Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-05-20

IN 4 curiously low, subdued tone, gazing
into the fire and letting her crewel work
drop from her hands. She 10 thinking Of
him, letting her passionate fancy run riot
in depicting a future for Eric Llewellyn
after the desires Of her own heart, when
there comes a knock at the door Of the
small, cosy, handsome room, where they
are sitting in the freight, for it 10 nearly
four O'clock of London December after
noon.
1.-THE man to light the gas, dare say"
she murmurs, putting her work away a.
she says, "Cone in"
He does not enter, but stands in the
doorway a moment.
major and Mrs. Llewellyn." he says,
glibly and smoothly, being fashionable
cockney waiter. who only deigns to touch
his words with the top Of his tongue, a.
it were.
So that in reality Mrs. Llewellyn, the
mother, hears nothing but the delightful
sound Of her sons military title and
''Llewellyn," and even Hester, catching
something that sounds like Miss" or
Mr." notices nothing in the whirl of de-
lighted amazement with which she springs
forward with outstretched arms to greet
her cousin. Hettie has no notion of Civ
ing place to his mother even in her well
come of Eric.
Il have played second fiddle long
enough" is the thought she does not ut.
ter, rs, determined not to be put off with
one of Eric's cool, brotherly salutes, she
clasps her arms around his neck, and
returns his twice over with passionate
fervor that discomposes him.
Il am 50 glad, Eric!-I am so glad to
see your she gasps, with tears in her
eyes, and her whole face so radiant with
happiness, that Eric is more and more
overwhelmed, though he has always
known that Hettie liked him very much
sometimes he has suspected of more than
liked him. How did you find out we
were here"'
Mrs. Glare told me-" he answers, hur-
riedly, for he knows that Hettie is gazing
blankly at the tall, slender girl in black.
who is standing little behind him. "And
-and-mother, is it possible you have not
had my letter, written four days ago to
Plasavon?-Hettie?"
mo, Eric, we have had no letter." Het.
tie says, forcing a smile, while the look in
her eyes at the stranger hardens into u
stare under lowering brows and merciless
lips that show the edge of her little white
teeth; for she has discovered, even in the
dim light, that the stranger is very young,
very graceful, with beautiful, colorless
complexion and splendid dark eyes, and
her soul is afame with jealous terror and
suspicion, of what she scarcely knows.
"Then you have never received my last
letter? l wrote to you to tell you-there
is no time for explanation now-I said all
in my letter." Eric says, confusedly, al
most stammering in embarrassment, not
SO much at his mothers wondering eyes
and curious glances at Muriel, or Hes
ter's fixed regard-which is none too
friendly, he feels-as at the thought that
Muriel's pride will be in arms at this re-
ception--that Muriel will accredit him
justly enough with any unpleasantness
or modification, seeing he has brought her
into his family circle without any proper
introduction. 1T is most unfortunate that
you gave me no idea of your being in Lon
don!" he says, flushing with anger at the
predicament he is in, and manlike, gladly
thrusting it on female offenders shout
ders. Il wrote from Curraghdene, to tell
you that my dear friend, Miles O'Hara,
was dead, and-that was married to his
sister. Poor Miles died the very day we
were married. He had been i'll for some
time," he says, hardly knowing what he
is saying, and seeing CONSERVATION and
bewilderment in the faces before him.
(To be continued.