The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-01-19

fields, perhaps, with her little boy, or
visiting some of her old village friends
Feeling strong in this hope, he hurried
on toward the Castle.
He found Miss Hetherington alone.
She was glad to see him, but rated him
soundly on what she termed his neg
lect.
1T is not for me to control we il We
dinna wish to come, Johnnie Suther-
land" she said. You're your own
master, and We can gang your own
gait, but it's scarcely fair to Marjorie.
She's lonesome, poor lassie, and she
takes it ill that We come so seldom"
Miss Hetherington," returned Suth-
erland. II stayed away not because l
wished, but because l took too much
pleasure in coming l love Marjorie.
I've loved her ever since l was a lad,
and l shall love her till die. l
couldn't come before, knowing she had
husband; but it's for you to say now
whether l may come in or not"
For me? What do you mean, John
ME Sutherland"
For answer he put both the letter
and paper in her hand, and babe her
read. She did read; eagerly at first,
but as she proceeded her hand trem-
5led, the tears streamed from her eyes
and the paper fell from her grasp
God forgive mer' she cried; cts
an evil thing to rejoice at the death
Of fellow-creature, yet l Gamma but
rejoice. He broke the heart of my poor
BARN, and he tried to crush down me,
but Heaven be praised! we are both
free now. Johnnie Sutherland, you say
that you love her? Weel, I'm glad.
You're good lad. Comfort her If you
can, and may God bless we BOTH
That very night Marjorie learned the
news from Miss Hetheringtor. The old
lady told 1t with ring Of joy in her
voice, but Marjorie listened with a
shudder. After all, the man was her
husband. Despite his cruelty, she had
once almost loved him; and, though she
could not mourn him as a widow
should, she tried to respect the dead.
But it was only for a while; then the
cloud lifted, and she almost thanked
God that she was free.
Sutherland now became a constant
visitor at the Castle, and sometimes it
'seemed to him and to Marjorie also
that their early days had returned; the
ssame, yet not the same, for the old
Castle looked bright and genial now,
and 1t was, moreover, presided over by
a bright, genial mistress.
Things could not last thus forever.
Marjorie knew it; and one evening she
was awakened from her strange dream.
She had been out during the afternoon
with her little boy, and as they were
walking back toward the Castle they
were joined by Sutherland For time
the three remained walking together,
little Leon clinging on to Sutherland's
hand; but after a while the child ran
on to pluck some flowers, and left the
two together.
How he loves your said Marjorie,
noting the child's backward glance; II
don't think he will ever forget the ride
yeu gave him on the roundabouts at
the Champs ElyseesNyou were very
kind to him; you were very kind to us
both"
She paused, but he said nothing;
presently she raised her eyes, and she
saw that he was looking nxedly at her.
She blushed and turned her head aside,
but he gained possession of her hand.
Marjorie" he said, "you know why
I was kind to you, do you not? 1t was
because l loved you, Marjorie. l love
you now shall always love you; tell
me, will you some day be my wife?"
The word was spoken, either for good
or evil, and he stood like man await
ing his death sentence. For time she
did not answer; when she turned her
face toward him it was quite calm.
"Have you thought well?" she said
81 am not what / was. am almost
an old woman now, and there is my
boy"
LET him be my boy, Marjorie; DO nc,
s~y No!
She turned toward him and put both
ser hands in his.
81 say YES" she answered. with
kli my heart, but not yet-not YETI"
Later on that evening, when little
leon lay peacefully sleeping in his cot
and Miss Hetherington was doing in
her easy-chair, Marjorie, creeping from
the house, walked in the Castle grounds
20 think over her new-found happiness
alone. Was it all real, she asked her
self. or only dream? Could it G true
that she, after all her troubles, would
Sud SO much peace9 1t seemed strange
yst it must be true. Yes. she was free
=: iaxt.