Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-10-30
By
WILL N.
HARDEN

Author Of
"d1sJfeefsk''

thousand things to say and. oh, SO
many thanksw
There was something in this impul-
sive greeting that gave Miller q delec-
table thrill all over.
| You were such little thing the
last time 1 saw you," he said almost
tenderly. II declare, you have changed
so, so remarkably"
| She nodded to Penrose, who was ex-
cusing himself, and then she said to
Miller, "Are you going to dance to-
night?"
He explained that he was obliged to
take the train which left in a few
minutes.
He saw her face actually fall with
disappointment. The very genuineness
Of the expression pleased him inexplica-
bly,. "Then l must hurry" she said.
would you mind talking to me little
while?"
Nothing could possibly please me so
much" said he. Suppose we stroll
around"
| She took his arm, and he led her
back to the rotunda overlooking the
Office.
$50 you are Rayburn AIillerg' she
said, looking at him wonderingly. "Do
you know, have pictured you in my
mind many times since mother wrote
me all about how you rescued US from
ruin. Oh, Mr.. Miller, could not in q
thousand years tell you how my heart
filled with gratitude to you. My moth
er goes into the smallest details In her
letters, and she described your every
word and action during that transac-
ton in your Office. could tell just
where her eyes filled and her throat
choked up by her quivering handwrit-
ing. declare, looked en- you as q
sort of king with unlimited power. II
I were man, I'd rather use my brain
to help suffering people than to be
! made president of the United States
and be mere figurehead. You must
not think am spoiled by oil this gilt
ter and parade down here. The truth
is, heartily despise it. wanted to
be at home SO bad when got that let
ter that cried myself to Sleep"
"You must not forget that your BROTH
er conceived the plan," Miller protest
ed, land that only
"Oh, yes, know Alan thought Of 1t"
she interrupted, 'but without your ex-
perience and firmness it would have re-
manned in his dear old brain till the
Lord knows when. The idea of their
being in debt was slowly killing my
father and mother, and you came to
their relief just when they were I'M
able to bear it any longer. I'm SO glad
you thought of borrowing that money"
4 Just then young man half head
shorter than Adele came up hurriedly.
ooh, here you areI he exclaimed in a
gasp of relief. "I've been looking for
you everywhere This Is mine, you
know-the grand march. They are oil
ready"
Adele smiled pleasantly. 81 hope
you'll excuse me from it, Mr.. Tedcas-
tle," she said. "I've just met a friend
from home. l want to talk with him,
and
But, Miss Bishop, r.
81 asked you to please excuse me,
Mr.. Tedcastle." Miller saw her face
harden as IL from the sneer of con.
tempt that passed over it. II hope II
will not be necessary for me to explain
my reasons in detail until have lit
tie more time at my disposal"
"Oh, certainly not. Miss Bishop
said the young man, red with anger,
as he bowed himself away.
4 whats society coming TOT" Adele
asked Miller. with a nervous little
laugh. docs lady have to get down
on her knees and beg men-little jump.
lngjacks, like that one-to excuse her,
and to pet them into good humor
when she has good reason to change
her mind about an engagement? That's
q sort Of slavery don't intend to en-.
ter"
you served him right" said Miller
who had himself resented the young
mans childish impetuosity and felt
Ike Shaping him for his impertinence
Adele shrugged her fine shoulders
H.et's not waste any more time talk.
flg about him." she said. II was going
i to tell you how happy you made them
all. When read mothers description
of their return home that night-how
she went round looking at each object
and touching 1t that she might realize
1t was hers again, and how father sat
up till past midnight talking incessant.
~ about it. and all the droll things I'm.
Gle Abner said-I cried and laughed by
turns. longed to see you, to tell you
how felt about what you did, and yet
now that I'm with you, all say seems
utterly weak and-inadequate."
at seems wonderfully nice to me-"
Miller declared. II don't deserve any
thing, and yet-well, like to hear you
talk" He laughed. whether de
serve it or not, / could listen to you
for a week on stretch"
In truth Rayburn Miller had never
in all his varied social career become
SO suddenly and startlingly interested
in any woman. 1t all seemed like a
dream, and most delicious one-the
gay assemblage, the intermittent
strains of the music, the touch Of the
stately creature on his arm. the per.
fume Of her flowers, her hair, her eyes
He suddenly felt fearful of the passage
Of time, the leaving of his train, the
approach Of some one to claim her at.
tention. He could not explain the spell
she had thrown on him. Was it be.
cause she was his friends sister and Sc
astoundingly pretty. frank and sensi
bic, or could it be that
| His train of thought was broken by