The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-12-28
CHAPTER w.

1t is not to he supposed that Wnlle
the parents We're entertaining one an
other the children We're without max
ing progress in their mutual know
ledge Scarcely day passed that Ba-
sill on his pony did not call for Alice,
and She under the care of honest 81
mon. the coachman. accompanied him
through all the green lanes around the
place Children-like they had their
many pets Of birds and animals in COM
mon. Common We're their joys, COM
mon their tolls, for both parents knew
that children learn better together than
when one is alone. Labor and learn
ing are heavy things, unless kind look
sometimes CLEANS across the task or
book to cheer one on, and how many
weeds should we not gather on that
rugged hill Of learning, were an affec.
tionate hand not there to tear the poi
son plant from our grasp! There was
nothing wanting to make their after
lives one Ion. long memory Of each 9TH
er When Alice could sketch head,
the first she attempted was Basifs, and
though the likeness was not very strik-
ing, yet it was impressing the reality
on her childish fancy. When Mrs. Eve
lyn, with something of a mothers care
in perspective, proposed that Basil
should partake Of Alice's studies, under
the care of a preceptor, who came three
times week. and the boys father glad
ly consented, for it was removing an
immense trouble from his mind, name
", the one Of seeking proper persons
to instruct his son, and he did not like
the idea of sending him to school; he
fo hin, Gill
did he desire to have a tutor at home
Mrs. Evelyn greatly approved nf the
present system of colleges for young la
dies, and in default of one OF these at
hand, she gave her gentle girl tutor
Thus all went forward without much
change for whole year. Ii the captain
was silent, it was. in the widows opin-
ion, on account Of her too recent be-
reavement. She felt sure that it could
only terminate in proposal on his part
they had become so accustomed to each
others society; and this must be said,
in extenuation Of any apparent trifling
on the part OF the gentleman, that he
had sunk SO completely into creature
of habit, as regarded the lady, that he
visited her without once thinking of
consequences to either Of them. He
now felt more convinced from a more
intimate knowledge of her. that she
was the last person he could ever be
happy with as more than an agreeable
acquaintance, that from sheer country
Incidence he let matters progress as
they pleased; so the present moment
was interesting, he cared for little else.
Mrs. Evelyn had never been a slave
to the worlds opinion, and really from
distaste, had mixed so little in that ba-
Zaar where our best feeling are sold or
bartered, that she knew not much Of
it's rules. Her own sense of propriety
had been her guide, and consequently
what she really intended for a kind
action. as regarded Basil's studies with
Alice was commented upon as a proof
Of the engagement existing between
the parents. 1t certainly looked like
It, but she did not regard it in that light
SO for whole year it went on.
Then some good-natured friend, with
a house full Of daughters to settle in
life, thought It his duty to ask the cap
tain confidentially .'if he were really
engaged to Mrs. Evelyn?''
Certainly not!' answered the candid
and startled man, for he had lost sight
last woman on earth l ever should
dream Of
Then you should remove your son
from his studies with the little girl. y
continued his Mentor. 'for all the vii
lage is talking about your marriage,
and this is adduced as proof Of it."
by George! | never thought Of thatr'
exclaimed the captain and forthwith he
commenced seeking a school for Basil
1t was day of much bitterness to
Alice when she lost her schoOlfellow,
for year and a half Of childish ac-
quaintance create memories for life.
But Basil promised to write. and the
mother felt so sure Of what would ulti-
mately occur, that she had no hesita-
ton in assuring the weeping girl she
should soon have him more constantly
with her than even in time past.