The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1907-11-23

tents into wardrobe and drawers, while
Aileen removed the traces of her long
journey "You look so tired, dear. I'm
afraid you have been working too hard"
1T has been a worrying term. I've
not done so well as | wanted" Aileen
busted herself with the trinkets on the
dressing table and did not look up, SO
that Moyra did not see the faint blush
on her checks. III tell you about it
later on, but I'm very glad to be at
home and have the chance OF little rest
and peace There seemed touch OF
defiance in her expression as she confront
ed her reelection in the mirror. Give me
that yellow rag-I'm in positive tatters
Moyra. l must get complete new out
fit"
They talked on Indifferent subjects as
Aileen dressed but, as she proclaimed
herself ready and put her arm fondly
round her smaller, slighter sister, Moyra
asked timidly-she often felt very shy
and of no account with her cleverer sis
ter:
There is nothing wrong, dearest|
''My dear little mother goose, what an
anxious old woman it is over her chick
ems who are growing too big to gather
under her wing!"
''Ah, you see | have to sit at home and
wait 1t is easier for those who are
doing" Moyra replied, treasured by
Aliens tone rather than her words.
1t was very merry part that gath
cred round the dinner table that evening
"a noisy one, too, for the twins and Lulu
were also present, the latter sitting be-
tween Moyra and Terry and wildly ex-
cited and happy. Even Bride lost some
of her usual placidity and joined in the
conversation. There was so much to tell
and be told. and as certainly as one be-
gan TO speak so would another, until now
and again a positive babblc arose.
I'm afraid you will think us terribly
noisy" Moyra said to Robertson, under
cover of one of her fathers college stories,
recalled by one of Terry's tales.
Il like it, he said. But have never
realized before how much | have lost by
not being one OF large family"
The party settled down. the conversa-
ton turned to the expected tenants of
the big house. The Beresfords were all
loud in their expression of regret, but
Aieen was particularly indignant when
she heard that the newcomers We're in
trade. She acclaimed vehemently on the
way in which society was being turned
upside down by these pretentious up
starts. The whole gear was out OF order.
For her part. she would recognize no
such mushroom growths. She hoped Moy-
ra would set her face against receiving
them.
Robertson could not understand why
her remarks should cause so much mer
riment, until Moyra explained that it
was a sudden change of front on Aileen's
part, she having held extremely advanced
and socialistic views even so late as the
long vacation, the greater part of which
she had spent with her greatest friend
in woman's settlement. Terry shrieked
with laughter as he listened to her de-
nInciations.
This is good y he exclaimed. "Moyra,
you need no longer fear being confronted
by a long-haired, unwashed apostle OF
freedom as a brother-in-law. Please,
ma'am, what led to such change? Was
it the settlements"
you can't elevate people by Act of Par
lament" Aileen replied, taking the teas
ing in very good part. And / got a good
many eye-openers, as you would say. But
it was at Newman | got my last illu-
sions concerning Natures gentlemen and
ladies shattered have come to the con-
clusion that the result of money and We
neer on natures that We're intended to be
lowly is to make man a cad"
"Oh. my dear, that is rather sweep
ing," the Rector demonstrated good-hu-
moredly. Take our new neigh5ors. for
instance. Bennett tells me that old Fen
ton is a particularly nice old chap who
makes no profession to be better than he
is, and he says young Fenton, who is at
one of the 'varsities, is a most gentle
manly young fellow. Trada-blacking- is
the last thing one would associate with
him."
There was pause. Ailecns face had
changed rapidly from ccntemptuous scorn
through varying expressions of bewilder-
ment, incredulity. and finally annoyance
to Judge from the scarlet blush that suf-
fused her face even TO the roots of her
hair.
Are these people who are going ia
live at the big house the backing Fen
tons?" she asked, in curiously meel,
tone.
"Yes.' the Rector answered; and lAileeh
let her hands drop with a gesture of
helplessness. do you know anything
about them?" he asked.
But Aileen was herself again.
Nothing at all !" she answered decid-
eddy. And ! shall take very good care
1 never do. Moyra may call on them,
but will not"
CHAPTER VII.
1t was the day before Christmas eve