Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-10-04

as rnat But 1t really was cruel. Here
is the letter. And when expected to
hear all about funeral Millie, like the
light headed creature she is, goes off to
writing and chattering about men I never
heard Of. think have right to feel
aggrieved."
"But, mother dear, the girls were as
much surprised to find me alive and well
apparently as yourself. By the way, the
major is waiting to pay his respects. He
is capital fellow the major, mother, and
I hope you will like him. He has been
good to the girls; indeed, don't know
what they would have done without
him."
"He has indeed. mamma" said EN-.
maj. Black is"--
"Emmelinew interrupted the widow,
severely. "I'm surprised to think that
you and your sister should fall 80 readily
into the rude manners of the people Of
this place and talk about gentlemen
whom you cannot possibly know any
thing Of more than as casual acquaint-
ances. I myself will thank Maj. Black
for his fatherly care of you, for Pm sure
Jack here hasn't thought of such thing"
Jack bit his lip.
Every well, mother. Just as you
please. Only permit me to suggest that
you should remember we are not in San
Francisco, and that society in mining
camp is formed upon somewhat more
primitive lines than in cities. Don't ex-
pect too much in the way of etiquette
and social distinctions, and you'll get
along here famously."
'Indeed, l propose to take the girls
home with me as soon as we can leave
this place." retorted the widow with
spirit. ''Your acquaintance may be
very kind, but it is.clearly no place for
them. What would the Cadwalladers
and the Florences say if they knew that
Millie and EN- were boarding in a mining
camp, the only women in the placer
"My dear mamma" said Jack, impress
sively, "you will be careful, please, not
to give unnecessary pain to any one here,
for assure you they do not deserve it at
your hands, and it would ill repay all the
real kindnesses they have paid to my
sisters since they came here. Besides,
they and you are the majors guests, and,
in a sense, the guests of the Springs.
Why, they actually celebrated the ar
rival Of EN- and Millie by taking holi-
day."
The widow looked pleased. It was
difficult to say whether vanity or graft
tude was uppermost, however.
II confess the major is quite pre-
sentable sort of person" she said, pres
emily. "But he is hardly the kind Of
man would care to have paying atten-
tions to either of my daughters. There
is too great disparity
"Oh, mammal" cried Millie, placing
her hand to her mothers lips. "Why
do you talk of such things?"
Ridiculous, mammal" interposed EN-,
with furious blush which did not es-
cape Mrs. Browning's watchful eye.
Jack laughed heartily.
"Why, mother" he said, "the wind
doesn't set in that quarter, hope, At
any rate, you will let the major speak
for himself, and if he needs and deserves
the maternal rebuke, 60 ahead and let
him have it,"
Don't talk nonsense, Jack, exclaimed
the widow severely. "You know it's all
your own fault that this thing has hap
pened. You would come out to this ter
rible place, and knew something would
come Of it."
"And it has, mother. You see, we're
all here together now. and that's certain
ly consoling. Now, if you have no OBJ
lection, I'll just step out and see who's
around"
Outside he met Whipple and the major.
To the latter Jack handed the letter his
mother had received, and which had
caused all the trouble. 1t was note
written in a scrawling hand and Jonas
Black regarded it long and intently.
[To BE Continued