Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-12-27
SMILING VILLAIN.

ny N. FINN.

to come back with the cab, and the aus
terity' was waiting upstairs while her
| things dried. You don't deny that, do
youg'
NATURALLY | was polite and very
thankful TO you for having saved my
life. 1t was a matter of common cour-
tesy. / should have been as grateful, l
hope, to a sweep had he rescued me-"
You liked me a bit better than a
sweep" he answered gloomily.
The color rose in Aliens face; she
looked n little confused, and her answer
was not quite so prompt as usual
"All this is beside the question:" she
said, speaking with all the unconcern she
could muster. You saved my life. I
acknowledged my obligation; but that
didn't form sufficient ground for you to
declare--such nonsense !--that-that-"
THAT worshiped the ground you
walked on, that ! had tried every means
in my power to get properly introduced
to you, as that seemed to be the princi-
pal objection In your mind then. But I
knew no one at either Newman or Cir
toni never could stand a clever woman
till | met YOU"
II told YOU the matter had gone far
enough" Aileen interrupted.
He tried to take her hand, but she drew
it back with n jerk, and he exclaimed
with real alarm:
Don't tell me you hate me, Don't
tell me you really don't like me!w
"Of course / don't hate you! Why
should !? know nothing about you.
! can't accept or refuse you-now can 1?
I've only spoken to 0 once before. !
don't want TO get married. No, of course
| don't hate you, but you are so foolish y
speaking with a disjointed jerkiness
very different from her usual 1uency. Il
dare say | might like you il you were
not so ridiculously foolish. Oh, / can't
stand talking all day! BESIDES, we've
not been introduced'-and she turned
awa and went on to the Rectory, with a
nervous little laugh and a lishtness of
heart that was not belitting the attitude
she ought to have assumed.
AT that moment she felt only a girl,
md it was the sight of an envelope adj
dressed to her in the close, cramped writ
ing Of Prof. Lewiston that reminded her
that she was the chief pillar of the cause.
She opened the letter mechanically.
HE is ~good-looking, and he really Is
very much in love. What an absurd
boy" She gazed u~nseeinsly at the card.
This is absolute weakness" she ex-
claimed suddenly. II am behaving like
"A silly, sentimental school girl. l will
write to the professor tonight"
CHAPTER TX.
Moyra was the last of the decorating
party to return home. Tea was nearly at
n ~, a,,I v,bn,, @Io Jlontpr n ,rn rod &T Ytho
younger ones had gone off to finish the
house decorations, taking Angus and Ter
ry with them. Bride and Aileen had re-
fused to join them so soon. The Rector
was in high spirits.
i've been to the big house." he an
%nounced, not noticing Aileen's start.
They are delightful people. The house
is furnished in perfect taste. They might
and Mrs. Fenton. She was the daughter
of the Earl of Beckenwith. but she has
dropped her title. He is u quiet, gentle
manly fellow"
The Rector had evidently enjoyed his
visit and formed very favorable impress
sions pf his new parishioners. The al
in the house and gardens had
evidently taken his fancy, and he talked
about them until he had finished his tea
and risen to leave. Then he observed
casually
sOh, the Fentons have got a daughter
about Delda's age, .Moyra! They have
only a son and this child. I asked her
to come across -morr evening after
dinner and make friends with our young
sters. We may expect her about eight
o'clock for an hour or SO, her mother said.
BY the way, Aileen, the son is up at
Trinity. Do you know anything about
him? The father seemed to imply that he
was rather we'll known there"
II suppose he is" Aileen said care
lcssly. He rowed in the varsity eight
and is captain Of the Rugby team. He'll
never do anything in the other branches
of collegiate education"
sWell, two blues ought to be enough
for my man l promised Mrs. Fenton
.youSwould call as soon as possible, Moy-
ra. You might go as we'll, Aileen. You
and young Fenton might have some COM
interest"
He set his cup down, rallied Bride on
her quietness, and departed to his study.
A minute or two later Aileen also went
away, and Moyra and Bride were left to-
gether. 1t was the moment for which
Moyra had been anxiously waiting, and
yet now that it had come she felt 4
painful nervousness come over
her. Suppose Bride were to keep silent!
She looked anxiously at the girl who sat
in the circle Of the freight, her cheek
on her hand, her eyes fixed on
the ruddy heart Of the Ere. The suspense
was sickening, the reaction almost A.
painful, when Bride said abruptly:
.Tve had a lovely present, Moyra!
has sen me a beautiful book of
oems, and-and such a nice note. Would
You like to sec it?y-and shEly Bride
drew the precious parcel from it's hiding
place. II did not want the others to
know she said, as Moyra took the book.
They laugh and tease 50, and / don't
to be teased about Bert. Isn't
II lovelyy"
1T is beautifully bound,r Moyra agreed,
turning the pages over, her lips compress
ing as she saw that here and there verses
had been lightly penciled, and sometimes
a note of a vaguely sentimental, strictly
iimpersonal character had been written.
The poems were the productions OF 4
minor poet whose claim to long life was
entirely due to his printers. Very charm
ing-beautifuIly got up !" she commented
aloud. 1T is a pity the poems are not
more worthy Of the care expended On
them"
=" thought they were beautiful" Bride.
said meekly. They are 10 nice and
short, and there are not msny of them"
"A1l recommendations in your eyes, eh,
dear? Well, 1t vas kind Of Bertram to