Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-05-15
CHAPTER XIV.

I HEHs4E.a G. 49, .
Ella and Lionel went down two steps
into a little, dark, brick foored kitchen,
with raftered ceiling, a low, wide fire.
place, pots and saucepan-lids hanging over
the chimneyplace a little, quaint, wooden
dresser, with queer little cups, and mugs,
and jugs, hanging On brass nails. Before
the smoldering fire, a very old woman was
seated, knitting a stocking. She got up
with some ~alacrity when the young lads
entered, turned round, and showed a smil-
ing, old, brown face, surrounded by a
clean cap border. She bobbed a curtsy.
please to take a chair, missile"
mo; l think I would rather stand, Mrs.
Harrison; ! can't stop long. I've only
brought half n pound Of tea. Don't you
think it's very good of me?"
That tits, missile, bless your pretty
heart. and send you the finest nobleman
in London for n husband !"
Lionel Leigh looked down ct the brick
floor, and smiled. Ella saw the smile
saw the bitterness and the sadness which
formed its elements.
Mrs. Harrison, I wish I was to be
married tomorrow. Coach and four milk
white horses, twelve bridesmaids, a box
OF diamonds, a great iced cake, n ball in
the evening, and the next day to be whirl-
ed off to France or Spain on a wedding
trip. Wouldn't it be jol1yY"
She wheeled about as she spoke, and
then began to inspect the little jugs, and
mugs, and cup which hung upon the
wooden dresser Then, passing close by
the SIDE Of Lionel-who, having placed
the basket on the ground, was standing
with folded arms, following with a somber
&,- l.x - - 500 80 ~ VI L. = u -
a whisper:
Am | not a delightful, angelic crea-
ture? My sentiments express a superb
intelligence, a sympathy with what Is
noble and true. an appreciation for the
poetry of life"
ella ran out to where all the children
were gathered about the gates. She took
out her purse, and straightway dealt them
sixpence apiece all round.
"Ginger-bread, bulps-eyes, and oranges"
said Miss Wycherly. you like those bet
ter than spelling and multiplication. Come
on, Mr.. Leigh. There is one more old
lady to whom we must dispense provis-
ions but she Is bedridden and deaf. Don't
you think that I am an instructive kind of
young person, just the one to visit these
poor ignorant creatures, and teach them
the road they should walk in? Just turn
round and look Mt that group of young
faces How they are all grinning over
their sixpenccs! IL Miss Worthington
had been the dispenser those same faces
would each have heightened half a yard
oe more. She would have lectured them
on their shortcomings and misdoings she
would have threatened them with the ter
rors of the law, both human n divine.
Not q hole in their pinafo-es, not a
smudge on their little faces, would have
escaped her criticism. Don't you think
they must like me a great deal the better
OF the two?"
She did not wait for his answer, but
led on to ttr1next cottage, where the
bedridden patient received her thankfully.
Now, Mr.. Leigh, We must 60 home"
snid Ella, looking at her watch. ut
is fonr o'clock, n we dine at seven.
A short cut across the park will take us
home In less than on hour. No more
woodland ramblcs, and the empty basket
is light, and I am in a very good temper.
1t has done me good to see those children
delight over their sixpences. Mr.. Leigh,
how very silent you areI ! have been
trying to distinguish myself in your eyes
and you look as glum as II you consid-
cred me stupid and uninteresting, If not
a most orthodox and ~imprudent young
person. Why don't you talk, Mr.. Leigh?"
Il have nothing to say. Miss Wych-
erly."
THAT is q fb. You have a great deal
to say, only you are afraid to say It"
She looked at him al she spoke, dam
gerously, out Of her dark eyes. Lionel's
heart trembled within him. What did
this girl mean? What was this odd, fash
ing, beautiful creature, with her smiles,
and her %sallies, and her somber moods?
It seemed to him at times that an ele-
ment Of evil mingled with the atmosphere
that surrounded her. Where it was and
what was it, he could not say. When
she looked at him SO dangerously, and
dared him to speak, there was in his
soul a strange feeling. Was 1t fear or
sudden revtlsion7 What was it that made
his heart quake, and his blood run cold7
They had entered q shady alley In the
park. Ella suddenly stopped. clutched
him by the shoulder, and looked him in
the eyes. Her beautiful face was close
to his own, the red lips terribly near.
The mans whole soul was stirred within
him.
y have made up my mind to tell you
everything" said Ella. Il must have a
iconfidantI must have a friend. You
know that night Arthur Calthorpe-
"What-what| cried Lionel, in wild
excitement.
"Hush don't speak so loud! But I
know how he was struck. and why. I.
will tell you all. Listen y
She held up her finger. She vas very
pale.
~ 100 - L-.-A J.A---l-- c,r