The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-10-18


Good morning. father" said he.
OF the contention of feeling that ran
high In Mr.. Nlcholson's starehed bosom
no outward sign was visible; nor dla
he delay lons to make choice OF con-
duct. Yet in that interval he had re-
viewed a great field OF possibilities
both past and future; whether 1t was
possible he had not been perfectly wise
in his treatment of John; whether 1t
was possible that John was innocent;
whether. if he turned John out sec
ond time, as his outraged authority
suggested, 1t was possible TO avoid a
scandal; and whether, il he went to
that extremity, it was possible that
Alexander might rebel
HUM said Mr.. Nicholson, and put
his hand, limp and dead, into Johns.
And then, in an embarrassed silence,
all took their places; and even the pa
perform which II rs the old gentle
mans habit to sue, .ortifcation daily.
as he marked the 2cline of our insti-
tutions -eyen the paper lay furled by
his side.
But presently Flora came to the res
cue. She slid into the silence with
technicality, asking If John still took
his old inordinate amount of sugar.
Thence it was but step to the burn
ing question of the day; and in tones
a little shaker, she commented on the
interval since she had last made tea
for the prodigal, and congratulated
him on his return. And then address
ing Mr.. Nicholson, she congratulated
him also in a manner that defied his
ill-humor; and from that launched into
the tale of Johns misadventures, not
without some suitable suppressions.
Gradually Alexander Joined; between
them, whether he would or not, they
forced a word or two from John; and
these fell TREMENDOUSLY, and spoke so
eloquently of mind oppressed with
dread, that Mr.. Nicholson relented. At
length even he contributed a question;
and before the meal was at an end all
four were talking even freely.
Prayers followed, with the servants
gaping at this newcomer whom no one
had admitted; and after prayers there
came that moment on the clock which
was the signal for Mr.. Nlcholson's de-
rarture.
john" said he, "of course you will
stay here. Be very careful not to excite
Maria. IL Miss Mackenzie thinks 1t de-
slrable that you should see her. Alex
ander, wish to speak with you alone"
And then, when they were both in the
back room: "You need not come to the
office today" said he; you can stay
and amuse your brother, and / think
1t would be respectful to call on Uncle
Greig. And by the bye" (this spoken
with certain-dare we say bash
fulness), II agree to concede the prin-
ciple Of an allowance; and / will con-
suit with Doctor Durie, who is quite a
man of the world and has sons of his
own, as to the amount. And, my fine
fellow, you may consider yourself in
luck" he added, smiling.
Thank YOU" said Alexander.
Before noon a detective had restored
to John his money, and brought
news, sad enough in truth. but
perhaps the least sad possible. Alan
had been found in his own house in Re-
gents Terrace, under care Of the ter
rified butler. He was quite mad, and
instead Of going to prison had gone
to Morningside Asylum. Tie murder
ed man, it appeared, was an evicted
tenant who had for nearly year pur-
sued his late landlord with threats and
insults; and beyond this. the cause and
details of the tragedy were lost.
When Mr.. Nicholson returned from
dinner they were able to put a dispatch
into his hands: John ". Nicholson,
Randolph Crescent, Edinburgh.--Kirk-
man has disappeared; police looking
FOR him. All understood. Keep mind
quite easy.-Austin." Having had this
explained to him, the old gentleman
took down the cellar key and departed
for t'yc bootleg sc The 1926 port Uncle
Greig dined there that day, and cousin
Robina, and, by an odd chance, Mr..
Macewen; and the presence of these
strangers relieved what might have
been otherwise a somewhat strained
relation. Ere they departed, the fam
lily was welded once more into a fair
semblance of unity.
In the end Of April John led Flora
to the altar. IL altar that may be
called which was indeed the drawing
room mantel-piece in Mr.. Nicholson's
house, with the Reverend DR.. Durie
posted on the hearth-rug in the guise
OF Hymen's priest.
The last / saw of them, on recent
visit to the north, was at dinner-party
in the house of my old friend Gellatly