Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-06-24
CHAPTER Nv,

pletely by surprise that for some time she
was unable to think clearly.
Even the next morning. when she open.
ed her eyes, her first feeling was painful
confusion.
She longcd to hear what Mabel thought
of the wonderful cvent-shc must tell Ma
bel; MIR. Egerton would not mind that;
but to every one else she would be mute
no one would know of his rejection.
But Eeerton was by no means anxious
to conceal the fnct that he had offered
himsclf-his old name. his fine estate. his
large invcstments-to this young, insignif-
cant girl-"a mere no%body"-as the Dow
agcr. Mrs. Callander. was wont to re-
mark.
He did not present himself as early as
usual at "lhe Knoll' the next day, but
meeting Standish. who had been strolling
on the pier at an hour when it was e<c.tly
in the possession of ancient mariners. he
passed his arm through that of Standish
with unusual familiarity. saying, II was
on my way to have n little talk with Cal
lander. Will you come with me"
"Ycs, if you like; you'll be rather clever
If YOU get him to talk."
They approached the Knoll. Mt the gate
of which they met Colonel Callander. He
greeted them with more animation than
usual.
Egerton told them of his proposal to
Dorothy and her rejection of him. He
begged the two to assist him in inducing
her to change her mind. This Colonel
Callander readily consented to do, but
Paul Standish did not show any grea:
eagcrness to exert any influence on the
mind of his ward.
1.-The only person to whom l feel inclined
to contide so important a piece of intelli-
gence,' said the Colonel finally. "is TO my
mother. 1t is right she should know, es-
Dorothy under her care when we so
away"
go away! Who is going away?" cried
Egerton sharply, with a keen glance like
n stab.
Don't suppose l am going to do my
thing dcspcrate," said Callander, with a
grave smile. Mrs. Callander and l talk
of going abroad for IL month or two. I
want to have II look at the battlefie!ds on
the French frontier. and to go ON into
Switzerland OF course Dorothy will
stay here"
The trio dispersed. Standish proceeding
along the beach to IL long spit which
stretched far into the waters.
Meanwhile Callandcr and Egerton walk.
ed slowly toward the hotel where the
powagcr had established herself. Here
Escr;on left him.
When Colonel Callander was ushered
INTO his mothers sitting room he found
her as usual richly and deliberately dress
ca. and knitting a huge coverlet, while
MISS bootliby, her companion, read aloud.
She gave IL cold straight uuresuonsive
hand to her son.
i nope YOU are all right after Your
long day i'll the open air." he said. as he
drew Il chair near her work table.
"ihahk you. l am as usual. / get
little sleep. My mind is too anxious to
permit of rcpose!'
That's bad,' said Colonel Callander.
vaguely.
Won need not stay. Miss Boothby,"
said the Dowagcr. Il wish to converse
with my SON" The meek companion rose
With Il smile and disappeared.
Il came tn ask you if you have any
commands, as | think of going up to town
Tomorrow. ! want to arrange one or two
matters before going north"
North! Why. where are you going
now" pucru.ously.
Mabel aud | think of taking n trim
through the Highlands, or to SWITZERLAND
think she wants Il change MS m,,ch ~. i
do 'A"en as =
There agree with you." observed Mrs
Callander. significantly. "She has had n
worn. distressed look ever sirce-I moan
Tor a considerable time"
You think soy" said her son. with n
quick: flcry fash from his dark cyes-a
warning which even his mother dared not
C!sfrsard. II trust She has no cause for
distress OF anXicty-at all events she
seems to consider the pa1acea for her ills
Is Il quiet journey with me-"
u am sincerely cad to hear it." with
pointed cmnl!asis-''pray. when do Won
s%tart.' ''u
FAIRY next week. May 1 ask WIN,
your plans arc:' wa"
~ you are going away there is no mr..
ueolar object in my remaining. don't
suppose even when you return 1 shall SOC
much of YOU W.
mere Us no reason why we should not
ne us mich together as you like" returned
ue eolonel dryly. However. if you are
'.nLiol'anle mere. and don't mind staying.
/. sho"lu he glad If you would, bccause.n
ne stopped and seemed to have lost tho
thread OF MS discourse-his eyes wander.
"'AAuSNs anu cNllcntlv nrpopp,,.
ped with some distant object visible tn
the inner sense. ~
Well" said his mother at last. looking
up from her knitting with some SURPRISE
why do you wish me to stay:"
Her son looked at her with a bewiIdercd
aspect. and then passing his hand over his
brow, eSclnimed: Il beg your pardon. i
forgot what was saying. wished YOU
20 stay, because Mabel and l intend ia hc
away about six weeks or so, and dorothy
Will he here a!oncthat would bc OF M
consequence. but Egcrton has Just pro.
posed to me for her. 1t seems that dor.
othy refused him. hut he very wisely vii,
not take a girls first no. So lie begs ia
be allowed opportunities Of pressing his
suit-and---"
REFUSED him." said Mrs. Callanacr. in
. high key. 'Shc must be out OF he,
mind! He is n match for an carl's daush.
ter. Why. it will be quite a distinguish.
I'd connection. OF course she will accep,
him! she must. Dorothy has her tempers
and is altogether wanting in a knowledge
of what she owes to us, but l Away,
thought there was some moral worth il
her"
ultimately she will do az she uxea. bu,