The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-07-27

RVoSN HOoySCIulH lTip 10 TNGV6u6. AEFlV.
Ing in San Franclsco he places her in The
care Of Major Emmott and his daughter,
English people travelling in the west: and
company them TO England to make the &C
e during his enforced absence.
CHAPTER XIII.
Lilac wondered why It was that Major
Emmott grew more and more severe In
his manner with each succeeding day of
the voyage. For the last two or three
days he had scarcely addressed her at
all; and Lilac was surprised and little
startled when one day after dinner, he
turned toward her to say in his gravest
manner:
>.'If it is convenient to you. Miss
Marvel. 1 should like to have few mo-
ments. conversation with you when, we
60 on deck"
Certainly, Major Emmott." Lilac
wondered what the old gentleman could
have to talk about, and the gravity of
his manner made her feel that 1t was
something very serious.
Serious indeed 1t was, as she found
directly the major began to talk. !.
Miss Marvel" he began jerkily. ner-
vously twisting his moustache. II have
. very unpleasant duty to perform. and
you will pardon me. / am sure. as an
old soldier II do 1t rather bluntly."
The girl bowed her head and won-
dered again what was coming. She was
not to remain long in doubt.
1T is about this Mr.. Mowbray that
I wished to speak," the major went
on. ut has occurred to both my
daughter and myself that-to speak
,plainly-you are flirting with him
Please do not interrupt me. OF course
you may have different ideas as to what
10 proper for a young engaged wo-
man to do; but. since you are under
my charge and associate with my own
daughter. l. cannot refrain from stat
Ing candidly what my opinion Of your
conduct is. It seems to me to be de-
serving OF the severest censure. Not
content with introducing yourself to
Q perfect stranger and spending sever
81 hours every day in his company. 1
Gee that you taken to exchanging notes.
Ny daughter was shocked to observe
that you handed an envelope to Mr..
Nowbray this morning when you met.
Such conduct may seem right to you.
but to me It seems unfair to Sir Roy
don Garth and also to Mr.. Mowbray
himself. I have no doubt that the
young man. II his marked attentions to
you are seriously intended. has drawn
the greatest encouragement from your
manner, which does not seem to me in
the least betting the future wife Of
an English gentleman or the associate
Sf my daughter. know. Of course. that
your opinions are likely from the cir
cumstances OF your birth and educa-
ton, to be different from my own. but
on the present subject It seems to me
that It is impossible for two opinions
to exist To put 1t on its lowest ground.
your conduct is very cruel to this Mr..
Mowbray. whose attentions to you are
In all probability quite serious. took
Il upon myself. when those attentions
first became marked. to inform him Of
your engagement to Sir Roydon Garth.
but hear that you have taken pains
to nullify the effect OF my announce
ment. NY daughter accidentally over
heard you telling Mr.. Mowbray that
your engagement to Sir Roydon Garth
was only provisional one. and giving
him the impression generally that It
was not q real engagement at ala
circumstance which almost justifies the
young man In ignoring 1t altogether.
FOR his sake, as well as for my own
renutation and the duty owe Sir Roy
don Garth. feel bound to make this
protest"
He had run on grandiloquently. with
out giving Lilac the chance of saying
word in her own defense. She had
stopped at the beginning Of his har-
anRue. and stood quite still as she lis
tened, her face white and red by
turns. her big blue eyes wide open
with conformation and surprise. Now.
when he paused. she opened her pale
lips to reply. but her throat was 90
dry that speaking was dihicult.
"But indeed you make mistaken
she began hoarsely. THE envelope ]
handed to MI. Mowbray did not con-
tain letter at all. II contained the
manuscript Of q short story which he
Kindly lent me to read. I"
The Major did not listen.
..hfy dear young lady. you may be
sure that I have made every possible
allowance in your favor before speak
ing as .harshly Of your conduct as
have felt obliged to do. Pray do not
attempt 10 excuse yourself ! may
have Inisjudged you respec citing some
unimportant details: but your general
conduct with regard to MI. Mowbray
does not admit OF defense, and
should mot be surprised 4 II exerted
; very Injurious influence on Your f.l-
ture life. The mischief that women Dc
81 firting II very great, and I SPEAK
earnestly, because I happened to ex-
!. psrierce Il myself when 49, = younl
: mn. Ths circunaatances were almost