The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-07-27
CHAPTER xxIlI.-tContinusd.,

ana now they are al very Dusy eX-
pecting Randall home, and 1t needs no
magician to read Mays heart, though
Maggie has never given IL a thought. She
reads his letters again md again, 1ushos
and paies when his name is mentioned,
and trombles with delight as she thinks
how soon she shall see her cousin once
more. For she loves him dearly; SO
much SO that she has never limited 1t
even to Maggie.
And so time went on, till one bright
afternoon Maggie and May were just
coming out Of the opening In the brown
woods, laughing and talking mcrrily,
when suddenly May started, turned pale.
and throwing down the portfolio size was
carrying. cried suddenly, as n young man
met them, why, it is Cousin Randall"
Then she had stepped eagerly forward
and given him her hnnd, and he had bent
down for the usual c~ousinly kiss and EN-
brace, and she had turned away to hide
her bright, happy tears.
Maggie was introduced, and the young
maj looked at her with great eyes of adj
miration, and said, softly, Somehow,
Miss Duncombe, | fancy ] have had the
pleasure Of seeing you before some
where" And Maggie shakes her head
softly. and says she thinks not.
"Not at Vienna, certainly" exclaims
May, laughing. And then the gentleman
takes the portfolio, and they oil walk on
to the house.
Maggie steals a look ut this cousin
presently, she knows not why, except
that the soft music of his voice has woke
n slumbering echo in some cavern of her
heart, the existence of which she has
never known till now.
She looks at him furtively, and catches
his glance fixed upon her admiringly, and
the first iutter of the heart she has ever
felt hi her life comes to her now. And
IL ever there was love at first sight, this
young man loved Maggie this golden af-
ternoon.
And this meeting with two hearts,
feeling their existence for the first time,
a third beating with unconfessed love
and passionate eagerness, is the begin
ming OF the end.
lie is a very handsome man, is Ran
dial st. John; handsome in that style of
quiet. keen face, and thoughtful eyes,
and high forehead, and great protective
power, that is SO grateful to the weak
and loving girl, who, as his wife, would
feel safe and secure in his strong love
In every storm through life.
They reach the house presently, and
Mr.. Royston meets them, and shakes
hands with his nephew heartily, and bids
him welcome. Then there is q little
pleasant testing as to his being brought
In by the ladies. And Maggie, only
that her back is TO the light. might be
seen TO have O great access OF color to
her cheeks.
They meet at dinner again, and Ran
dial is very quiet and happy, and tells
them many anecdotes of his foreign life.
Mrs. Downing rises presently, and the
gentlemen are left alone.
swell, Randall, how are matters at
Vienna, Ell? You have got your step at
last; see you an ambassador now before
I de-
eff follow diplomacy; but / fancy
] may give it up some day, and settle
down."
settle down, Randall; why, what
freak ia this? Time enough to settle
down when l am dead and gone" And
Mr.. Royston speaks rather angrily, for
Randall is presumptive heir to the es-
tates. and he is fond Of directing his
nephew after his own plans.
well, uncle" says the young man,
softly, II mean, of course, If l married;
and l am getting rather tired Of a bach
elor's life. BY the by" adds Randall,
-swho Is this Miss Duncombe that May
has for a governess? She seems rather
a superior person for the position, does
she notT'
IL don't know about that!" answered
Mr. Royston, rather tartly. "She is one
of the most beautiful and accomplished
girls l have ever seen, and with the mos.
perfect manners OF any one I know, ex-
cept May. Randall, il I was twenty
years younger, / don't say l shouldn't
be fool enough to fall in love with her
myself"
A very eager, startled look passes over
his nephew's face. and he says, But
where does she come from"
"Well, she was living with Mrs. Chol-
mondely's daughter. and very highly she
recommended her. Not that she spoke
too well or her. for / don't know what
we should do without her; but Mrs. Chol-
mondely-so Mrs. Downing tells me-
says that she was everything that could
De desired for the position, and she has
not overstated it."
II remember now, uncle, the family
she lived with. / met Mrs. GrenfelI,
a very sweet woman. Oh, that is where
she comes from, Is ity'
And the diplomatic young gentleman
~rejoices exceedingly, for here is a topic
OF interesting conversation with the dark
beauty; so no more IL said on the subject,
and afterwards they 80 TO the drawing
room.
1t Is 4 very beautiful night, and one
that win not be forgotten by any or
the party for many a hong day to come.
The girls are playing a quiet game OF
chess when the gentlemen come in. and