The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1906-05-30
CHAPTER vIII.-(Continued.)

dred and sixty"
-Four" suggested Tyars in such
manner that 1t was in reality no sugges-
zion at all.
YES two hundred and sixty-four.
There was an empty seat on my right
hand"
And an old gentleman occupied that
ON your left"
my father" she explained, simply;
but In the tone of her pleasant voice
xhere was something which made Tyars
fook gravely at her with a very slight
bow as If in apology. Oswin Grace
glanced at his sister with raised eyebrows,
and she nodded almost imperceptibly. He
had not heard of old Mr.. Winters death.
In less skilled hands this incident
might have led to an awkward silence
but Agnes Winter had not spent ten
years of her life in whirl of society for
nothing She knew that ones own feel
Tngs are of a strictly individual value
''You," she continued, took the va
cant seat"
There was something very like a ques-
zion in her glance. Oswin Grace did not
Fook pleased, and his eyes turned from
one face to the other searchingly. Then
she seemed suddenly to have received an
answer to her query, for she turned to
Helen and launched into narration gayly.
II will tell YOU" she said, why these
details are engraven so indelibly upon
arch a poor substance as my memory.
III was rather grand night; royalty
was present, and the theater was almost
Eull. In front of me were two men who
Nd not appear to be taking an absorbing
In tha r1la for Ua W
Eng something which took to be map
upon his program"
1T was a map" confessed Tyars, light
Ky.
While he whispered earnestly at in
tervals to his companion. l came to the
conclusion that he was trying to persuade
him to go and look for Livingstone, which
suggestion was not we'll received. at last
ne turned round. I thought he was ad-
nairing, or at least noticing, the new
diamond star in my hair, but subsequent
events proved that he was looking over
my head. / was disappointed she added
aside to Tyars.
IL both noticed and admired" he ex-
claimed in self-defense. There were
Ewo diamond stars, one much larger than
Ehe other.
All except Oswin laughed at this feat
off memory.
SWELL" continued Miss Winter, 'at
the first interval this irreproachable
young man left his seat, came round,
rnrned back the chair next to me, and
sshook-hands with the man in the pit!'
The pith of the story lay in its nara
zion, which was perfect. The lady knew
her audience as an able actor knows
his house. BY some subtle trick of voice
the incident was made to rebound to
Tyars credit, while its tone was distinct
Ey against him. The easy, CHEEKY, honest |
Mumor of voice and expression was ire
xistible. Even tae Admiral laughed-as
much as he ever laughed at a joke not re-
lated by himself.
''Iie was" explained Tyars in his I'M
satisfactory way, "a friend of mine."
At this moment the door was opened |
by Salter, who announced that dinner
was ready. AS they were moving toward |
che door Oswin suddenly stopped.
where Is Muggins?" he asked.
"On the mat" replied Tyars. Gle |
rwas rather shy, and preferred waiting |
for a special invitation. He Is not quite
at home on carpets yet"
@I have heard about Muggins," said |
Helen TO Tyars as they went downstairs
together, land am quite anxious to make |
shis acquaintance"
so Muggins was introduced to his new
friends, standing gravely on the dining |
room hearthrug with his sturdy legs set |
well apart, his stump of tail jerking |
mervously at times, and his pink-rimmed |
eyes appraised appealingly to. his masters
kace. He was endeavoring to the best of |
mis- ability to understand who all these
Mvell-dressed people were, and why he was
&orced into such sudden prominence.
Moreover, he was DESTROYS Of acquitting |
himself well; and that smell of oxtail |
soup was somewhat distracting to sea-
Carer.
(, HE formed the subject of conversation
vtuhile this same soup was being discuss
ID, and Tyars was almost enthusiastic
@n the subject, somewhet to the amuse-
znent of Miss Agnes Winter, who was not
n great lover Of dogs.
The dinner passed OF very pleasantly,
and many subjects were discussed with
wreafer or less edifcation. Miss Winter
suDemed to take the lead, In virtue of her
uHnidrity over the young hostess, touch
Ing upon many things with her light and
airy precision, her gay philosophy, her
gentle irony.
Admiral Grace was the only person who
nucceeded In getting piece of personal i
Attenuation from Tyara and this BY the
sbluntest direct question,
IL oncs,r said the old gentleman. ~was
IN = committee with west country baro
~ Of your Nance Sir Wilbert Tyars I
--is he any relation Of yours7~
- A.
Seient interest to prove his utter indifter-
snce- ~Yes; he is my uncle.7
There was short pause some further i