The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-11-26
CHAPTER XVI.
A Letter.


What q beautiful day!"
Eyes, the lake will be In splendid
condition later"
81 wonder how our mysterious beauty
is this morning?"
And so they ratified on, In CHEEKY,
social fashion, a dozen or more of the
guests of Blackcastle gathered togeth-
er in the cosy, oak-paneled breakfast
room.
A rarely comfortable apartment 1t
looked, This crisp November morning,
with It's warm, rich carpet. its chairs
Of carven mahogany, its few choice
game and fruit pieces which draped
the walls.
A big, bright fire burned in the wide
crate, and it's CHEEKY light sparkled
upo nthe exquisitely appointed break
fast table. with it's snow-white damask,
it's delicate china, its glittering glass,
it's crested silver.
And II glinted, too, upon the charm
ing living picture which the old room
framed--upon the languid, graceful
group Of courtly, cultured men and
women who clustered round In gra-
cious, social greeting.
"Such a peculiarly lovely face-did
you notice it?" Miss Dent uestioned,
with her air Of serious sentiment l
dreamed of her last night-poor child!
All, here is Baby!"
The young lady referred TO came
rushing down the stairs like small
cyclone. A snatch of song, swish Of
feminine draperies, bang Of the door,
and beholdi--Miss Earle.
Good morning. Lady Darlington!
Morning, every one! Am late Gra-
cious me! Why did you wait? Where
is Cynthia?"
"Here!" laughed Miss Lennox.
She came slowly into the room. a
queenly, impressive figure in her
white, fur-trimmed neglige. The rich,
dark color was truant from her cheek.
Even the full. proud lips had lost much
of their deep crimson. There were
faint shadows, which spoke OF sleep
lessness, under the brown, brilliant
eyes.
Now that my school is all assem-
bled," grayely announced Miss Earle,
I'VE will proceed without further pre-
! face to define In German, French,
Spanish, Norwegian and old English.
the veTb-to eatl"
"Tbe definition Is precisely the same
in modern English" Freddie Lynn
laughed.
They drew their chairs closer
around the table and talked, till
through the room ragged a soft tempest
of speech, and Jest, and laughter.
Without, the world lay clad In festal
garb, ROBBED in ermine, glittering with
jewels, crowned with golden crown.
"such beautiful day." said Vera
Cassard.
"Yes. by far too beautiful 10 last,
replied young MIR. Sedley, with a
mournfGl emphasis. TIT is very
dlsagreeable TO think that we shall
soon--aw--be condemned to rain, ard
wind. and--general unpleasantness-
aw-"
"Yes--it--is-awl" chimed in Baby
with face of most serene and guile
less innocence.
My lady glanced round the table in
nervous embarrassment.
A slow, repressed smile was visible
on every face. What trial that girl
was, TO be sure.
ut is beautiful, and for England
most exceptional weather" she hast
ened to say, taking, as 1t were, q
plunge into the conversational river
III can recall no such autumn since
my marriage, thirty-four years ago
That is, no November In which we
could boast skating, sleighing, and
three days and nights of snow and
frost"
The Honorable Reginald Sedly IA
vored the hostess with a grateful
smile.
Let me see." said Baby. lifting five
rosy fingers as an aid TO numerical
calculation. you were married thirty,
four years ago. How old Is your son al
PRESENT."
II Cynthia Lennox looked quickly M
in nervous dismay. But my iady's foe
old face was absolutely unmoved
"Thirty-one." she answered. calmly