Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-12-24

his handsome, boyish lace Rushing
with mingled anger and ramorse. *
only Said"
But a wild. joyful cry from Baby
interrupted him.
"Oh. papa, papa! IT'S papa, Gym
thia-quick, see! Coming up the v e.
nue. with Mr.. Cyril"
And with n final, exultant cry, she
rushed ACROSS the room. flung the door
wide and darted through.
She reappeared In a moment, cling
ing to her father, a big. tall. kindly
featured man. fur-ciad as a Russian.
He was an old friend Of my lady's,
Eustace Earle. and she rose to greet
him warmly, and introduced him to
others.
"Row do you think we have treated
your treasure during the few months
which she has been In our possession"
she inquired lightly.
"MagniHcentiyl" he answered,
warmly. looking lovingly down on the
bright, miGnonne face upturned to his.
"But," with a sudden change or tone.
'let me tell you how sincere and heart
felt is my grief for your ~irreparable
loss. | knew him so well. I loved him
SO we'll, that, believe me. my words
are those of no conventional condo
ience."
II am sure OF It." she answered sim
ply; but the white heat OF intense pain
Quivered over her fne old face.
Just hen Cyril Darlington came
into the room. and conversation be-
came general.
In a little while Miss Earle and her
father went away together; and he be-
gan distributing from the pockets OF
his great coat which he still wore the
commissions with which he had been
burdened in London.
Miss Atherton.r he said, suddenly
coming up to the quiet figure by the
fire, q small. square package In his
hand. 'let mckinley let me play at
being Santa Clause for once"
And he laid that which he held In
her lap.
He went out into the hall q moment,
and cane back with a large, square
cardboard box. He went straight up
to where Cynthia sat, grave and dark
browed.
Miss Lennox," he said. in quite n
low yoice-a very humble voice, too
you would gye me no order to exc
cute In London; end | thought, at this
gracious season. ron would be gener-
GUS enough TO accept-these."
He had torn of the cover while he
WIS speaking, and now drew from
their receptacle and laid on her lap,
q great cluster OF ~roses-roses such
as the dollhouse OF B~lackcastle had
never produced at this time OF the year
huge, crimson, fragrant.
"0h, how beautiful she said, invol-
unfairly, and laid one Sparkling hand
ln~Tountarily on their green stalks.
Al quick fash Of pleasure lit his eyes.
She was ~passionately fond of flow
ers, and these were In some way like
her-to him they had been suggestive
of her-intense. delicate, tropical
hued.
Her long. mellow eyes were quite
moist when she looked up at him.
Thank you'll" she said, simply.
Bur he felt superbiy repaid.
"what have you there. Miss Ather-
tom" my lady questioned.
The girl held UP by way OF reply e
little volume with covers OF ivory, all
lettered in azure mad gold.
How good you were." she whis-
pered gratefully, as Cyril passed her,
ito think. of me-"
"Ah, ~Tennysonls said my lady, ex-
aiming It with a smile OF pleased sur
prise. MY fayorite."
She opened It at a certain page. and
holding II so. passed 1t back TO the girl.
II want you to read that for me.
Walt; It Is too dark. Cyril, ring for
lights"
In a few moments the curtains were
drawn, the Ere coaxed to . ruddier
radiance. the whole vast room softly
brilliant.
They ail drew their chairs a little
nearer to iisten--aIl except Cynthia
Lenrox. She aat quite still, touching
now and then, with slim. caressing I'm
gers. the rich, velvety petals OF the
glowing flowers In her lap.
Miss Anterior began to read the
poem indicated. Her sweet, slightly
plaintiye young voice endued with its
tender pathos that most eAQdlsite and
pathetic fragment OF the ~laureate's;
but 1t quivered a little q she read the
third verse:
And as the stately ships 20 ON
no their haven under the hill.
But. oh. for the touch or a vanished hand.
And the sound OF a voice that is stlli"
NY lady dropped her face In her
hands with a sharp sob. :
sEreak. break, break
At the foot OF thy orags. oh, seat
Put the tender grace OF a day that II
dead
wni never cnnna n acL fa v..