The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-06-18
And Eliza stole on tiptos 70 vAe

And Eliza stole on tiptoe 70 tAe
door, peeped out on the landing, came
back and closed the door softly. then
store up again to the bedside.
"As J was a-sayin'," she continued,
between me and the bedpost and you,
/ believe the curate's fair
ooh, please" Marion interrupted.
You should not attempt to tell me
any OF the family secrets. I am only
a stranger, you know"
Eliza blushed and looked a little
confused. Believe me, num-" she
protested, II wouldn't tell a secret for
the world. Besides, a curate with
only so pounds a year don't stand no
chance at ALL" And with this deliver
ance she hustled out OF the room.
Marion began to take stock Of her
surroundings. The bed in which she
lay was an ancient four-poster, with
damask curtains looped up at each
corner. The wardrobe was squarely
built and devoid OF all ornament. The
rest of the furniture conformed to
type. She could not see the carpet,
and beyond the foot of the bed was a
tract OF country which her ayes could
not explore.
To her II. seemed a handsome, even
magnificent, room, and awoke mem
cries of years ago., when she and her
father lived in comfort in big cities.
C~ontrasted with the rough, log-built
house they occupied in Odero it was
a regal apartment, almost worthy of
royalty itself.
Esther came back again after
awhile, bringing a dainty breakfast of
tea and toast and a boiled egg. Mari
on made an effort to sit up, but quick
ly lay down again with a hardly-sup-
pressed groan.
"Ah, don't try to move again." Esth-
er said, alphabetically. You must
let me feed you. can do SO quite
nicely. | assure you"
Il don't know why IL should hurt me
so to move" Marion faltered, keeping
back the tears with difficulty.
81 know. You are terribly bruised,
and your left arm is badly lacerated.
But the doctor feels sure that no
bones are broken"
HAS a doctor seer me?"
why, Of course. Don't you remem-
Der him?"
Marion shook her head, and a dis
tant look came into her eyes.
He was here almost before we got
you safely tucked into bed. He'll be
round again this morning"
II am sorry to give you so much
trouble" Marion said, with trimming
eyes, and her she made an attempt
to eat some of the buttered toast.
Over the breakfast table the only
subject of conversation was the wreck
and the stranger upstairs. Clement
was %curiously interested, but tried
his best to hide the fact. He had vow
ed to be interested in a woman
again, barring, of course. his mother
and sister. He had learned his lesson
and was not likely to forget 1t. The
man who allowed himself to be caught
a second time, he declared. was a fool
diu uCSClNSu ho SylupdlnS It udu
enlarged on this subject more than
once before his mother and sister.
They knew of his experience, and had
come to regard him as a confirmed
bachelor, if not a confirmed woman
hater.
He had acted on a sudden impulse
the previous evening. Marion's pluck
and generosity had impressed him.
She was no whimpering and hysterical
female. She had a steady nerve and
faced the situation bravely and reso-
lutely. She was content to see all the
others cared for before she received
attention. 1t was possible room might
have been found for her in the village.
Perhaps. all things considered. he had
acted on a toe hasty impulse.
He had thought a good deal about
the matter during the night. When
she was laid dripping and unconscious
before the dining room fire he had
been able to get a good look at her
face, and the face had haunted him
more or less during the night.
Ito Be Continued.)