The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-06-01
shall trellis them about with an illumi
nation of anguish?
cHAPTER TX.


in the little house Of Fulham, and lights
up the face of the child wife. and plays
upon the wan, puckered features and red
eyelids of George Temples maiden aunts.
Everything is packed for departure
and all the home-feeling of the comfort
able little house is gone forever. The
silent meal is over at last, and the maid
en- aunts put the finishing touch to their
preparations for departure.
1t is very near parting now, for Mrs.
Cholmondely is expected every moment;
and presently a great ring at the bell.
and Mrs Cholmondely comes through the
little garden to the house.
She sees how matters stand at q
glance, and hurries Maggie in her prep
arations. and sends out for a cab to take
the old ladies and Susan to the station.
She shakes hands with them presently.
and reminds Maggie cheerfully they have
not much time to spare.
And so. after much sobbing and kiss
ing, and many promises to write, the old
ladies depart. They love this dark-eyed
beauty so dearly that they forget even
Mrs. Cholmondely's presence, and sob
out, "God bless her-God bless her."
even after the cab has started; and Jane
and Susan, to whom she offers her hand
kiss it reverently and chivalrously.
There is a strange thoughtfulness in
Mrs. Cholmondely's face as she takes
her seat by the side of the young wife,
and presently she kisses her, and wills
pers to her that she Is to forget all the
past, and. be very happy in her new
home.
"You need never speak of your past
life," she said softly; ito all the world
but me, even to my son and daughter,
you are Miss Duncombe, with no his
tory, after leaving Burnham. You I'M
derstand, dearT'
II think / do, madam. | am not to
speak of poor George or my married life,
but appear as if l had never been mar
riedT'
"Just so, dear" said Mrs. Cholmon-
dely. softly; and then the cab stopped at
the station, and they were only just in
time for the express.
And this was Maggie's first lesson,
lesson she learnt so easily that in ell
her after life she never for one moment
forgot it.
The germ of the plant was here: ''Put
the past behind your back" "Let the
dead past bury its dead" to some hard,
stern task; to others, light as the spray
that caps the ocean wave.
Maggie's new life opens pleasantly
enough. She is very comfortable in the
frst-class carriage for which Mrs. Chol-
has taken tickets. She admires
the bright sunshine and fair landscape
and already begins to feel very happy.
Mrs. Cholmondely's carriage is wait
ing for them at tho station; and a grand
footman, Of lofty stature and imposing
mien, touches his hat and puts them into
the vehicle
They are at home presently, in the
most palatial and noble square in Brigh-
ton; and Maggie, for a moment, feels
half frightened, so magnificent is the ex-
terror OF the house.
But when they are ascending the
broad, richly carpeted staircase, Mrs.
whispers gently, Welcome
TO my home. dear" and she is somewhat
reassured
Mrs. Cholmondely has had rooms pre-
pared for her, next to her own daugh-
ter's apartments, and takes her to them
herself, and bids her rest, and sends her
daughters maid to her.
Miss Cholmondely comes In presently,
and hearing that her mother has return
ed. rushes up into her boudoir without
waiting to take off her habit.
Maud, dear" says her mother, after
the embraces are over. and the young
lady is little calm, II have trought a
for you, and / hope you will
love her dearly"
"A companion, dear mamma! Love
her dearly! / do not quite understand"
replies Maud, wonderingly.
"A protege of my own, dear, not much
older than yourself; dear, good girl,
that will be as sunshine in the house.
Come with me and will introduce you"
They go to Maggie's room, and the
young wife rises as they enter, and
makes one step forward To meet them.
Mrs. Cholmondeiy leaves her daughters
side for a moment, and, crossing over to
Maggie, says to her as she kisses her,
Maggie, dear, this is my daughter
Maud; Maud, this Is Miss Duncombe, the
lady spoke to you OF just now
Miss Cholmondely puts out her hand,
and as Maggie takes it in her own, a
flush OF eager inquiry passes o7er her
face, and following some uncomfortable
impulse, she kisses Maggie almost pas
sionately.
II am sure we shall like each other,
Miss Duncombe," she says, still with
the same wondering look in her eyes;
and then she follows her mamma back to
her own room. Mamma" she whis-
pers eagerly, rs she enters Mrs. Chol-
mondely's apartment, who is she like
Where have seen her beforef Surely,
surely have seen that face. In picture
Or in the rcality7 have seen that love-
" face heforev'
Her mamma looks at her with startled
eyes.
t.Nonsense, dear!'' she says, huskily;
- Scan only be fancy or q chance re-