would be well for me to APPEAR to-day,
Just to show the enemy that we are
not driven to cover by our little ad-
venture in the launch yesterday"
Certainly! Shall we carry out
riders and rear guard?"
mot bit of it. think we may be
able to shame my brother out of his
evil intentions by our defenselessness. y
We waited for Helen to rejoin us,
and the drive was planned for five.
Promptly on the hour, after day Of
activity on my part in cruising the
lake, looking for signs of the enemy,
we set forth in an open trap. and
plunged into country roads that trav-
ersed territory new to all of us. car
ried lima along, and when, after a
few miles, Helen asked to take the
reins, ] changed seats Wsth her, and
gave myself up to talk with Miss Pat.
The girls mood was grave, and she
wished to drive, / fancied, as m ex-
cuse for silence. The land rolled grad.
ually away into the south and west,
and we halted, in an hour or SO, far
from the lake, on a wooded eminence
Ahat commanded long sweep in every
direction, and drew into the roadside.
lima opened gate that admitted us
to superb maple grove. and in few
minutes we were having tea from the
hamper in the cheeriest mood in the
world. The sun was contriving new
marvels in the west, and the wood
that dipped lakeward beneath us gave
an illusion of thick tapestry to the
eye.
I'VE could almost walk to the lake
over the trees" said Miss Pat. It's a
charming picture"
Then, as we all turned to the lake,
seeing it afar across the tree-tops
through the fragrant twilight, saw
the StiIetto standing out boldly upon
the waters of Annandale. with Ian.
guild impudence that | began to as.
sociate with its slim outlines and
snowy canvas. Other craft were
abroad, and Miss Pat; judged. spoke
only Of the prettiness of the general
landscape, and there was, to be sure,
no reason why the sails of the Stiletto
should have had any particular signifi'
canoe for her. Helen was still looking