The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-06-01
M a G G i e 5 H e a r t
cHAPTER VII.

all ablnze with light, and radiant with
warmth and color, this autumn evening.
Mrs. Cholmondcly sits at the table, with
every feature lighted up with JOY and
happiness: and opposite to her sits the
pride OF her heart. her only son, Ernest.
They say but little, while the silent
and attentive servant noiseiessly removes
plates and dishes; but presently the cloth
is drawn, and then they are left to them
selves, and she helps him In the old,
fond fashion he remembers 80 well, in
those holiday times when he was a
schoolboy at Elton.
He cannot but be affected by the deep
love of his fond mother, and he looks
at her happy face, radiant with solicit
Gus affection, and is very content. He
remembers his father but very dimly,
but from early youth he has loved and
admired his beautiful mother.
He is splendidly handsome man, this
mothers boy. He has his mothers fair
face, and exquisite Grecian features
deep gray eyes, short curly hair, well
suited to his Apollo-like head, and the
frame of a Hercules.
He is the favorite Of his regiment and
the idol OF his men. He is the most
genial. good-tempered fellow alive; a
capital shot can ride across country as
straight as the crow flies, and is an ac-
compIished athlete.
And how Is Maud?" he asks, pres
entity land how is she getting on?"
'She is as well as she can be, dear;
and think, as happy. Brighton agrees
with her wonderfully. Has she not writ
ten to you latelyT"
'Oh, yes; had letter from her last
week. | always read dear little Maudies
letters-that is, some Of. them. When
they are crossed, skip all the crossings.
1t is hard enough to read what is actual
ly written in the open, without taking
the hedges"
MY dear boy" says Mrs. Cholmon,
dely, laughing, what language to use to
a LADY, Whatever do you mean?'
"That like your letters best, my dear
mother. They are written plainly, and
/ can see you in every line-straight, and
honest, and open; no crossing to puzzle a
fellow; as pure and clear as your own
book Of life." And the young soldier
throws up his head inNpluntarily, with
great pride in the gesture.
A gray shade, gradually taking the
light from the patrician face, steals over
the lady; and for brief moment there is
such a dead silence in the room that the
tick Of the ormofu clock on the marble
mantelpiece is almost fascinating in its
monotonous distinctness.
She rallies presently, though there is
still something n little forced in her man
ner, and says, smiling, well, dear, l
must tell Maud not to cross her letters
when she is writing to you, and then
you will read hers, as you read mine, to
the very last line"
She looks inquiringly at him as she
says this; and he replies, ITO the very
last line. Thank heaven my relatives
letters are worth reading. There never
was blot on our escutcheon; that's a
great deal more than some fellows can
say. l am not proud, generally speak
ing" he continues. smiling affectionately;
shut ! am proud of the honor OF the old
name, and it shall never suffer, il ! can
help it, at my hands,"
A quick, nervous tremor runs through
the proud woman's frame; and then, ris-
ing hastily she crosses over and kisses
the broad, manly forehead ferysntly. :,
My own good boyw she whispers.
Heaven grant that you may be able to
keep your word' And she goes back to
her seat, with the proud expression Of
queen on the perfect features.
"Apropos of Maud, mother-is Gren-
fell at Brighton? think Maud mention
ed something about 1t, but what it was
forget now"
Yes, he is down for the winter His
uncle came to us to dinner last week.
He is very particular about Archer's POI
litical studies Maud and he will be mar
RED at the end OF next season."
HE is a capital fellow says the
Captain, enthusiastically. II am glad
he takes to Maud SO Immensely"
"Oh, yes, he seems very fond Of her,
and nothing can possibly look fairer than
her prospects. By the by. Ernest, IL
have got new companion for her, a
loving young girl, as beautiful and true
as she Is good, and hope Maud viii love
her dearly
We'll, let's hope so,' rejoins the Cap
tain, rising, and suppressing yawn.
"And now, dear mother, must be off.
Heigho! wonder IL / shall ever live
with you altogether, and be bachelor
SON"
NO; hope not" replies his mother.
IL hope you will marry happily, and
have boys and girls OF your own
II fancy not, MOTHER replies her son,
lightly. II have never seen the woman
yet could marry. They say you are
bound to meet her at some period of your
life; and shall meet my fate some day
or other"
pray heaven 1t may be pleasant
one, my SON. says the lady, solennly.
And there is great quivering Of the
red lips, and a moisture in the large, sad
eyes, which does not escape the observa-
lion OF the Captain; and so he kisses her
very affectionately and bids her farewell,
and sends one or two to his sister and