The Atlanta constitution., 1900-08-27

| John Erie had been a good deal offended
| by his sisters replies. lie was one or
those thoroughly worthy Englishmen
| who never gave any second meaning to a
| word. or read between the lines Of any
letter He believed good hard working
women deserving Of all respect. and also
| fondlv believed he gave II to them.
whereas the least freedom of opinion. the
| smallest self-assertion on their part ex-
| cited his contemptuous anger. his deter
| mined opposition.
| 1t seemed to him that Madeleine was
| continuing the same Intimate tone with
| North when they all met at breakfast
next morning. She was gay and culpably
| familiar. True that unobservant he
usually was he did notice that she looked
exceedingly pale and that SOFT. dusky
shadows lay below her eyes. but she
smiled brightly upon their guest and his
eyes followed her with a kind Of fascina-
| tion. Presently Madeleine. addressing
her brother. said pleasantly: Il am go
Ing to promote Dolly and Jim: what do
YOU think they are going to add to their
studes?"
Does that mean lessons?" he asked
grufGY.
Yes. They are to begin German today.
Dcllv thinks she Will like to learn"
well. don't care to talk the language
of those nasty. dirty Beers" cried Jim.
II do not see that there's much good
In troubling about IT," added Erie
II am not so sure" exclaimed North.
II have always found 1t an advantage in
dealing with the Beers to speak their
language, and believe me. you'll have a
good da.S to do with them by the time
this boy Of yours reaches manhood.
Il fear cannot teach a very profound
knowledge OF the language. l have only
Ian nal -ha4 lie cit 7
can break up the ground a little! So. Mr..
North. you must take your ride with my
brother today. for the children's holidays
have lasted rather too long"
I'm glad you thought of It, said Erie
Sure Dolly has had lessons in the
kitchen every day of her life!' put In Mrs
Sutton. "and I'll back cooking against
German any day"
There's some truth in that" returned
the master. ''Well. North! let us ride over
and see how st. Maur's wagon and traps
and the oxen are being looked after.
fancy they'll not be much longer away.
Then l think they'll want Some lion
shooting. after which I fancy they are
disposed to return home. Forester has
his own plans. He is an ambitious fellow
and will 20 far or | am much mistaken"
"Oh. he has plenty of brains!' agreed
North.
So It was arranged that Erie and his
guest should ride together and from
that day North had no tete-a-tete walk or
ride with his child friend. She was as
frankly kind as ever, and sometimes join
ed him and Erie in their excursions. but
try as he would, he could never catch
her alone. This he felt well aware could
not happen without contrivance. ana
North began to think that being a sensi-
ble thoughtful girl. Madeleine no doubt
reflected that she would be wise TO avoid
too close an intimacy with n man who
had such a gap in his life. as ten years
quite unaccounted for He had flattere1
himself that the impression he had made
on her childish heart was not quite obit-
Grated vet to explain himself 10 her and
her brother did not exactly suit him just
yet. and he feared so puritanical man as
John Erie would view his story with
strong disapprobation. Yet he was too
profoundly fascinated by his newest,
deepest love to give up hope easily,
though he feared Madeleine was drifting
away from him. Meantime she grew
paler and thinner as the gulf which had
opened between them. grew wider, and
John Erie congratulated himself on tho
result of a few sensible, authoritative
words" to n silly girl.
1t was more than five weeks since North
had fallen "A victim TO st. Maurs erratc
shooting and he had apparently regained
his normal condition of health and
strength. He had even begun to talk OF
riding up 10 the Lakchari village, where
he had left Numiala in charge of his
wagon, oxen and scanty belongings. "a
he Informed Erie he had almost made up
his mind TO visit England. but first he
must put his affairs in order.
And who shall you leave In charge un-
til you RETURN
81 may not return" said North slowly
rs If TO himself. ANY way l shall make
my way to Cape Town. and leave my af-
fairs I'm the hands OF Fleming, you know
Fleming. the general agents-I have al
ways found them very satisfactory peo-
Pile"
"Yes, I believe they are" returned Erie.
and there was a pause.
Erie, HIS sister and guest were riding
together rather late In the afternoon, and
drawing near home, when Erie suddenly
exclaimed, II must go round by old Kali
aras Kraal. They tell me he has been
very sick these last few days. He IS one
OF our Becuana herds. lie has been long
time on the land, with poor Sykes be-
fore ! came here You can go on home.
Madeleine, well come on Soon
81 remember him. years ago. rejoined
North well IT'S still a couple Of miles
from the house. so l viii see Miss Erie
home: II is rather too far for her to ride
alone"
This was said very quietly but resolute-
", and Erie felt he could not refuse as
sent without creating an argument which
was by no means what would suit him.
"Oh. very well. thank YOU" he said
civily, and ~~osently he turned off by
cart track which led 10 more distant
part of the farm.
North pressed his horse with his heel
and drew close to Madeleine's side, and
they rode for a few yards in silence.
Madeleine, said North, at length, In
his deep, soft tones. which sent culver
along the currents of her life blood as
though they had been vocal caress,
"how have | ofended?
"You have not offended at ALL" she re-
turned quickly, rejoicing to have chance
of speaking to him, yet feeling embar-
rassed how to explain a change which
was Involuntary.
'Then why have you sent me into ban
! ishment? If you had chosen might have
had many a confidential talk with YOU
! If you had any idea what refreshment
OF the soul that is to me. you would not
deny it,
Madeleine did not speak for minute.
She could not fence with Goeffrey Msle,
she was so hedged in by difficulties her
brother had created that she dared not be
frank.
II have often wished 10 talk TO you as
| used" she began at last. but 1 could
not"
II think 1 understand said North