The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-06-26
CHAPTER iV.-(Continued .

he was not prepared to say That she
was beautiful. No oma looks her
best in a. half.drowned condition. Her
abundant hair was matted and tangled
and lay in wisps across her face and
shoulders. Her cheeks and lips were
deathly pale, her eyes were closed,
and there was actually sand in her
ears. No. It could not be said that
she made exactly a beautiful picture.
And yet he had noticed in those hasty
and careless glances-he had told him.
self they were hasty and careless
how long and dark her eyelashes
were, and how beautifully nodded
were her lips and chin.
When she had recovered conscious
ness in some Measure he and Simp-
kins, the butler, had carried her up
stairs. and her cheek had touched his.
She could not help 1t, Of course
neither could he for that matter; but
all these things tended to quicken the
interest that had been excited at the
first.
During the night his sleep had been
very much broken. Every now and
then he awoke with a start, fancying
that he heard a cry for help, and his
thoughts would turn instinctively to
the stranger in the adjoining room.
Who was she? Who were her friends?
How long would she have tc remain?
Esther came down to breakfast, her
cheeks glowing with excitement.
"she's really q lovely girl" she said.
sitting down opposite her brother.
Clement glanced up at her for a
moment, but did not reply.
She's quite recovered. has she"
Mrs. Mawgan asked, a little anxiously.
She's quite rational, II that's what
you mean, mother" Esther answered;
"but l fear she'll have to remain in
bed some time"
But DR.. Bell said no bones were
broken"
But she's terribly bruised, and
then the shock must have been very
great"
Il presume she has told you who
her friends are Clement %interposed,
in an Indifferent tone. "They should
he communicated with at once"
strangely enough she has not said
- word about them. She was anxious
to know II any Of the passengers were
drowned, but I do not think she had
any neal friends among them"
why not?"
Because she would have shown
more concern"
rs she q LADY," Mrs. Mawgan ask
ed, stifly.
III you mean Is she conventional, l
should say decidedly not"
''You mean that she is common"
ION the contrary. I should say she
Is quite uncommon.
II don't like uncommon people. as
they are called. they are generally
vulgar"
miss West is not at all vulgar"
Miss who!"
Her name is Marion West"
"A hateful name. l never hear the
name West without q cold shudder
down my spine.'' and Mrs. Magyar set
her lips tightly together and began
buttering with great vigor a piece Of
dry toast.
''She can't help her name, Of
course" Clement said, indiferently,
though 1t is a little unfortunate for
US because Of its associations"
1T would be better IL we could for
get the past" Esther said. quietly;
mo good aver cones of crying over
split milk"
Mrs. Mawgan's face hardened In .
moment. Forget the past?" she said,
severely. would you have me forget
all l once enjoyed? Forget my hus-
band-cut OF in his prime by-by-oh,
dear, / try not to grow bitter. But
but" and she began to wipe her
eyes with an embroidered pocket.
handkerchief.
Anyhow. the poor gia1 upstairs has
nothing to do with our misfortunes."
Esther said. valiantly.
"Of course she hasn't" Mrs. Nav
gan faltered. Il could not suggest
such q thing for . moment, and yet
the mere mention OF name will be
q pain to mo-" Ill.,
"oh, well. 1t will be for long,
mother" Clement SD, consolingly.
one Will NO uOuUt, 10 Suu'
denly a. she came. and we shall forget
her as readily as she will forget u.s."
"You imagine that women are never
grateful" Esther said. with q faint
trace Of resentment in her voice.
Every rule has its exceptions. Of
course" he answered. Without look
Ing up: 'but We need not speak Of the
exceptions"
why not! It 10 surely good to
speak Of the best and think Of the
best. We grow like the things We
contemplate"
DO w4?"
"Of course we DO. 1 can assure you.
Glenn, you have let your thoughts run
20 p~ersistently in one direction dur
ing the last year or two that you are
Al danger Of losing that fine eeneros-
ity that-that-"
sEP1ease don't finish the sentence.
Esther" no interpossd. with an un.
easy laugh. TT is humbling to be un-
generous, no doubt, but We have to