The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-10-26

escort no lady OF Miss Molloy's viva
cious disposition could have made OBJ
lection. 1t had Glanced that for three
Sundays running Billery had suffered
himself gladly to be spirited off to the
rectory. where he rejoiced greatly in
long, scholarly discussions with the
parson, which being renewed from
week to week lured him back to many
a mornings pleasant study Of the old
classic favorites he had SO long ne
elected.
Miss Molloy heard his footstep be-
day afternoon and thrilled at it, but
when he drew up, hat in hand, beside
her she was so surprised that she gave
a pretty little scream, and for q mo-
ment was quite overcome with BASH
full confusion.
"Oh, how ye startled me, Mr.. Bill
cry" she said. casting her eyes shyly
up to his face and shyly down again,
and blushing "Ye came up like
ghost"
did I, indeed?" said Billery. II was
walking at my usual pace, I fancy.
But perhaps you were thinking, Miss
Molloy?"
"'Deed, l was then," said Miss
Belle; "and l don't think you'll easily
be guessing the unworthy object OF me
thoughts"
Il wish," said Billery, with an in.
nocent gallantry, that had only had
the happiness to be present there"
To the end of his days he will never
know what that speech meant to him.
"Oh, Mr.. Billery," said Miss Molloy.
I'm afraid ye're a deceiver, an that
We don't wish anything of the kind. Ye
say it just to father me-"
Indeed l DON'T" said Billery. "Pm
sure one would always like to be pres
ent in the thoughts of ones friends"
Now, how We turn it off, now" Miss
Molloy answered, in coquettish con-
fusion. 81 thought" in tone between
banter and reproach, that ye were
paying me very pretty little person
al compliment"
"Oh, no." said the unconscious Bill
cry; indeed l wasn't. l spoke quite
seriously, believe me-"
If Miss Bellies spirits were momen-
tarily damped by this rejoinder she
gave no sign of it.
Well" she said, "'tis fact now.
Ye were in me mind at the very min
ute that ye stole up so quietly an
startled me-"
Dear me-" said Billery; was I. in.
deed?"
"Ye were, then," answered the lady;
"and l was thinkin-"
She paused and looked up at him
and looked down again.
mo, I'll not tell We what l was
thinkin'.''
"Oh, please do," said Billery
perhaps I'd better not" said Miss
Molloy.
"Oh, say!" protested Billery. "You
had begun to tell me-
well, now," said Miss Molloy.
"since ye press me so, will. l was
thinkin' that it wasn't quite like ye to
desert an old friend for a new one"
Indeed it isn't" said Billery, quite
wounded at this imputation on his 10y
atty.
sWell, maybe it's not" Miss Molloy
answered. But It's three clear weeks
running that we've been taking tea
with the rector, and talkin' your rusty,
musty. fusty, ould Greek an Latin
with him." This was delivered with
a jocular archness, but she dropped
into a tone of gentle resignation, which
Billery really found quite touching.
''Well, I'm gettin' to be an old maid.
and l suppose I'll have to grow Injured
to me situation. But really now, yell
not desert me altogether, Mr.. Billery?
Miss Cole and l are lonely enough,
conscience knows, and we like to see q
gentleman now and then"
May l come up this evening, Miss
| MollCy?' asked Billery.
"Why, We know We may" said Miss
Molloy, land there's nobody in the
world more welcome"
And thus did he, unconscious man,
set seal upon his fate.
Ito Be Continued.)