The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-10-22

errors she realized that she was either
too stupid or too old to learn.
Dinner vas Over-an excellent dinner
1t had been. such as leaves those who
have been happy enough to discuss il
In the best humors. If the wit was
weak among the party at Newton the
laughter was strong, and there was
plenty Of it, and the music of laughter
is pleasant TO hear in a world where ii
does not always overabound.
A group of men and girls were gath
cred around the piano. which, with an
accompaniment Of banjo, bones, the
| vigorous voices. was degrading its mel
F., lifluous tones by leading the popular
strains of that curious tune "KillalOO."
Apart from the group at the piano,
upon the ledge of an open window,
Helen's recent acquaintance, MI. AL
bert Jones, was seated talking, with
rather a ~listless and condescending air,
to his youngest sister, AnaStasia.
Don't grumble, BERTHE; come and
sing" she was saying; ''or, il you won't
sing, go and smoke-do something. l
saw Lady Lucy looking over here just
now; it's rather uncivil of you not to
talk to her. You have been so stupid
ali the evening; you bored her to death
at dinner; | saw her yawning."
THAT polished horde, formed of two
mighty tribes, "the Bores and the
Bored" he quoted, with a comprehen-
sive glance first at the musicians, then
round the DON "My dear An, l can't
tune myself UP to concert pitch in heat
like this. Lady Lucy is all very well,
but she is not i~nvigorating: she is as
mild as buttermilk."
His sister looked at him rather anX-
iously, and knitted her eyebrows.
"She is perfectly charming, BERTHE;
we are devoted to her, and so is papa.
They have asked us all there on the
Doth. Didn't she tell you? Hasn't she
asked you?"
"She said something about polo at
their place, and a golf or tennis week
L forget which. 1t made me hot to
think Of such violent exercises, and l
said So"
you are too spoiled, BERTHE" said
Anastasia, Struggling her shoulders.
You really are. You are getting disa-
greeable."
At that moment the chorus of "Killa-
loo" rang out through the room
1--WE larn to sing it aisy, that song the
Marseillasy
Too long, vous long, the Continent,
we learnt at Killaloo."
pretty thing that" growled the
young man. 'just like White Wings
or Lady Lucy. Sort Of thing you never
get sick of-grows on you-just suits
a night like this"
He pointed through the open win
dow to where the moon traced it's
pathway across the dark, heaving sea
to where the black cliffs lowered,
standing on guard upon either side Of
the cleft chasm in which twinkled the
lights Of the village.
Anastasia did not look at the view,
but she looked keenly at her brother.
did Troubadour win the Norches-
ties stakes?" she inquired, with appar-
ent ir%relevance.
walk over" he replied loconically.
Then, what's the matter, BERTHE?
When you are cruSty something quite
extraordinary must have happened"
I'm all right, my dear; there is moth
ing earthly the matter with me. l sup
pose a fellow needn't make a fool Of
himself unless it is agreeable to him.
Lady Lucy is everything that is cor
rect, but she can't sing
"'Her voice was soft and low.
A cooling kind of voice, you know,
Except when she began to sing,
And then il was a fearful thing"
Lady Lucy sings beautifully" his
sister said rather stiffiy. "Good-by,
BERTHE. You are such dull company,
I'm Off"
She had not gone more than two or
three steps when he called her back.
Anastasia retulned-nO one V
dreamed Of disputing Mr.. Jones'
wishes; but she was impatient at his
demands on her time. With half a
dozen young men within hail, the best
Of brothers would seem a duh COM
panion; the grim, uncomplaisant broth
er was an unmitigatcd bore.
what do you want:'
well, | wanted 70 hear" he spoke
slowly; he was staring hard at his
foot, as though it's appearance at the
Y of his trousers was an interesting
novelty; Il wanted 10 hear how many
people are coming TO this ball, and
who they are, and what sort OF enter
tainment it is likely to be-"
This was an engrossing and sensible
topic, into which Anastasia could EN-
ter.
Every one is coming" she answered
confidentially. 1--WE have been so lucky
hardly one refusal. All the right peo-
pie in the house." She ran through a
string Of noble names glibly. and in
rather a raised voice; it is curious that
such names should require emphasiz-
ing. 1T ought to go off we'll. There
are plenty of men. if they will only do
their duty in the ball room as they are
sure to do in the supper room"
Mr.. Jones was still staring at his
foot, his interest In which had devel-
oped into anxiety, for he twisted it
about and craned his neck to enable
him to catch sight of the sole Of his
shoe.
Have you asked any of the other