Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-01-23
AARON BLAlR'S ATONEMEN'T.
CHATTER IL.-(CoNrNUEp.)

take for three months in preference to
Drawing the inevitable monotonies and
miseries attendant upon a stay at u
seaside resort, was an unpretending
edihce enough. little more than a cot
tage; but it was covered with ivy.
picturesque, and surrounded by q
splendid garden. Owen liked it be-
cause it,wasnear one of the best trout
streams in the Midlands, and because
he had .notyet had time to get bored
there; Lady Elizabeth liked it because
she was tired of Brighton and Scar
borough; Milly liked it because she
had genuine love for the coun-
try. AS for Alleyn, who had nothing
to do with it beyond eagerly accept
ing Ovens invitation, he liked it be-
cause Milly was there. Lady Eliza
beth, widow as she was OF one OF the
wealthiest Clyde ship-builders. did not
possess any country-seat OF her own.
She had handsome house in Edin-
burgh, a mansion in Mayfair, and a
villa at Richmond. But she was tired
of them all; and. being a somewhat
erratic and whimsical woman, she had
chosen, fora while at least, 10 bury
herself and her two wards in The Cot
at Upper iDatching. They had their
own SERVANTS couple OF maids In
the last extremity for some one to flirt
with other than the rural butcher and
baker-an unsentimental stout cook
who complained bitterly of the loneli-
ness OF the house and its 'gashly" eff
feet upon her nerves, and an abnor-
mally tall fOotman, who, in common
with his factotum the page-boy, had
sunk into chronic low spirits before
they had been in the house for twenty
four hours. But Lady Elizabeth paid
good wages; and these domestics, al
though they grumbled, resigned
themselves to their fate and remained.
What an awful day you must have
had OF it," said Milly, alphabetically
TO Alleyn, sauntering along in the
moonlight looking her prettiest as
the pale radiance fell upon her prim-
rose gown and the yellow rose in her
hair. He responded to the glance in
her brown eyes, and said: "Awful!"
with considerable feeling. For the
day might have been passed with her.
"And TO catch nothing after all, and
to lose your way!" Miss Heath contin-
ued. ''How lucky that you fell upon
such good samaritans though! BY the
way, do you agree with OwenP"
"Agree with OwenP' Alleyn did
not understand.
Il mean, was your fair princess
so pretty?'
Yes" answered George honestly,
"she was very pretty indeed.
"And Owen was struck" questioned
Milly airly.
"Oweu is very easily struck"
$50 easily that | am always won
dering when the real, fatal blow will
come. But l don't want TO laugh al
him. Owen is quite capable of falling
in love in real, true earnest one Of
these days"
I'm sure OF it.
$50 am l; so sure that want you
10 tell me about this girl. Mr..
Alleyn."
There was touch OF earnestness in
the light ringing tones of Millicent
Heath's voice that rather surprised
her listener. CHANGING at her, he saw
corresponding look in her eyes.
They met his with an expression Of
delightful frankness.
Il mean it," she said seriously.
'"Owen is my brother, you know, and
l think l understand him. That il
why want you to tell me about this
Lily Blair"
"Do you think he will try to see her
againp" queried Alleyn, looking
rather troubled.
"No," said Milly quietly; II know
he viii. Tell me-is she ladyp
"As far as could judge-yes, both
in manner and appearance; and very
pretty, as l said-there is no denying
that"
"And her father P"
There l am puzzled; and so,
fancy, was Owen"
He is not a gentleman then ?
mo. A good, strong, intelligent
thorough-going man; but neither In
looks nor education a gentleman, as
we understand the phrase. ] should
say he had been a northumberland
craftsman, that is-all his life, anC
now does for pleasure what he was
once obliged to do for bushes I.
Probably he has made money enough
TO live on-indeed, he limited as much
They do not seem poor"
"He Is very unlike his daughter
then," observed Miss Heath thought
fully.
Completely unlike her in every
way"
They had reached rustic sea
placed in the shade of tall clump O
bushes. Milly sat down, supporting
her chin upon her hand musingly
Alleyn, well knowing that she haC
something more 10 say 10 him, leaned
against the arm OF the seat and waited
To him the terms of trust and conf
dence which he suddenly found estab
lished between them were inexpressibly
delightful; this ten minutes talk haC
brought her nearer TO him than he
had felt during the whole year OF theii
acquaintance. But her bright face
grew gradually so grave as she cogi
tated that his satisfaction WAS almos