Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1895-01-04
X-Continued.

~ SCN NuAGIiy NNtAyS tAial q tAAC
young husbands first thought, espec-
ially as. though she looked and smiled
go swcetly, he detected q shade of e a
incss in the dear face lie knew so
well. If lie could only carry her safe
.ly or before the admiring circle round
Bella broke up, and before Mr.. Alex
andcr Thomson appeared in the draw
.lng-room-as he was sure to do in IL con
'dition cuphuistically termed merry"
Hut Mrs. Griers0n had first to be spo-
ken to n little, and she sat close beside
his sister, who, in passing, lie felt
catch his hand.
"Rody!"
Was there ever q man, old or young,
who hearing himself called by a fami-
liar voice, the pet name of his child
hood, could stonily turn away? Poor
Ro.arick, anything but stony-hearted,
c~ertain!y could not.
"What do you want with mc?" he
whispered, pretending to turn over n
large volume of photographs which his
sister held.
"Slie-I came here on purpose to look
at her-she is much nicer than I ex-
pected."
"Thank you. Is that all? Then I will
pass on. 1 was going to say goodnight
to Mrs. Grierson."
The tone, studiously polite, was cx-
actly what lie would have used to any
strange lady. 1t seemed to cut his sis
ter to the heart.
Frederick, what can 1 do? 1 dare not
vex mamma. She holds all my pin
money; and he is-oh, so stingy! So
lf I had but knownw
"You did know; 1 told you myself"
said Frederick, sternly. "But it is use
less talking. AS one makes ones bed
one must lie on it."
81 know that. And youy"
"There is no need to speak-we had
better not speak-either of me or
mine"
At this instant the gentlemen we're
heard coming up; and n of them,
approaching, tapped her ON the Shout
DEF, with a jovial, "Well, my dear"
A SILVER of repugnance-almost of
fear-passed ovcr poor Bella from head
to foot. Well might the sapient Mr..
Alexander Thomson observe that
women are fools;" but the greatest of
all fools is the woman that marries q
fool for his money.
"Jardine! here still? Do introduce us
my wife and mc-to our charming
6tster-in-law. Or, rather introduce her
to US, If Bella thinks it more proper"
ayes, yes, bring her here. l beg you
will, and quickly. Don't you see every
body is looking at usw said Bella, hur-
riedly.
LET them look; it is nothing to me-"
said Roderick, and was walking away,
when he felt Il little hand slipped un-
der his arm.
Il came not to hurry you, dear, but
to tell you that Mrs. Gricrson offers to
take US home in her carriage. She is
so kind. l like her SO much"
II knew you would. my darling!"
Bella heard the words, saw the look
and the look which answered it. A
sudden spasm, almost like despair,
passed across her facc-the despair
which a woman, any woman, cannot
but feel on catching a glimpse of the
heaven she has lost or thrown away.
But h righted herself speedily; and
having much of her mothers clever
ness, slipped out of the difficult posi-
ton by coming and taking Silence's
two hands with an air of frank pleas
.ure.
"You would not carry off my brother
this very minute. when 1 am so de-
lighted to see both him and you? /
am Bella. OF course you have heard
of Bella? Nay; you must let me kiss
you, my dear"
The tone. if n little p%atronizing, was
kind; and though the soft cheek turned
scarlet, it did not shrink from the kiss.
Silence stood, neither shy, nor afraid,
nor ashamed. to receive the greeting OF
her husbands sister. But when Bella's
husband came forward, with rough ex-
uberance. to take his share in the sa
lutte, she drew back.
at is not our custom in Switzcr
land" she said in French to her hus
band; and, as she extended the tips OF
her fingers, it would have taken q
bolder man than even Mr.. Alexander
Thomson to offer a kiss to young Mrs
Jardine.
All this little scene passed within hall
q minute, attracting no attention ex
>cept from the Griersons, who stood by
1--WE are OBTAINING you. and maxim.
orr family relations ncedlessly pub
lie" said Roderick; "but the fact is
= my wife and sister had met be
fore. They will meet again shortly,
hope"
81 hope so, too" responded Mrs
sGrierson, in 81 tone which showed tina
the gentle old lady vas fully cosnizan
of the Jardine history, as no doubt, IL
some form or other, was everyone pres
ent, or would be. within ten minutes
Indeed, as Roderick took his wife iron
the room, he felt that, like the cele
brated wit in the anecdote, they "lef
their character behind them"
What matter? What did anything
matter, so long as he held fast that ten
der hand. which, In the friendly dusl
Of the. carriage. he had taken. for b.