The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-07-11
A4444444444 44444444
8 * LOVE IS BEST ~. i
BY Florence Hodsknson II
l.? 81
CHAPTER XII.
BY FIorenc. Hodsvnron

L
It was springtime at Easthill-on-
a6ea. and things were settling down
again. Mrs. Dynevor, with her son
and daughter, still lived at the Up
bands, but with no fear now OF the
smortgage foreclosing. 1t was gener-
ally believed-and specially so by Har-
oId-that the interest was paid to the
young mistress of the Manor; really
lt went into the local bank account Of
kitty Dynevor," for Lillian knew
that Alick Craven's wooing would soon
end successfully, and wanted Kitty tc
have a nice little sum in hand for her
31puseau.
Woodlands was a school no longer
Mrs Tanner lived at the Manor as
tchaperon to Miss Dynevor; and LII
Han, thoughtful in all things. had in
sisted on purchasing an annuity OF two
' hundred year for her friend, so that
.as she put it, if she did not live long
Mrs. Tanner need not open a school
again.
Mrs. Dynevor and Kitty were often
at the Manor, and loved Lillian even
Setter than they had loved Miss Len
.don; but Harold never went there
and when he met his cousin at Up
hands treated her with cold reserve
lkhat almost broke her heart.
>''Your brother was kinder to me
when was a poor little governess,
she said to Kitty. And that damsel
then on the eve of her wedding, lee
tured Harold pretty sharply on his
manner to her favorite.
~'You don't understand" he said
r'eoldly. LILLIAN is rich, we are poor,
and that makes a gulf between us"
{ '':-Bnt it need not" Kitty persisted.
Lillian and the twins were her
bridesmaids when the June day came
that made her Mrs. Alick Craven;
and somehow, when the happy pair
had driven off, Harold found himself
alone in the garden with the chief
bridesmaid.
TT went of very we'll" he remarked,
Fl never saw Kitty look better"
mo. I think they will be very
happy" she said quietly.
II suppose yours will be the next
wedding in the family, Lillian? 1t is
hlxh time you chose prince consort
tor the Manor"
only that I am not going to do
Anything of the sort" she answered.
~E thought I heard Mrs. Tanner say
something about changes at the Ma
nor"
Eyes: but they need not mean mat
simony" She hesitated. you were
go kind to me in the old days, when
first came to Easthill, that l would
,Ake to tell you my plans. l am quite
sure I am not fit to be great lady,
and I should like to feel that my life
was OF use to some one, so am going
10 London to be trained as hospital
curse"
-Lillian!"
"And as my life will be spent among
sick folk, you see, shall never want
the Manor; and-you are the last OF
the Dynevors-you would make me
very happy, Harold, if you would &c
back to the old home which was to
alave been yours, which would have
been yours if had never been born. y
LILLIAN, you know it is impossible!
*'I know you have Stunned the Ma
nor lately; but if it was your own?
az have only Stunned it because
something it contained was growing
all TOO dear to me. Lillian, did you
ever guess my secret-that l loved you
with all my heart, and but for the
gulf between our fortunes l should
have asked you to be my wife,
And 1 thought you hated me be-
cause I was my mothers daughter
Il love you dearly; l have loved
you ever since the old days, when
thought you were only penniless lit
lie teacher"
81 wish I had been" she answered
wistfully. 81 don't think money has
brought me much happiness. Blu
Harold, when I go to the hospital 20,
must take the Manor; the dear OLE
place can't be left desolate."
And then Harold Dynevor's low
conquered his pride. He took Lillian
in his arms, and whispered that b
would only take the gift with tn
Giver.
And now Dynevor Manor is a happ,
home, and children who bear the OLE
name make merry in the nursery Mrs
Craven had been afraid to use.
The End.