The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-08-03
CHAPTER XIV.

h0ndal had tred 10 mink II al over, ana
81 III out its meaning In his own mind,
and had utterly failed.
He walked up and down the terrace,
the last thing at night, trying to solve the
enigma Of Mays strange behavior. And
this morning he had been on to the riddle
again, but he had to give it up as a prob
lem of wonan's inconsistency, that he
could not solve. But now for the inter-
view with his uncle in the library.
We'll, lad, what is itT' asked Mr..
Royston. Nothing wrong. / HOPPER
THAT liz as you may think, sir; I am
In your hands. The fact is, uncle, with
out any beating about the bush, | am IN
love, and want your permission to get
married."
Stay, stay, not SO fast, Randall! First
Of all, who is the lady?'
Randall loked firmly at his uncle, as he
replied, "A great f~avorite of yours, I'M
cle-Miss Duncombe."
What! Miss Duncombe! Why, what
do you know of Miss Duncombe, sir,
and how dare you propose such a thing
TO meT'
II have known her for a year, sir, and
/ love her so dearly that il / do not wed
her, l shall never marry at all. As to
who she is, I neither know nor care, but
she is a lady, a worthy bride, in my
opinion, for a king; and as TO her family
and connections, | neither know nor care
to know anything about them"
For a moment the bold reply took
away the uncle's breath, and he sat star
Ing stupidity at his nephew; then he said
How dare you talk such sentiments to
me, sirf shall certainly refuse my con-
sent. / thought you were about to pro-
pose for May. What is to become of
her. sir-answer me that"
well, sir" said Randall, coolly, and
rather ~haughtily, IL suppose my cousin
Will marry some day, when she falls In
love as | have done, and you are asked
to give her to the nan OF her choice
; sou mean to say. Randall, that
you aud May haven't been counting for
years.
Certainly not; we have never lone a
bit OF counting; we nave been brother
and sister. and care for each other as
brother and sister might, but nothing
further. | assure you, uncle"
well, WELL" said the old man, after
4 long and thoughtful silence; II will
see May, and after that / will give you
a provisional answer; of course we must,
for our own sakes, write to Mrs. Chol-
mondely and know more about Miss Dun
combe. What put the idea into your
head. Randall" he adds, presently; 'her
beauty. l SUPPOSE"
mo, sir. not altogether; partly you.
You told me you might make her Mrs.
Royston If you were twenty years young
err"
Nephew, you have me there, and I
am not going to deny It; she is a charm,
Ing girl" And here the old man smiled;
and then said, Mind, Randall. / nave not
said yes yet; aud not a word of this to
n single soul"
M.Ccrtainly not, uncle said the youn
man; "and you will give me an answer
tonight. after dinner?"
PERHAPS; don't build on it, replied
his uncle, and SO the interview ended.
There was no need for a formal inter
view viii. May; Mr.. Royston caught a
glimpse OF the blue Grape shawl in the
laurel walk, and strolled over to her.
She was walking up and down quick
iy, though 1t was a sultry afternoon, and
very pale and beautiful she looked,
thought the old man. Mr.. Royston stop
ped her in her rapid walk, and drew the
little hand under his arm, and began to
talk to her. lie was a long time getting
round to the subject, and she did not
help bum one bit; but when he had told
the story of Randai's hopes, then she
was interested and eager.
Dear uncle" she said. III Randall
loves Miss Duncombe, he will never be
happy unless he marries her; and, in
deed-indeed, it will be for his good.
She Is very beautiful, and | do not Won
der at Randall caring for her; she Is SC
bright and fascinating, and SO accom-
plished.'
sand you would like your cousin to
marry her, then, May |" and he looked
straight into her eyes.
Dear uncle she replied, returning
the look bravely, X would have him do
anything that he thinks is for his hap
piness; and he loves her, oh, so dearly!'
So 1t was all settled: and after dinner
Mr.. Royston gave a qualified consent,
and there was a little scene. for Randall
was quite affected by his uncle's kind
ness; and the old man, now that he was
quite sure May was heart-whole and
fancy free. was no little pleased at the
turn things had taken.
So golden hours BEGAN for Maggie.
Mrs. Downing, who had been to pay a
long promised visit to some old friends,
was startled when she came home to
hear all this; but. strange to say, approx
ed Of the match vastly.
Tie has had the pick OF the country"
she said to Mr.. Royston and May. HE
has seen society In Londcn and Vienna;
be has been in che best circles. and he
has chosen Miss puncombe ut last. Well,
1 admire his taste; If l mistake not, she
has good blood In her veins"
Mr.. Royston wrote TO Mrs Cholmon
dely, and her letter In reply was emf