The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-10-14
Half an hour later as they rose to

Give, this evening at nine. wish to
speak with YOU"
He kissed his mother and bowed to
Cynthia, and went away to dream of
Laurie Isle. And at dinner he looked
across at his vis-a-vis, radiant in rose
pink silk and sparkling diamonds, and
saw-Laurie Isle
And later he lay back in a low chair
IN the drawing room and listened to
Miss Lennoxs rich contralto, singing
sweet Italian song, and all the time
through his soul went ringing
my gentle bashful. Nora Creina!"
When he opened the library door he
found his mother awaiting him-such
a naughty, handsome figure, in her
rich black satin and old point lace.
There was shadow-the faintest
shadow of apprehension-on the stern,
commanding brow.
"Ah, am late! Forgive me! Take
this chair, mother. Well?"
He had flung himself into a great
leathern arm chair and had clasped his
arms above his head.
In after years she remembered with
a fearful pang the face of her son, as
he looked at her then-a face Of honor,
of manliness. of quiet Joy.
"Can you guess why, or about what,
l want to speak to you, Give?
He shook his head brightly.
"On my word, no! | am in densest,
darkest, most lamentable ignorance"
well, it is this: | am growing old;
am aging fast. | want to see a new
mistress at Blackcastle before / die;
| want you to win wife; | want you
to give me daughter"
The great Gothic easement was flung
wide, and through it hey could see
the silver moon, slowly climbing up
the sky.
Give Darlington laughed-a good
laugh to hear, ringing and boyish, de.
spite his thirty odd years.
Whenever you say, mother mine
Be sure have no objection"
The faint cloud on her brow disap-
peared.
why not now?" in swift elation.
"Why not take your bride on we'd
ding trip TO India? Why not now-If
Cynthia would only consent to such
haste?"
Cynthia? What has she to do with
it?"
What has she to do with it," Lady
Darlington repeated, in slow dismay.
"Why, everything. | am sure the wom-
an whom you are about to make your
wife"
Mother one world"
He had risen from his lounging pos
ture, and was facing her. erect.
In her face was something not pleas
ant to see-something which spoke Of
latent will passionate, unbending.
Let me tell you of her." he said, in
his quiet, determined way, which in
variably Commanded audience-"let
me tell you of her whom am going to
make my wife,"
"Then," slowly, 81 am to understand
you have chosen your wife without
reference to me?"
mo-" he answered, with his rare,
sweet smile. Remembering all that
was noblest in my mother, found it
mirrored in one worthy to be her
daughter"
My lady's sharp, white teeth closed
tightly on her under lip.
"Who is she?" she questioned.
what is she?"
"Her name is not in the peerage,"
lie said, that wonderful smile of his
again lighting his face. "She has no
houses, no gold, no lands, but she is
good and beautiful and-she loves me!
Her price is above rubies!"
"But her name in breathless, que
rulous impatience-"her name?"
"She was called after her father.
Her name is Laurence Isle"
Laurence Lisle!"
And the words were wild cry OF
fear and horror. She reeled and stag
gered back, her face grown ashen.
"Mother!"
ii5 spTang forward in alarm; but
with swift, imperious gesture of CON-
mand, she lifted her hand and waved
him back.
mot one step nearer-not one
step!"
He dashed the crisp, dark hair of
his brow in boyish fashion. Something
of the sternness of his own voice rang
in his when he spoke.
what does this mean? What is
there in the name of the woman love
to terrify and dismay you? Tell me!
must know will know!"
"Oh, watt Be patient!" she moan
ed--wait!"
The shaded lamp burned low; but
through the open window the moon
light streamed, river Of silver, and
in it's mellow light they stood there
mother and son-he so tall, so erect,
so naughty, so rigid with self-repres-
sion; she with nerveless hands. loose
swaying In restless misery.
Perhaps he did not know. When he
did, would he not Oh, yes, yes! All
was not lost-it was not too late.
The thin old hands locked them
selves nervously together; wave of
exultation swept over her face. She
lifted her head and looked straight at
her son.
do you know who and what her
father ISL" she asked, slowly.
she Is a scholar and gentleman"
"Aye!" sardonically, "And what