The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-06-29
CHAPTER xvI.-{Continued.)

~, and the two girls say good night to
Mrs. Cholmondely; and Maud embraces
her brother once more, and Maggie's
hand finds its way into the Captains
once again.
They are left alone after this-mother
and son; and then he comes TO her, in
that old loving, boyish fashion, that is
the delight and joy of her life. Then
with an eager expression she has never
seen before lighting up every feature, he
says, WHO is she, mother? Surely, !
know her face-have known it for years.
Tell me all ebout her?"
A startled look comes over Mrs Chol-
mondely's features, as she gazes at her
SON; and. for the first time. there is q
great, dull fear and pain at her heart.
Il have nothing to tell, dear" she
replies, slowly, at last. There is moth
ing extraordinary in her history-at
least, that is-But you can never have
seen her before; faces are so much alike;
1t is all fancy, dear, depend upon it."
Il never saw such another FACET says
the Captain, dreamily. And then they
separate, and the mother is alone.
Have l done rightY' she murmurs,
in a startled, hushed whisper. "Oh,
JOcelyn, Jocelyn! who can tell where my
love for you may lead met"
And a mothers prayer and many tears
usher in the solemn Christmas morning
in this noble mansion, where GIBBS and
flows the tide Of humanity. as in the
smallest cottage Of dreariest mud howell
in the world!
CHAPTER XVII.
There is no Disgusting the fact this
Christmas day Ernest was supremely,
~joyously happy. He had lost all his sur
prise and b~ashfulness, and had found
something to say to Maggie that had
taken the form of very fervent thanks
for her presence of mind and bravery on
a memorable occasion now past and
gone. And she disclaimed all merit so
earnestly, and with such innocence, that
he felt she really meant what she said;
and so he was inexpressibly charmed.
They had all been to church in the
morning-the Colonel and Mrs. Chol-
mondely, Archie and Maud, and-and-
there was no help for 1t, thought the
careful, fond mother-Ernest and Mag
gle. 1t had happened to be a fine, sun
ny day. Ernest and his companion
were much looked after. He thought it
very strange at first, in a place SO little
like a country town, that q new face
should attract such extraordinary atten-
ton. People had a strange knack of
looking back after them, too, that pres
emily began to be more fattering than
pleasant: and as they entered the vesti-
bule Of the church. there was a general
murmur of admiration, and some little
crowding to look at them. to Ernest's
great establishment and indignation.
Just the same coming out Of church,
and along the sunny lawns for a little
blow before going to luncheon-every
one seemed resolved to have a look at
them. The Captain remarks upon it
when they reach home, and has not much
admiration for the good taste and man
ners of the inhabitants.
The pleasant luncheon hour passes,
and the Colonel and Archie go to look up
some old friends, pressing Ernest TO go
with them; but he prefers staying at
home and listening to the music Of Mag
gie's voice, for this woman has taken
him captive, and he is well content to
lounge in the drawing room, saying but
little, but being petted and made much
of by his sister and mother.
At length it is time to dress for dim
ner. and he is in his room, half asleep
and half awake, sitting dreaming before
the FIRE. The spell already is on him
heavily, and he is yielding to it, and
makes no effort to battle against the
strain.
why should hep he t~hinks-this
fair-haired ~fatalist. He has to meet his
fate somehow, at some time of his life;
why not here and now2
1t is a very joyful, quiet dinner, this
Christmas night. An angel of peace had
seemed to have spread his wings over
the house, and the ripping, happy con-
yersation flowed on, and they ate and
drank of the best, and gave no thought
TO the future. or regret to the past.
By and by the gentlemen leave the
dining room rather earlier than usual,
perhaps, and then there is a happy fam
ily party; so quiet, and soft, and low is
the endowment that every now and again
they can hear the "Mistletoe Bough"
roared out, and takeu up by a male and
female chorus in the lower regions; for
the servants nave their party as well as
their kind and thoughtful mistress.
The night draws or, and by and by
comes the wishing each other the old
wish OF "a merry Christmas and happy
New Year" and Good nights" and the
Colonel and Archie take their departure.
Ernest does not go upstairs with his
mother tonight, but says he shall have
a little stroll. So she kisses him as
usual, and is fain to tell him to wrap
up if he goes out, and presently . kiss
for Maud and Maggie, and Mrs. Chol-
mondely ~retires.
For a moment the mad thought Of
kissing Maggie, too, sets his heart pal
pitating and his whole frame trembling;
but he is fortunately wise in time, so he
only takes her hand, that he has already
got to know so well, and kisses it more
than once, and with rather trembling