Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-04-15

YIewellyn ior some little time after tea,
hut. with her permission. they resume
tceir smoking and desultory chat of the
earlier part Of the evening: and as there
is nothing for her to do in the way OF
ministerng to their enjoyment, she beta kes
herself to the solitude of her own cham
Der. rendered CHEEKY. however-the poor
ly -furnished. damp-stained room--by the
presence of bright turf fire.
I'm getting sleepy" Miles remarks,
suddenly. "A penny for your thoughts.
Eric"
''They are worth more than that"
Llewellyn says. coolly. with a slight smile
in return. you recollect what we were
| talking about two hours ago."
Observation-Disclosures Miles asks;
but his smile fades and his flord, haggard-
handsome face grows asy pale. and
there is a sudden CLEAN of fiery Celtic
pride in the glitter of his blue eyes. Eyes,
I know now l asked you your opinion
of my sister: how you liked her, from
what little you saw of her. not as re-
CARDS her personal appearance" he says.
coldly and haughtily THAT she is pretty
and well-born any one can tell by the
| first glance at her. But as woman.
judging of her character and mind by
watching her rather critically asked
you how you liked her. A rather ex-
| traordinary question and put in a rather
extraordinary way. my dear Eric | ad-
init, and somewhat of Il trespass even on
old and familiar friendship Miles adds,
in his coolest, proudest. most courteously
formal manner. And if you please, we
| will let it pass, and suppose it answered"
Il am sorry if annoyed you. Miles. by
apparent unwillingness TO answer your
| question" Erie Llewellyn says. with a
softening accent of regret and affection
ateness in his voice. which is little
unsteady Also lit was not from indiffer-
ence l assure you. it was from anxiety
lest l should lead either you or myself
| into--a fatal error But as l told YOU,
| have been thinking out my thoughts all
| the evening, and l am quite sure Of my
self now You asked me how l liked
Muriel.' the pretty girlish name lin.
| gers on his lips now with a faint thrill Of
pleasure-''as far as could judge--and
judged good deal, and l answer you
'candidly,' Miles-that l like her SO we'll
| in every respect that-if she is willing,
quite willing and happy to trust mel
should like her for my wife. should
| like to marry her. and take her back to
| England with me. as soon as you would
| be willing to give her to me. Miles,
Miles OHara looks up suddenly as Eric
| l4lewellyn speaks. and then as suddenly
averts his eyes, and the same swift flush
and light of eager hope and pleasure
| that has illumined his face once before
this evening slows on it again now. But
| for moment only-the next instant he
compels his features into gravity and self
| possession.
| THAT is rather a sudden idea of yours.
old fellow, isn't it?' he asks 1T rather
upsets me-the idea. you know. I've been
thinking of her only as chld-shc isn't
much more, though she is just nineteen.
1t seems only the other day, a year or
two ago, when she was in short frocks
and | was dragging her up hill and
helping her to gather wild raspberries in a
little tin can. Poor little Muriel!''
IF your sister likes me enough, on
further acquaintance, to say yes when
l ask her to marry me. well and good.
Major Llewellyn says, very deliberately
and decisively; IF not, you may be sure
l will not trouble either her or you on the
score of my wishes or ideas ever again.
l shall continue to be your friend, hope,
and your sisters friend, shorld she re-
quire me. to the end of my days. but
that is ALL"
THAT is all fair and right" Miles says,
briefly, with a sarcastic ring in his voice.
II quite understand 1t makes things 80
much easier to map out, and square Of,
and arrange neatly. where there is no
love, and no broken hearts, and that sort
of nonsense in the matter. Don't you
think sO?"
"You are complimentary to any future
attempt of mine to make her happy.
perceive" Major Llewellyn says, a little
bitterly.
II wish you could-have loved her an
you-loved another"
(To be continued.)