The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-09-03
CHAPTER xII.-(continued.


IL was no merely to find Marion
that he was setting out to London, but
to make himself worthy OF her, and to
provide the means without which he
could not ask her to be his. The task
he had set before him was nothing
less han the redemption OF self. He
had been slowly rusting, steadily de-
teriorating, losing unconsciously
moral muscle and fiber. The dawn of
love was like a mirror held up to Ma.
ture, revealing to him not only what
he was, but what he might be; and to
go back now on all his hopes and
dreams and resolutions would be cow
ardice of the worst kind.
Unfortunately, In his defense he had
not the courage to take his mother
into his confidence. To tell her that
he was going out into the world to
win back his lost self, that he might
win and wed the daughter of their
greatest enemy, required more daring
than he possessed. To her prejudiced
eyes such a proposition would not only
be grotesque, but absolutely idiotic.
Even to himself the adventure seemed
80 quixotic that he hardly dafed think
of it in specific terms.
For the moment, however, the fu-
ture beckoned him, and love urged him
on. To what difficulties, to what
dangers, to what humiliations, to what
defeats he was marching he did not
know and he did not very much care.
Love blinded his eyes to all minor
matters. IL he could win Marion, and
win himself in the effort. the compen-
sation would be more than sufficient.
He listened very patiently and sym.
pathetically to all his mother had to
say. Her grief touched him to the
quick, and yet he angered her unwit-
tingly.
Il know you sacrificed a lot to send
me to Oxford" he said. But up to
the present what has been the use of
1t? / am hoping now | shall be able
to turn my education to some &C.
count"
NY dear son." she exclaimed, tear
fully, 'why will you take that common
commercial view? should have
thought that culture for it's own sake
--"
Eyes, yes, mother" he interrupted;
II quite agree with you, of course.
Still, since we have to live, and we
cannot live without such common
things as food, and clothes, and fuel,
n is justified in turning his educa-
ton to account"
in your case there is no such
necessity"
Excuse me, there is very great
necessity" he replied. 1--WE are al
way on the edge of the last sover-
eign. We are always denying our
selves, A dozen replenishments are
needed, and we cannot afford them.
We cannot afford a trip abroad, or
ever a holiday nearer home. If we
only had the courage to give up this
penny pomp and show, and were con-
tent with a modest villa or fiat, with
what | can earn we should be In
clover"
This was the last straw. The mere
suggestion of q villa was nearly as bad
as suggesting the w%orkhouse. Burst
ing into a paroxysm of tears she stole
deiectedly out of the room.
Clement was glad when the time
came for him to take his departure.
The atmosphere of Mawgan Chase be-
came more and depressing. Mrs.
Mawgan was sarcastic and pathetic
b~y-turns. Esther alone kept a bright
and cheerful countenance. In her heart
she admired her brother for his cour-
age, and looked forward TO long Wis
its to London which should more than
compensate for the lonely days and
weeks that would intervene.
Clement had been gone rather more
than a month, and Esther and her
mother were settling down comforta-
bly, to the new condition of things,
when news was brought to Mawgan
Chase oy Grayton hat the Nebraska
was beginning to break up, n that
already a quantity of passengers lug
gage had been washed up by the tide.
Esther was all excitement in a mo-
ment, and insisted On taking a walk
at once TO st. Chloe bay.
Grayton felt his heart give a sud
den bound. II Esther went to st.
Chloe bay she would be sure to walk
with him as far as the village. Per
haps she would allow him to go with
her as far as she went. Perhaps she
would allow him to return with her to
Mawgan Chase. Perhaps. But he
checked himself suddenly at that
4 point.
Mrs. Mawgan raised umerou OBJ
jections. The day was cold, the wind
was boisterous. the roads were muddy,
and the afternoon was already far
spent.
Esther, however, was resolute. A
good blow. she protested. would do her
good, and ten minutes later she and
GRAFTON set out together.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Edge Of q Mystery.