The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-09
vThe Shadow Between"
-BY-
sILAs X.
CHAPTER VI. (contInued.)
sILAS X. HOOKING.

wonder what that VIII mean TO
me?' she questioned. as IL speaking
to herself.
You have lost some valuables?"
Il don't mind the clothes or the
bite Of jewelry. But-but the silver
box was at the bottom OF the trunk.
and that held all the papers"
Valuable papers,"
Il really don't know. Now ! think
of 1t, | suppose they would bo valua-
BILE. That question had scarcely oc-
CURED to me till now"
Won't you tell me all about it,"
Esther inquired, gently.
oh, an be glad to tell you IL you
care TO listen. But I'm so afraid Of
worrying people with my affairs
1T will no worry me at all, and
and II we can help you In any way
that Is, Glenn or myself or mother
why. we shall be only too pleased to
do So"
you are very good, and | have put
you to such a lot of trouble already.
Oh, | am ashamed OF being such a
burden TO people,"
Please do not say that again. We
could not have done less than we have
done. II we were sayages on a des-
ert island we should surely show pity
to shipwrecked people"
Marion did not speak again for sew
eral minutes. Esther helped her
across to a small sitting room on the
other side OF the landing-she was
not equal to descending the stairs as
yet.
The freight played on the chintz
covering of the couch and chairs, and
lit up the gilt on the Early Victorian
wallpaper, and brought into relief the
t~hreadbare patches in the carpet, and
reflected itself In the mirror OF an old
fashioned gilt considerable at the
back OF the
"Oh. this is delightful" Marion said,
sinking with a little sigh into q cor
ner Of the couch.
This is mothers boudoir," Esther
answered, but 1t is not often used un-
less some n is poorly. It's a long
way to the drawing room"
What a very big house you have!"
Yes, 1t Is big: much too big. in
fact. You see. 1t has been added to
again and again. In past generations
the Mawgans were we'll off," Then
she stopped abruptly and turned her
eyes toward the window.
Outside the wind was still soughing
softly In the trees. and the rain was
falling with a persistent drip. drip on
the brown leaves.
Marion began to talk after awhile,
slowly and In %subdued tones.
Esther did not interrupt her. She
allowed her to tell her story In her
W way-in detached fragments;
.,ambling up dates and places, jump
ing from the past to the present, and
then back again to the past. She hid
nothing Of Importance save her faith
,er's real character. She idealized
him somewhat, as affection Is apt to
do. She dwelt on his courage and pa
thence and g~entleness. Her mother
she never knew. Her father had told
her that she was very beautiful and
that she died at the time of her birth,
and with that scrap of information
shc had to be content.
OF her hardships she scarcely
spoke. They did not seem h~ardships
to her now. Even Odero was begin
ming to grow beautiful in her eyes.
Relatives she had none II her father
had brothers or sisters he never
spoke OF them. He was a silent man
In the main and rarely alluded to the
past. T.
Why he had sent her to England
she did not know, since he was Ameri-
can born and bred-at least that was
her belief. But it was his wish--his
last command, in fact-that she
should come. She had a letter from
him to Mr.. Mayhew-that. fortunately,
was safe, as was also her purse; but
the papers which would explain ev-
erything TO Mr.. Mayhem were at the
bottom OF the sea-
very likely Glenn will be able to
help you." Esther said. when Marion
had finished her story.
II keep wondering what Mr.. May
ihew Is like" Marion continued, after
q pause. "You see, l never heard Of
him till the night father died, and !
cannot imagine what interest he can
nave in me. II I had only . brother.
Ior 4 relative Of any sort, I should net
feel 90 utterly alone In the world"
and the tears flled her eyes again.
"You must let me be your friend.
whatever happens" Esther said, sym
lpathetically. and she pushed her chair
nearer to the couch and took Marion's
hand in hers.
For awhile they sat in silence. look
ing at the ire and listening to the
soughing OF the wind.
Then the banging Of the door pro;
claimed the return Of Clement from
st Chloe. where he had been most Of
the day.
Esther left the room after awhile
and made her way downstairs. She
found her brother In tbs library, So
,lacing himself with q pfps. He rose
at once when she came into the room,
and pushed an easy chair for her OBJ
posite vhere he had been sitting.
you look tired. Glenn" she said.
"Have you been very busyfs
tsRathert Though not no busy a.
yestor-ay. expect I An beginning
- ~. ~ reaction"