Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-03-25
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
I The telegram which reached Berries
DOdgings just before the travellers left the
house was from Stella Moncrief, Come
ut once" It said. "Your father is away,
but / am sure that he will welcome you
It was not until four or five o'clock on
the following day that the little party
made ito appearance at the doors OF Tor
resmuir. A sad little party, indeed! For
Molly, the once merry, high-spirited girl.
had come back q crushed and broken
hearted woman; and BERTHE was bowed
down by sympathy for her troubles, and
Lady Val had sorrows of her own. And
Stella, who received them, also had her
share Of grief, and looked as If she had
spent many hours of WEAKNESS and anx-
ETY. during the year that had elapsed
1nce Molly's marriage.
No question was asked or answered at
drst. Molly fell into Stella's arms as
naturally - II she had been child COM
lng home to her mother, and Stella folded
her close to her breast, ~ If she could not
bear to let her 60. There was some
sweetness to be got out Of this sad home
coming, after all. And then Molly had to
b put to bed, and comforted, and tended.
and Il was touching to see how gentle
che had grown. how grateful for words
and deeds of love.
Kingscott was for once 40 ignorant Of
'Alan's whereabouts a. Stella: and his
ignorance was excessively annoying to
him. It would have been his greatest
possible delight to steal march on Stella
- ~ A~ -
defying his commands and utterly neg
lecting his wishes; he could, he fancied,
have drawn q very striking picture Of
"Stella in revolt" as he phrased it to
himself. Stella opening the doors or Tor
resmuir to the disobedient runaway
daughter whom Alan had never intended
70 invite to his home again. This was
al, no doubt, . fancy picture; but 1t
would have been extremely gratifying
to heishten it huss and intensity its dis
tinctness in Alan's eyes. The provoking
part Of It was that Alan had not chosen
10 leave him his address. 1t was almost
the larst time that this had happened; and
Kinsscott WIS obliged to zee in it what
he had for long time suspected. that
Alan did not trust him - much - in
former days, and was rapidly learning to
dispense with his services.
One day Stella had taken the road that
led toward Dunkeld, and did not intend
70 60 very far. The day was cold but
bright, and walking was very pleasant.
ehe went for some little distance. gather
Ing winter bouquet on her way-a few
red berries, . yellow leaf or two, mossy
twig, and BY and by she began to rear
range her little nosegay, looking down ct
# instead OF straight before her. So It
happened that she did not in the least zee
that any one was approaching, and when,
Ut the sound of hating footstep she
raised her eyes, she started violently to
ind that they met those Of her husband,
who WAS standing in the road before her.
@Stellag' There was the most extraor-
binary pleasure in his face and voice.
Stella was conscious of something un-
usual indefnably warm and
caresaing- which crept into his tone; but
It was 70 quickly succeeded by coldness
that she had scarcely time to realize it
before It was gone.
II wanted to be alone for q time-not
10 be troubled with business letters" he
went ON. There was nothing for which
I was likely to be needed at home"
II have Z great deal to tell you" said
Stella, TREMENDOUSLY. molly il here"
molly r She had somewhat expected
the quick, stern look Of inquiry, the bend
Ing Of the naughty brows. "And her hus-
bandr'
"Her husband turned her out into the
street one cold, stormy night. She went
10 Berries lodgings. They telegraphed
here to know II abe might come"
'sHannington turned her out? Turned
Molly outEhis wifey' He stopped short
n the road, o. II he could not 70 on. his
llps working with emotion; suddenly he
broke ont with violent ejaculation:
%The scoundreli the brute! And I not
here TO horsewhip him! Well, what next ?
What did she do? She came hereof
eourse. Well9'
Then Stella repeated the whole story
q NJ know It, while Mr.. Moncrieff Lis.
tened with growing indignation. When
she had finished he exclaimed:
y ought to have been 1t home. I
ought never to have done such a wild
thing @ to 50 OF in that way, az If I
did not care what befell any Of you. I
shall never forgive myself. But I GER
tainly had an idea that left an address
with Macauster. suppose forgot it.
4 neant 70 have important letters for
Wafded. I wns fool-a fool. A selfish
I'll, -, for went for my own salts
44etion only. II tell you why I went.
9t11la, wonder whether you will think
~ posslbla ever to forgive me for my
n1glect Of ron. =
& H nj" she said. softly.
rs dear" he said. stopping short and
oking dxedly 1t her, Il had been And
, ont that I+conld not bsar the atate
2 things between us-the life We led
~ hi Ard went away that ]
u T. - eosarse AZ ! few lonaly days,