The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-09-14
CHAPTER XII.

"I'm on," said Miss Molloy, as the
hour Of noon drew near next day. I'm
going to call on Mrs. Lisle."
Belle, dear. l wish you wouldn't
treat him So"
II can't help It," Belle answered. II
can't bear the man."
"You needn't show it quite so plain
ly. DEAR"
"And why wouldn't I? He knows
jolly well what my feelings are, and
it's little enough he cares, either. And
there's one thing just drives me mad,
and makes me feel as if could scratch
him. Why do We let the man call ye
'dear'7"
"He has always called me dear He
did it when l was little child. And
I'm not a vain girl, as you know. Belle
but know that he is very. very fond
of me, and am sorry for him."
Faith, then," said Belle, I'm not.
The man has the impertinence to turn
the color of ghost when ye turn up
Unexpectedly. And then he has the
face to pretend that he's suffering
from a physical ailment. The mans
as sound as a roach"
"But surely it isn't a crime to have
fallen in love with me?"
Faith, then," repeated Belle, "it's
not 1t would be criminal not to do so.
Sure all the worlds in love with ye-
men, women and boys. There's me
own brother breaking his heart for We.
If ye'd any pity for him maybe I'd have
some for your Aloysius. Now there he
is at the door. and here ye've kept me
chattering until I've got to insult him
to his face again. Goodbye darlin'.
I'll open the door for him" She
whisked out of the room, and Lillian
heard the CHEEKY impertinence of her
greeting. "The top OF the morning to
ye, Misther Aloysius. I'm keeping me
promise, We notice"
II did not doubt your word, Miss
Molloy," he answered, gravely.
Lillian stepped into the hall to meet
him, and he shook hands with her CON-
posedly. He followed her into the sit
ting room and sat down, balancing his
hat between his hands.
"You are well?" he said, turning his
mournful gaze upon her. "But, as
said last night, there Is no need to
ask. And happy? But there again
there is no need to ask"
"Yes," she answered, flushing slight
ly, II am well, and l am happy. But
you; you, am afraid. are neither.
You look haggard, Aloysius, and as if
you had not slept all night"
Il did not Sleep" he answered, simp-
~. II did not even take the trouble to
go to bed"
But that is wrong" she said.
'Why should you throw your health
away?"
What does 1t matter?" he respond
ed. There Is not soul in the world
whom 1t concerns"
Mistaken" she answered. II have
been back here three days now. You
have lived here eight weeks, they tell
me, and in that time you have won all
hearts. Why, since my return l have
heard nothing but the praises of your
goodness-your generosity. All the
simple folks adore you. You would
have blushed II you could have heard
what Mr.. Lisle was saying Of you in
this room yesterday. ! am glad to
know him, and that you have not held
him at arms length as you hold so
many who would be pleased and proud
to own you as friend. The world Is
full of friendship, Aloysius."
II like Lisle," he said. II am an un-
social being, you know-a stranger to
the gregarious instinct-and In one
way or another things have gone
gloomily with me. and l am afraid I
am slipping from bad to worse. But l
like Lisle, and I think I shall make q
friend Of him"
"You have done that already" she
answered, warmly, 80 far as he Is
concerned. He said things about you
which were delightful to hear. I wish
you would go more into the world,
Aloysius. I know it would need an ef-
fort just at first, but II you would
make it, you would be happier than
you are"
NO." he said. II am too old dog
to learn new tricks. My ways are
lined with cypress. suppose 1t was q
vice of the blood to begin with, but
now l feel It rooted. am out OF tune
with the world. am cankered and
my fellow men hurt me. But all this
is very morbid, and / must not allow
myself to be morbid with you, dear"
Tell me- OF your work." she said:
'your painting. your sculpture. your
music"