The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-08-06
X. HOOKING.

iOuHu uiL1StlI suldlBinS ou TIC diShi
lecture of the cathedral.
Time passed rapidly, and it began
to grow dark almost before they were
ware
''Will you not go for a Walk" he
said at length. 1T will be pleasant
out Of doors just now
Thank you, but | have some let
tiers to write,' she answered, eva
sively.
You will be ready to start to-mor-
row morning."
Yes, quite ready" she answered,
in a low voice. You are very good
TO ask me-"
worried herself during the last few
days"
Il am very sorry. | meant to have
written. You will never know how
grateful | feel to you ALL" 1t had
grown too dark for him to see the
tears which filled her eyes.
Shall, | see you at diner tonight"
he questioned.
NO; | shall not come down. |
have a good many things to do. Don't
look out for me till tomorrow" aud
she rose to her feet as though she
wished the interview to end.
Till tomorrow, then" he said,
taking her outstretched hand and
holding it for a moment. He fancied
her hand trembled In his, but he vas
not quite sure.
Her goodbye" was only Just above
a whisper, and then she hurried
quickly out of the room. He followed
her after a few moments. and. don
ming his hat and overcoat, went out
into the street.
He was in a decidedly pensive mood.
His pleasure at finding Marion was
tempered by the thought of what his
mother might think. What excuse
could he make? How explain his
game OF make-believe and soften his
fall? If he had only said straight out
that he was coming In search of Ma
rion. the future would have been all
plain sailing. But having started on
a game of pretense he saw number.
berless complications ahead.
He was conscious, too, that the
more he was In Marion's company the
more she charmed him. Not even
Edith Tremayne had ever been so de-
lightful in his eyes. There was a
freshness, a sweetness, naturalness
that quite c~aptivated him. Her mere
presence was more inspiring than
spring sunshine. : All this awoke in
him very serious thoughts. The mere
presence of Marion at Mawgan Chase
for any leugth of time might lead to
complications.
Love and matrimony - desirable
things in themselves-had their seri-
Gus side. His mother reminded him
so often that he was not likely to for
get it--that the ancient glories of
Mawgan Chase could be restored only
by his marrying a rich wife. .
The present income was only re-
spectable roverty-a constant strug-
gle and grind to make both ends meet.
Hence for him TO fall In love with a
penniless girl would be nothing less
than q tragedy.
He walked a good many miles be-
fore dinner. and the time did not
seem at all long, From dinner to
bed time he spent in the lounge, smok-
ing and thinking. There could be
aoaoaht wha.cycr that taking Marion
back with him to Mawgan Chase
would compl,cate things. Nevtrthe-
less, on the whole he felt happier
than he had done for days past.
He slept soundly In spite of the
noise of traffic, and awoke next morn
Ing feeling equal to any adventure.
His heart was beating a little more
rapidly than usual when he descended
TO breakfast. To have the pleasure
Of looking again into Marion Vests
sweet. trustful eyes was something to
anticipate.
The head waiter conducted him to
q table and then handed him a letter.
"For me?" re questioned. in a tone
of surprise. He tore open the en-
velope hastily. for he recognized the
handwriting, but he had scarcely
scanned the first page before his eyes
became SO blurred that he could hard.
ly read. The letter was as follows:
Dear Friend: Allow me to call you
friend this once. When you read this
I shall beon my way to your big city
of London. OF which I have heard so
much. | shall be able to lose myself
there; perhaps I shall find myself.
The good God alone knows. l could
not tell you yesterday; had not the
courage; I was afraid to meet your
contempt: bat l am the daughter of
Richard West. who robbed your
father. You would like to strangle
me. | know. l do not wonder. II
seems a strange Providence that I
should have been thrown upon your
charity. I go away without seeing
you again. for l could not meet the
anger of your eyes,. | hope God will.
reward you fos all your kindness to
me, and may He have mercy ON yours
very gratefully,
~--"rd0rion West"