The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1907-11-30

well, two blues ought to be enough
for any man! l promised Mrs. Fenton
you would call as soon as possible, Moy-
ra. You might go as well. Aileen. You
and young Fenton might have some COM
mon 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
sudden 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
resting on her hand, her eyes fixed on
the rudy heart of the fire. The suspense
was sickenng, the reaction almost as
painful. when Bride said abruptly.
I've had a lovely present, Moyra !!
Bertram has sent me beautiful book of
poems, and--and such nice note. Would
you like to see it?"-and shyly Bride
drew the precious parcel from its hiding
place. Il did not want lie others to
know" she said, as Moyra took the book.
''They laugh and tease so, and | don't
want 10 be leased aOout Bert. lsnS
it lovelyT
1T is beautifully bound" Moyra agreed
turning the pages over, her lips compress
ing as she saw that here and there verses
had been lightly penciled, and sometimes
note of vaguely sentimental, strictly
impersonal character had been written.
The poems were the productions of a
minor poet whose claim to long life was
entirely due to his printers. very charm
ing-beautifully got up!' she commented
aloud 1T is a pity the poems are not
more worthy of the care expended on
them"
Il thought they were beautiful" Bride
said meekly. They are SO nice and
short, and there are not many of them"
"All recommendations in your eyes, eh,
dear? Well, it was kind of Bertram to
send them suppose he wanted to make
some acknowledgment of our kindness to
him. and he thought the poems would
find the most favor in your eyes," Moyra
said. hating herself for speaking so. And
what does he say in his letter? '-hold-
ing up her hand as a matter of course.
Bride hesitated, but lifelong obedience
prevailed and she slowly gave the note
into the outstretched hand
'Don't-don't criticize it, Moyra," she
whispered, and then hurried from the
room.
1t was very clever letter, Moyra
thought angrily-a letter which could
be read in many ways. High-fiown and
a little sentimental, but non-committing,
would be the ordinary persons verdict
on it. But it would not be classed like
disposed to view the writer with more
favor than he deserved.
HE has no right to write to her So"
Moyra declared, and while she sat with
the book and the letter still on her knee
the Rector entered in search of her. She
was worried and perplexed, and almost
without intention she told her trouble to
him.
The Rector was inclined to 'pooh-pooh"
the whole matter. Bertram was senti-
mental lad who was naturally attracted
by Brides uncommon beauty. 1t was not
at all. likely that Bride would take such
little courtesies and attentions seriously.
'But it is likely she does so already"
Moyra answered irritably. "She hasn't
a scrap Of ambition in her, and. if she
gets the idea that she is in love with
him, she will never lose it. You know
what she is! Her affections are slow,
but they are lasting. And surely you
don't want her to marry Bertram Char
he nx-fh xrh
/ doubt exceedingly. He is incapable Of
more than flirtation," she added bitterly.
"Of course / don't want him to marry
Bride. hook to her to make the match
of the family. shall write to Lady
Sarah as soon as the holidays are over.
But am afraid, Moyra dearest, you are
a little prejudiced against young Char.
teris. You should let bygones be by
Cones"
The tears sprang to Moyra's eyes.
"Oh, father" she said, do you think
there is any thought of myself in the
matter? You misjudge me cruelty if you.
do and the Rector protested vigorously
that he had never intended to imply that
any selfish motive influenced her words.
Christmas is essentially the children's
festival To those who have eaten of the
tree of knowledge, who have much to re-
member as we'll as to hope, the sigh OF
regrets for the years that are past comes
reader to the lips than the jest for the
future yet Angus Robertson enjoyed the
whole day thoroughly.
The church was very crowded. and the
Rectory party had to separate. Aileen
saw that the Fentons occupied the bench
behind her own. and went off to the tram
sept. leaving Robertson to take her place
with Moyra.
1t was the first time he had sat with
her. He listened to her quiet voice con-
Tossing humbly her many sins and trans
gressions-dear saint, there were few in
that church who had lighter confession
to make. none who made it more sim
- Al