The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-11-19
CHAPTER VII.

Mr.. Jones was as aStonished as he
was relieved by her rapid recovery,
and presently left her, ostensibly TO
see to the mare ard to keep a lookout
for Phil, for whose nerve great con
Germ was certainly due. \ minute lat
er Helen, who was looking out through
the open window, saw him cross the
road t a gateway, where he halted,
and, taking both a cigar case and a
match from his pocket proceeded TO
light a cigar. There was no dearth of
matches in that box; he struck several
before he accomplished his object.
Helen watched, he" face alight with a
smile, To please her he had not
smoked and yet he would not let her
know that he sacrificed his pleasures
for her comfort. How nice Of him!
In a girls vision a little circum-
stance may be made to DO duty for a
great one; it grows or diminisheS at
her will. Helen chose that this virtue
should grow, even as b gourd of
.Snah. r
guess that when he had screened his
weak desire to please her with a white
lie, it rad not been able to hide his
merit-but, in practical view Of Il pos
sible future-a future that grew more
possible each moment. She must learn
at once that, but for lack of ingredi-
ents, he and his cigar were insepera-
bic.
With hands thrust in the pockets of
his coat, his straw hat tilted to shade
his eyes as he scanned the road in
search of Phil, the martyr stood full
in her sight, smoking like n chimney.
She thought him handsome-and so he
was-and his gOod-humored smile was
pleasant.
Throughout their homeward drive
his conduct left nothing to be desired.
He was most tender Of her shaken
neryeS-never before had the dog-cart
been driven so cautiously. Never be-
fore had the strong and sure-foOted
mare been walked up hill and down
alike to a V any risk to her wind in
the first, and any danger to her knees
in the second instance. Both horse
and groom were Il little impatient of
these precautions and anxious to get
to their journeys end, while the mas
ter grudged each fitting field as it
passed, and reached Carnation Cottage
before he had told Helen n tenth of
the hundred things he had to tell her.
Hitherto. as soon as she had laid her
nut-brOwn head on the pillow she had
fallen asleep; but that night she could
find no comfort among the lavender
Ten DAYS after the Rivers Meet pic
mic the two Misses JCneS might have
been seen pacing W and down the cor
ridor at Newton Hall in grave and low
toned conversation. The subject I'M
der discussion was Of such importance
as to lower their high-pitched voices
and Danish their eternal smiles. Pa
tricia's temper was ruflled, her fore
head was puCkered. her eyes black
and Somber as holes burned in n blank
! et. were dark with gloom. She took
the lead in the debate. Anastasia list
ened: though he" engagement to Major
Mason-tlIdt gentleman by whose side
she had lpen seated during the drive
to tine picnic. ard the man of her
~choice-had been that LAY announced.
and she had every reason. consequent
ly, to be gay, she, too, was profoundly
solemn.
HE is so obstinate" the elder Miss
Jones was saying, you ought to know
what he is; If l was to hint that we
are nervous, it would probably decide
it at once and the wrong way. Just to
show his independence, he would do it.
He is quite infatuated; he hangs about
the beach or the village half the day.
Yesterday, in the broiling sun, he
toiled up with a lot of orchids to that
little ear-wigged place. ! believe he
has been there on some excuse or 9th.
er every afternoon this week. lie
went to church twice on Sunday,
and walked back with her after
scented pillows; she tossed ana turned