The Red Cloud chief., 1897-07-16

er. lnou8n MS
body was frail,
however, his intellect was as bright as
ever, and when Marjorie entered the
study he was busily engaged In read
ing one Of his favorite books.
He looked up with his kindly smile
as his foster-daughter appeared.
us 1t you. my bairn?" he said, as
he came over and kissed her. "Wel-
come home again! Though you have
been scarcely a week away, l have
missed you sorely, and have been
counting the days till your return"
For some months past, l should now
explain, Marjorie had beer accustomed
to stay at a ladies' school in the neigh
boring town from Monday till Friday
of every week, returning each Friday
afternoon, and remaining till the fol-
lowing Monday. This arrangement had
been found necessary, as it was i'm
possible for the girl to complete her
simple education at home, and as the
distance was too great for her to go
to anil fro daily without inconvenience.
And what news have you got from
the town." continued the minister, as
Marjorie, holding his hand in hers,
sank into a chair at his side. How is
Miss Carruthers? and how do you get
along with your studies?"
Miss Carruthers sends her compli-
mCnts, and as she Is called away to
Edinburgh to see her sick sister I nm
to bide at home for a week. A whole
week, Mr.. Lorraine, and in May-time!
Oh, l am so glad!"
80 am I, my BARN." said the min
lister, "A weeks rest will do me good
too, l hope, for l have been far from
well since you went away. I had one
of my old attacks on Tuesday, and
have been obliged to keep in the
house."
you will be better now" said Mar
iorie. Il will nurse you!"
"Ay, ay; and the sight Of your face
and the sound of your voice will de
me more good than the doctor. BY th'
way, my BARN, I had one here toda,
lnquiring after you, and she will bt
here again this evening""
Il know! Miss Hetherington, OF The
CASTER"
Yes, Miss Hetherington. 1t l!
strange, my BARN, how much interes
the good lady takes in you-she wht
cares SO little for any other living
thing; and yet, after all, it is no
strange, for my Marjorie is a favorit'
with high and low"
Tho otrl,c fooa urow troubled 90 CHI,
answered:
II hope, Mr.. Lorraine, she won't b,
asking me up to the Castle; ! feel 81
lonely there, and she-she frighten
me sometimes! She has such strang
ways, and the house Is an awful place.
well, we'll, you must be careful no
to offend her. for she Is a tru
friend"
II know she Is very rich and good
tho, but for all that l cannot bear to b
alone in her company. / wonder VIII.
she likes to have me! She sits In he
armchair looking at me for hours 10
gether, till sometimes / feel as IL
could scream out and run away!"
"She is a strange woman" said tn
minister, thoughtfully; but you hav
no reason to fear her. She takes
great interest in you, and in all tina
concerns you."
II know that, but"
Her eccentricities are only put or
think, to conceal a heart that Is trul
kindly. You must try to humor hel
my BARN. Not that l would have yo
shape YOU conduct toward her by an
sordid hope of future gain; no, NJ
that would be unworthy; but 1t Is wei
after all to have 80 powerful a frient
should anything happen to me-"
"Oh, don't speak like that" ex
claimed Marjorie, her eyes filling wit
tears. IL cannot bear It,"
Solomon here interrupted the cor
yersation by bringing in the tea.
Marjorie took off her hat and shaw
and sitting at the table. began to pou
out the tea, while Mr.. Lorraine, forget
ting his recent train Of thought, Ques
toned her anew about her doings 1
the town. Thus far they chatted cheer
fully together and shared the simpl
meal.
And how about the French. Ma
jorie?" asked MI. LORRAINE present..
"ASs you coming M"
~very slowly" was her reply. :
find It hard to pronounce. and the vert
are Q dreadful t~rouble-and The ger
ders. It's so hard to tell whether
thing is masculine or feminine. and
wonder how the French folks then
selves car tell. I'm afraid I'll new
learn the French rightly"
II could never master 1t mysel
though. after all. maybe. l never fair
tried; it's a queer kind of tongue. iii
the chirping of birds. I'm thinkin
What like Is your teacher?"
Monsieur Caussidiere? A handson
gentleman. with black hair and bla,
eyes"
"A young man, Marjorie:~
mot old. but very grave and sad
- he had had much trouble. and