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

A curious sense of modification ut his
own mistaken theories respecting Miles
O'Hara's sister, is the emotion which sue
ceeds that first one of astonished admira-
ton in Eric Llewellyn's mind She is
discomposed by the steady, settled gaze
of his eyes. as any girl might naturally
be, but the displeased haughtiness of the
flush that overspreads her face up to her
white, delicately-veined temples is some
what of fresh surprise to him. And
yet. and yet he likes her none the worse
for this CLEAN of maidenly scorning-for
the proud. womanly modesty which is
offended by even the license of look
Sylvester O'Hara comes in with his
heavy. noisy tread. sits down sideways
in his chair, and puts his big red hands
on the snowy tablecloth. He glances at
Miles and his friend first. and then the
sullen. crafty eyes under the lowering
brows turn on his fair stepsister in her
pretty dress She wears no ornaments.
for she has none to wear. except little
old-fashioned brooch of the shape called
comet" with a body of sapphire and
| rose diamonds. and little brilliant gilt
tering on the silver ''tail." Sylvester's
eyes fasten greedily on the spark of light
from the diamond at the extremity of the
pin.
Isn't that fathers little diamond pin
you're wearing, Murrie?" he demands, in
a hoarse undertone which is audible
enough.
Yes" Muriel answers. quietly; sit used
to be fathers, Sylvester
"He left it to me-" the boy says. rude
ly and positively. II asked him for it,
! and he said was TO have it,
'.Hush!" Muriel returns, the color Wis.,
IDLY burning in her cheeks and casting
a beseeching glance at Miles. whose
wrathful eyes are glittering. you
should not discuss family matters in pub
lic."
This is said very reprovingly. but still
with a pleasant little. humorous smile.
which makes more than amends for all
severity Major I.lewellyn thinks.
well, but still you know rights right!'
retorts the charming youth with a grin.
| seemingly having very little feeling one
| way or the other in the matter beyond
that of annoying or Notifying his step
| sister. ''and that diamond pin is mine,
Miss Murrie."
| Twill you have some more tea. Sylves-
ter?" she asks, smiling kindly on the ILL
cOnultlOneO, lu-naIureu boy.
mo, won't. I'll have my diamond
pin!' Sylvester retorts, with his saucy,
| giggling laugh. and impudent grin.
you cannot have what you cannot
get" answered Muriel. shortly and stern
~; and then the boys mean, cowardly
nature, having forced her into the SEM
blance at least Of qua rel, is satisfied.
Cant get! Why can't get it?" he
demands. in sharp-pitched, bullying
tone. "You got i'll don't know where
or how" this with an accent of malig-
!, nifty that might have belonged to bel
dame of sixty-"but it isn't yours, any
how-not honestly"
Eric Llewellyn stirs suddenly as II
sharp thorns had developed themselves
in the cushions of his chair, and Miles
rises and strides over to the tea table
with his tea-cup in his hand, puts it down
quietly and lays his hand on Sylvester's
shoulder. and Muriel's face whitens to her
very lips.
What the poor little girl has been try
ing so patiently to avert is coming to
pass after ala family quarrel-and poor
Muriel has reason to tremble at the bare
thought-a vulgar family squabble. pos
sibly carried out to disgraceful degree
before this stranger, this English gentle
man. Miles friend She IL hardly aware
of the passion of troubled entreaty and
1 apology that is flung in the glance of her
dilating eyes towards Eric Llewellyn as
| he politely endeavors to be deaf and blind
to any untoward possibilities. She is
certainly not aware of how swift and
sure 10 her mute appeal to him to be
| noted and Obeyed
Sylvester" Miles says, and he is so
quiet-at a white heat of fury. as it were
that the valiant young gentleman is
cowed for the nonce, IF hear YOU utter
one word more Of the impertinent false
hoods with which you have been teasing
Muriel for these last ten minutes, will
turn you out of the room"
''Oh, Miles, please DON'T! Muriel NUT
tiers in a sort of agony of alarm and
shame at the scene that is impending.
please pass it by now"
"No, shall mott" Miles says, furiously,
''and he shall either apologize this in
slant, or-out of the room he goes"
Eyes. yes! He will apologize, of course, y
Llewellyn says, hastily. seeing that he
cannot assume the deafness and blind
ness any longer. You did not mean to
annoy or offend your sister, l am sure,
Sylvester. Say SO, like a good fellow"
For a moment or two the instinct of
defiance RACES strong in the lads breast.
and sinister look from his deep-set eyes
rests on one after the other of the three
before him. On Eric Llewellyn first-on
his sternly handsome. sun-browned face.
and straight, tall, shapely figure. well-bred
inevery detail and outline. On Muriel next
the color burning in two dark-rose
spots on her cheeks, her eyes a-glitter
with angry tears. On Miles last-that is.
only for one baleful glance of hate and
then Sylvester says. indistinctly and SUI
lenly:
II didn't want to offend Muriel l
only said she might let me look At the
pin sometimes, when it was fathers"
Miles temper RACES rather higher al
this artfully-uttered speech.
put it away. and don't wear it," he
says II won't allow you to wear it.
Muriel. I'll bring you diamond star
from Dublin or London. Or, Eric, you
can buy one after my direction in Bond
street. can't you? Az soon as you 20