Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-12-20

CIea0-CuL lips dHu hESs J~
that seemed to look ~ through, SO
piercing was his gaze.
County, and polished in manner, II
vet always giving M the Idea that
one had TO do with a volcano OF a man,
who might blaze out at any moment
las no doubt he had done when he sur
prised Nora in his rooml. L judged
him to be over forty, but though pas
sion had left some lines on his race
his glossy black hair showed never a
trace of grey.
He greeted me pleasantly. and,
| choosing for his topic Of conversation
a subject in which / was particularly
interested. he impressed me most
~favorably, for he gave me the oppor-
tunity of airing my views, and confined
himself to remarks that served 10
draw me out farther and farther.
There are many, l know. who would
have found too much of the French
man in him to please them; but, TO
nv mind, he seemed to have taken the
better part of his nature from MS
mother-that is. so far as one regarded
him specifically. His manner may
have been nothing more than a vaneer,
but how much better this h tina
he, or anyone else for that matter,
who has an ugly exterior. should De
for ever showing 1t. I like plain
straightforward folk; but If a man has
a temper. I think all the better or him
If he does not show it on n n
every occasion.
7 had very little chance of speaking
TO Nora alone. and indeed we exchang-
ed but a few commonplace remarks,
so as I tade them Good afternoon" 1
could no help feeling that this legiti-
mate method of seeing my late pupll
might be all that propriety allowed.
but that II was not half so pleasant
as when we two were together, away
yonder In the woods.
Still, I must lake the good the gods
sent lie, and so I planned a little
dinner-party for a day in the followin
week. and / dispatched Graves with
invitations to Mr.. and Miss Courtney
and friends, and to the rector n his
rood lady, who had been kin enough
TO look me up several times, and / was
delighted whe the irish party accept
ed en- masse, and felt that L should
get over the non-acceptance or the
Church rarity, who pleaded a previous
engagement.
Then I found that Mrs. Graves n
I had very different views with regard
TO dinners in general, and this one in
particular, and she must have such
and such help in the cooking depart
ment, and someone to wait at table be-
sides Graves, and I don't know
ouo-lnYno1f IL, Tho Ettnhnn fn get
through her culinary efforts in a cred
liable manner l didn't stint her in any
way, and as h day drew nigh she be-
came as autocratic as if the whole
place belonged TO her, and as though
the lives of all in it were at her dis
posal.
Then came my first disappointment
with regard to what I intended to be
a recherche repast that should linger
long in the minds of those who par
took of ii.
Mcguire had a letter from a firm in
Edinburgh, who seemed to be nibbling
at his book, and who offered to pay his
expenses If he would go to see them,
and as this was only the day before
the great event, and as I could not
persuade him to put off starting, ever
for an hour, away went with him the
fun and the witty conversation that 1
had looked to him to supply.
But a still greater blow was in store
for me. 1t was four o'clock on the
afternoon of the eventful day. i had
gone over the wine list. and had wor-
ried Graves until disgust was writ
my large upon his face. I had arran-
ed anr re-arranged my guests at table,
and had laid my plans for their amuse-
ment afterwards. and finally had set
tied myself down TO a comfortable
smoke, when I heard the bell announ-
cling a visitor, and. wondering what
caller had chosen this particular day
to look me. up, I awaited the appear
ance Of Graves with some curiosity.
Miss Courtney, sir. wishes to speak
to you. She's in the drawing-room."
Nora! What could she want? I had
to wait but a very short time to know,
for ever before I had released her hand
h had entered into explanations.
I've brought o a letter, Mr.. Ire
mayne, from my cousin. He has had
to leave us in a great hurry, and he
hadn't been out of the house five min
utes before father went off to his club,
as he calls it. / could sit down and cry
my yes out, for I've the loveliest
dress you ever saw, and he's been
bothering me all the week with his
dress clothes, getting them aired and
that, and now we sha'n't be able to
come at all. Read Maurice's letter. I
think he's done it all to spite us. i hate
his black face and his evil eyes, and If
II wasn't that he's spoilt 1t all, I'd be
glad that he's gone
IT vas a most polite epistle with
which / lad been favored. The writer
regretted tht his mother had received
an urgent message calling her to the
North of Ireland. and as the matter
did not admit Of OF the slightest de-
lay, h was starting at once, and he
must needs accompany her. as h was
not strong enough TO undertake so
long a journey alone. Would I there
fore accept their apologies. and believe
hat the loss would be theirs, not mine?
They hoped at some future date to re-
new so pleasant an acquaintance. and
he was etc, etc.
but why can't you and Mr.. Court
ney come" I asked.
Her face flushed as she answered me
I've TOLD YOU" she said, " where he's