The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-06-22
CHAPTER XIy.-fContinued.,

good doctor could reach the house; never
theiess, the Colonel had insisted upon bis
seeing her.
well, doctor. what is it? Nothing
serious. | hope?"
Nothing very serious, sir; a severe
wrench of the arms; a great deal of ex-
element; a little everlasting of the
strength, and a consequent nervous pros
trntion. ! think we may be certain Of
her perfect restoration to health In q
few days"
Doctor, yol put 1t lucidly".' the Colo
mel said, smilingiy. And then the medi-
cal man had departed in great glee, de-
lighted with the tale he should be able
to tell his best patients tomorrow rela-
tive to the incident.
And so the Colonel and his nephew
were left together.
Il may as well say what l think as
not he said. Il should like to know
what all this means, Archie. l can't
quite see my way clear. and you are the
only one who can help me. Come, let's
have n straightforward story"
The young mans eyes fill with a dusky
fire. aud he raises his head very haught-
lily. He is to the full ms proud and SEN
sitiye as his uncle. So he replies, in
rather a constrained voice, well, uncle,
for any questions you may wish to ask
me. or any information / can give you
relative to Maud's very unfortunate adj
venture. ! shall be very happy to place
myself at your service"
THAT is just What | want to know"
the Colonel replied. grufiy. How came
she riding such a brute as that, and
how came you on the other sideY'
And so Archie had given a full ac-
Cont of it all. The old gentleman had
a very kind heart, and absolved his
nephew fully at the last; not without Civ
ing him a solemn injunction to take great
care in the future that Miss Gayler did
come between him and Maud.
II feel quite as strongly as you do,
uncle, replies Archie, ..about women
who ape men as Miss Gayler does; and
dislike them quite rs much"
The old Colonel is Modified at this,
and says gently. That's my w dear
boy. and spoken like a man."
Mrs. Cholmondely and her daughter,
In the chamber of the invalid, had for
gotten their guests. had remembered
nothing but the fact that this brave
young woman lay there stricken with
weariness. She was sleeping at last, so
soundly that Maud's gentle kisses failed
to stir her; and Mrs. Cholmondely had
runs for Annette, and had gone down
with Maud to the drawing room.
Il must write and tell Ernest all
about It. says Mrs. Cholmondely. "and
how nobly Maggie behaved, and how
glad | shall be when he can come down
- go. o,.l tI,,,J. L.. g. L:~-e - |
fancy how delighted he will be, and how
he will bless her in his heart"
And give him this message from me-
interposes the Colonel: THAT l count
upon seeing him at Christmas, and will
accept no excuse for his not coming"
And Archie says nothing, but sits
with his eyes cast down, and a great
spasm of pain OF his countenance, for
which lie cannot account.
They are gone at last, and then the
two ladies' 20 upstairs to Maggie's room
T,rc. She Is still sleeping soundly.
And presently d kiss aad whispered
Good night" FROM Maud to the uncon-
scinus s'ee-cr c-l an affectionate EN-
lr e 10 he snlother, and Mrs. Cholmon-
dclv Is lett alone with the sleeping girl. |,
"t)nly n little tired-my pretty one, 7
she niurmurs, yearningly-"only a little
tired Sleep. sleep, my darling, and all
good angels guard your
She stoops over her presently; and.
ever so gently and quietly, takes a mass
the silken hair in her hand, and, with
a small pair Of scissors, cuts off o little
lock. and puts it to her lips. Good
night. my pet..' she whispers presently.
md cafalpe t,a ~ hraatb - A.. .l---.-l
on her cheek.
Maggie is dreaming, and speaking soft
~; and Mrs. Cholmondely listens Gag
erly, as she hears her say, Papa, dear
papa! Maggie loves dear papa;' and
a tear forces itself through the closed
and Mrs. Cholmondely stays no
Annette comes in now, and the lady
excuses her attendance upon herself to-
and leaves her to watch by the
OF Maggie.
She goes TO her own room p~rcsently,I
and takes the miniature from the cabi-
net; and. touching a spring, deposits the
hair with some more In a little
receptacle at the back of the picture. She
at II lovingly for d moment, and
then says gently. "Only a little tired,
Jocelyn-only q little tired" and then.
a startled look, she scans it more
Il am very foolish she ADDS.
As she prts il back into the cabinet; sbut
.nethought. surely, he smiled upon me as
the old days. A brave darlingw she
whispers; and | love her, oh, so dearly.
her life for my daughter. and
hen only a little tired!"
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CHAPTER XIV.
Time rrept on, and the excitement in