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

CdAPlER lll.-(COntlnueu)
There is a long silence as Eric Level
lyn ceases speaking, and the twilight deep
ems. and only the outline of Miles
O'Hara's face can be seen as he lies back
in his easy chair, smoking uninterrupt-
eddy. save for the two or three deep signs
from his lips that disturb the stiffness.
"By-the-by, Miles," Eric says at last,
"were you speaking literally or figura-
lively when you said that your step-broth-
er Sylvester came in for everything?
Miles started perceptibly.
"Droll enough! The very thing l was
thinking off, he says. hurriedly. Eyes.
every jot and title, Eric. His mothers
money paid off several of the mortgages
on the estate, and his mothers money
kept the house over our heads for years.
and SO. in justice he must have all that
there is to have, hang him! IL have
made my will, poor Miles says solemnly,
yet not without certain proud satisfac-
ton in his tones, land left her everything
that was mine to leave. There are TWEEN
" shares in the Hibernian Gold Mining
Company, Consolidated; they weren't
worth more than two hundred pounds
when they were bought, and they're worth
nearly FIVE hundred now," he says, rather
triumphantly. THAT, and the silver. cof-
fee and tea service and some old china and
other things of our mothers, those are all
Muriel's own personal property. have
named you one of the executors, old fell
low" Miles resumes, in would-be off
hand voice, ''and you'll look after her
little, won't you? See how Sylvesters
going to treat her, and--ahd if she has to
80 away, she has a godmother in Cork
But don't know how the poor little girl
" his voice fails utterly for moment.
You might sell out those shares for me,
you know, when they rise bit. as they re
sure to do" he says, unsteadily-''t hey
might bring the child in a trifle for her
support"
Nonsense. man." Eric interrupts short
~ and decisively. to prevent Miles from
injecting him with his own emotion. IF
you leave your little sister to my care. you
leave her in my care. You need not say
another wordv'
Perhaps you have wondered that you
nave not yet met my sister, Eric, old fell
low! says Miles, rather deprecatingly,
land perhaps you won't understand my
feeling when tell you how it is. and why
never introduce any visitors of mine to
my sister? Well, I'll tell you. only
invite men here to q bachelors house.
This IL no establishment at the head Of
which I should like to see my sister az
mistress. 1t is shabby. forlorn place at
Its best, and men can rough it here as
they would in shooting lodge, but not
- they ought to do in Miss O'Hara's
homev'
II understand you, certainly" Eric
says, dryly as before, with reference to
the general run of friends and acquaint-
ances. But should have imagined you
would have made an exception in my
case"
Miles looks confused, Eric fancies..
'.Of course, would--of course
nonsense," he says, hurriedly rising and
lighting the candles in the furnished can
delabra and the old fashioned girandoles
shout the room. 'Of course you were diff
ferent; but-but, somehow, that was the
very reason that did not care to show
you all the nakedness of the land. How
ever, If you like, we can soon remedy my
omission"
s.By lighting fifteen candles!" asks Eric
Llewellyn, coolly. rs that what you
mean, that you are so reckless in the
matter Of waxlights, my good fellow"
mo, no! Nonsense!' Miles says. rath-
er peevishly, as he rings the bell. and
p0kes up the blazing fire. .'Only to make
the room little cheerful. 1t is SO dull
and dark, and-and shall ask Muriel to
come down and pour out tea for us this
evening"
And before Major Llewellyn can utter
Z word of the coldly polite remonstrancs
which rises to his lips against disturbing
Miss O'Hara, Miles has darted out OF
the room, and he hears him tramping nois-
lily along the bare, tiled hall and calling to
the servants, issuing some directions, pos
sibly, for presently Hannah enters, hastily
tying on her clean apron as she comes
and lays the cloth, and then the tea table
with scrupulous care, brings in dish OF
hot buttered scenes, fresh from the baking
! gFiddle, and lastly a cut-glass dish OF
sptendid honey in the white waxen cells
,of its comb, honey of purest amber hue
land with the scent of the heather blossom
in Its fragrant deliciousness. And then
% the table is laid, Hannah draws aside
q little to wait, with her eyes fixed on the
door, and despite supercilious curl Of
his lip, Major Llewellyn finds himself
waiting and watching. SO that when the
door at length opens he is bewildered ant
disguised with himself to feel that hi.
heart quickens its beating exceedingly, a.
he rises to meet Miles, with young lady
leaning on his arm.
.sThis 10 my friend, Eric Llewellyn
Murrie," he says, land my sister, Murie
O'Hara, Eric" and there is suppressed
pride and pleasure shining in his eye,
and trembling in his voice as he eagerly
watches the handsome, impressive face Of
his friend during the introduction. I'm
passive, save in one respect. the CLEAN OF
establishment and admiration in Fri,
Liewellyn's keen gray eyes, as he bow,
and surveys, with swift but critica
glance, the girls face and figure, set of
81 the simple but elegantly fashioned
dress Of myrtle green merino and satir
which she wears. And al he looks a
her his proud lips relax, his cold eyel
sleam with q touch of fire in their pas
aionate depths, for Muriel VHara is yer,
fair 70 see-a slim, tall, lissome maiden
IN the very early opening bloom of sweet
pure womanhood, with classic grace o.
pale purity Of contour and complexion