Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-04-08

he is on the point OF declaring positively.
when hazy recollection rises up sudden
| ~ in his memory. ''Oh. ali, yes, to be
surev' he exclaims: ''but--er-you say
your little sister; your stepbrother Syl-
vester's sister,
| ''Half-sister. be confounded!' Miles re-
torts. angrily. his blue eyes cleaning with
easily excited ire--''as if little Muriel
was kith and kin with that fox-cub Syl-
vester. whom am sorry to have to own
for my fathers youngest son. and the
sole heir. after me. of Curraghdene. and
every stick and stone about the poor old
place, worse luck! l can leave the little
one nothing, or next to nothing" he says.
huskily. and the ireful. glittering blue
eyes are dim with unshed tears for an in
/ slant. land she has nothing-nothing but
her face for her fortune. poor little soul!
And she is as good and affectionate as she
is pretty. shan't be able to do anything
or provide any shelter for the little one;
it keeps me awake at night worrying
He pauses abruptly for moment. and
then says, with half-laugh, whilst his
tones tremble audibly:
do you know, old fellow. I used to
think sometimes long ago. before-before
you told me about Edith, Miss Cameron,
you know
The fork drops from MAJOR Llewellyn's
hand for an instant and the dark flush
that rises through his clear, sunburnt COM
plexion, to the very roots of his crisp,
dark chestnut hair, is succeeded by cor
responding pallor. His brows lower, and
deep, stern lines come around the lips
hidden beneath his heavy red-brown mus
tache.
'.Well, what of it 2" he asks with fore
ed smile, and forced carelessness of man.
ner
"Well. long ago, before l knew any
thing about that" Miles says little
more falteringly, and with the nervous
laugh again-'.I used to think that when
she grew to womanhood I'd give my little
sister to you as--as the best gift l had
to offer you"
did you. old fellow" Eric says with
smile, for the pathos in the faltering
voice disarms all his pride and GOODNESS.
"Well, if things had been different. if life
. had been different. who knows: We
might have been brothers. You and l"
II wish to heaven it might have been"'
Miles retorts with feverish energy. II
! wouldn't have had a care on my mind
then. AS it is, won't rest easy in my
: grave to think of leaving the poor child
! to Sylvester's tender mercies. He'll break
her spirit. poor little thing, that's what
he'll do. She's a high spirit, and proud
e nature, and as warm and true heart as
ever beat. poor child! You couldn't hell
being fond of her. Eric
"Indeed:" Major Llewellyn questions
; in the same politely Indifferent way. ~
c have never seen your little sister, you
: know, Miles
mo. Well when you do see her, old
. fellow Miles says in his vehement, en-
$ thusiastic way. you'll agree with every
6 word I've said about her
= Very fond Of Miles in his quiet, re-
!, pressed fashion Eric Llewellyn certainly
g is. very ready to do anything in tn.
bounds of reason to prove his friendship
5 for Miles. the brotherly friendship which
! is indeed one of the strongest feelings OF
his existence: but to extend that fondness
to Miles young sister. a half-grown. half
educated little Irish country girl. CIR
I who probably never knew what it was t.
Z wear her gloves properly-this would bs
!. indeed be:ond tive exactions of friendship
9 or the bounds OF reason.
r CHAPTER IL.
Z Two days have passed since his arriva
t &. Curraghdeae and Major Llewelly,
: only notices it as IN agreeable fact tina
q ~ get Miles has not thought proper t,
introduce him TO his sister: this sister VIII,
!. seems. by all her brothers accounts o.
) her. to be such wonderful and admirabl,
!. young creature. Muriefs Abilities Nh
/ riefs clcverness. Muriers literary genius
: .l'll show you the articles she wrot,
!. for the baltimore Chronicle. LIeweIlyn,
e he says. with his voice trembling will
proud emotion, "a Christmas story. ,
lovely thing, on my word and honor! an,
e them. know"
$. ..Ye gods!" sroans Major Llewellyn, in
!. war,lly. "a school girls poems Really!
he says. aloud. with smile of polite en-
y co-rageinent, "a little blue stocking!'
/: Major Llewellyn has not met durin
these two days any member of the famil
b. besides Miles. with the exception Of hi
n step-brother. Sylvester O'Hara. an i'll
ID bred. unpleasant lad of sixteen. VIII
rs lounges in to the dinner table. and BIZ
II HAYES with mixture Of cringing defer
cnce and impudent presumption toward
10 his step-brother's guest. and with mingle
lc defiance and surliness towards Miles him
b self.
"a Il wouldn't rouse an evil feeling in tina
T. young fellows mind if were you. Miles,
III Eric says. in a warning tone. as the
Is smoke by the open window in the still pul
pie twilight.
at "You mean that you think Sylvester wi
9. serve me out--when l can never raise
r. word. or strike blow in defense-by an
" y"' says Miles, huskily. II believe yo,
Llewellyn. He will pay my poor little 81,
err ter out for every atom of spite he ha
)" against me, when I'm not here any NOR
IT, to protect her."
n. flush! old fellow: you We got the blues!
m Llewellyn interrupts cheerfully. ''Wh
to shouldn't you live to protect her as long a
or she wants protector? Oh, yes, kno,
all you have told me about your state {
lie health, but. if you would be more car,
full, Miles, with an uneasy glance at til
on decanter of coghac, ''you might live to sc
to yourself grandnncle if not grandfatl
\ ~ At.s-