The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1906-07-04
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
On the evening of the Admirals' Clut
dinner, early in December, Helen had
been in the habit of dining at the Vim.
ters'. Although Agnes Winter was now
alone, she seemed ~singularly anxious to
keep up this custom, and Helen acceded
to her proposal readily enough. Oswin
was easily disposed of. A sailor return
ing to London after an absence of some
years can usually employ his evenings
satisfactorily.
1t happened that Miss Winter was alb
sent from town during the three JAYS pre-
cedinG the anniversary, and Helen was,
therefore, left in ignorance as to the ma
lure OF the entertainment to which she
was invited. AS she drove through the
fog and gloom of December streets the
thought came to her, however, that had
there been other guests her brother Os-
win would, in the ordinary course of
events, have been invited. This thought
generated others, and before the little
brougham drew up smoothly, the young
girl was yerging upon a conviction that
the course of events had diverged already
from the commonplace. She was not.
therefore, surprised to see Miss Winter
standing at the head Of the brightly light
ed, softly carpeted stairs to greet her. Be-
fore she spoke Helen had guessed that
they were TO pass the evening alone TO-
gether, and as she mounted the stairs she
did her best to quell an indefinite feeling
of discomfort.
The drawing room looked intensely
cow fHun arr,nlnsn, #a -
small and low, were drawn forward to
the fire, and between them a small table,
promising coffee. In response to a little
gesture of the hand, Helen took posses
sion OF one of the chairs. Miss Winter
took up an evening newspaper, of which
the careful cutting betrayed no tamper-
ing on the part of a literary cook, and
unfolded it.
4 want" she said, ito see who is
acting in that new piece at the Epic.
l had a note from Oswin to-day, propos-
ing to make up a party for next Wednes-
Yes; he spoke to me about it. l
like to CO.
Miss Winter continued to unfold the
paper with a considerable hustle. She
not looking at it, but at Helen, who
seemed interested in the texture of an alb
little lace handkerchief.
who's going?"
The girl raised her head and frowned
as if making a mental effort.
Let me see-papa, Oswin, you, my
self, and-and-oh, yes. Mr.. Tyars."
Miss Winter was not an impulsive
woman. There was a graceful finish and
sense of leisure about her movements, but
before Helen could move, her friend was
S~neeling on the white fur hearth rug,
irawing her toward her, forcing her to
lace the light.
Helen, let me see your face"
1t was almost a command. and the girl
'beyed, slowly turning. Her eyes were
iull, as if with physical agony. Miss
Winter r~elinquished the warm, soft fin.
sers. She half turned. and sat with her
lands clasped in her lap, gazing into the
ire.
when" she asked. when was it?
long ago at Oxford, or only Just Iately?.
i suppose Helen answered, quietly,
that 1t was long ago at Oxford; but
,ut / think | did not know it."
This daughter of a sailor race was not
siven to tears, but now her lashes were
listening softly. 1t is not the bitterest
ear that falls.
My poor, poor Helen" murmured
Miss Winter, stroking her friends hand
And he-Claud Tyars-he has
aid nothing?'l
"Gf course not"
Miss Winters eyes fell on the news
lying pen at her feet. Mechan-
cally she read the heading of a long
on the "New Arctic Expedition"
heart sank within her.
"But, Helen" she whispered, do you
hink he"
Hush, DEAR" interrupted the girl.
Don't ask me that"
Helen, will you tell me one thing?"
The girl moved uneasily, keeping her
yes averted.
Il think not" she answered, you can
it, but l do not think ! will answer
G
Long ago." murmured the low voice
i the elder woman, long ago at Oxford
I'D YOU think-Helen, forgive my asking
did you think that he loved your
There was a long silence, broken only
y shc e~s:c;ens little clock upon the
nantsl piece, and the heated creak Of the