The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-09

v
been awfully interested, and the
hours have sped away like a dream"
You've not paid much attention to
your own special charge"
How could |, Esther? Besides,
you were looking after her. / hope
she's all right"
You will be glad to have her out
OF the house, | expect"
Really, I've not had time to con-
slider the matter yet. Is she begin
ming to bore you?"
ION the contrary, she interests me
more and more. | want you to see
her. and help her II you can"
'Yes?"
1T was through you she was
brought here, and you cannot shirk
your responsibility very well, you
know"
II don't know that / have shown
any disposition to do So" he said, col
oring slightly.
you have shown no interest in her
scarcely inquired after her, in fact
Even mother has remarked it. You
might be sorry you brought her here"
Il don't pretend to be greatly in
terested," he remarked indifferently.
"Of course, all women are obnox-
ious In your eyes"
mo. You are not" and he laughed
a little harshly.
"Oh, I am your sister, and don't
count. But listen" and she told
Marion's story in as few words as pos
| sibIe.
well, what am | to do?" he asked.
"You might advise her how to act.
She will not be able to travel for
some days, hat is certain. In the
meanwhile, should she communicate
with this Mr.. Mayhem"
THAT Is a matter she can surely
decide for herself he said, in a tone
of Indifference.
ooh, no doubt"
their own way whatever you advise
them. They are So"
"You needn't be cynical" she inter-
rupted. "Will you come and see
Marion west?"
See herr"
"She is in the yellow room. We are
having tea together directly. You
might join us. Mother has gone to
call on Mrs. Parkyn."
Then I'm to join you or have tea
alone?" he questioned, knocking the
ashes from hts pipe.
'"That is just how matters stand"
she answered. laughing.
He placed his pipe On the mantel-
piece and began walking up and down
the room. He was conscious OF a
distinct fiuttering of the heart, and
the fiuttering annoyed him. He had
vowed that no woman should ever in
terest him again. He had done with
the sex forever. He had anathema-
tized woman In. the mass with the
whole wealth OF his vocabulary, and
felt a keen sense OF satisfaction In
doing It.
Yet now the humiliating fact was
forced home upon him with irresisti-
BILE conviction that he was interested
In a woman-that a pale, sad. immo-
bile face had haunted him during the
last two days and nights, that he had
been curious beyond anything he had
| ever known before to see that finely
chiselled face light up with the glow
of intelligence. that he had wondered.
times without number, what her eyes
were like.
He had hidden his feelings, he
knew. in a pretended Indifference.
had simulated an which he
did not feel, had fought himself dur
ing wakeful hours OF the night, and
had refrained from asking, questions
during the day; but the sauickened
beating of his heart indicated to him
that the battle Was not yet finished.
II will drink tea with you with
pleasure" he said, turning suddenly
on his heel, and he smiled in a con-
fdent way.
"That 10 right, Glenn. 1 will order
It at once" and she got up and left
the room.
II may as well face the foe first an
last" he reflected, when he found
himself alone. after my experience,
/ am not likely to be deluded a second
time"
His first impulse was to go to his
room and change his clothes, but after
q moments reflection he decided that
would be a sign Of weakness. He
was not anxious to make an impress
sion. 1t was a matter OF Indifference
to him what she might think of him.
Eliza came at length and announced
that tea was ready. and he made his
way slowly up the stairs. At the yell
low room door he paused and drew Z
deep breath. He was absurdly nerv-
Gus. and was angry with himself In
consequence.
He knocked timidly. then turned
the handle and pushed open the door.
His eyes sought the couch at ono
His sister was sitting with her back
toward him. Marion raised her head
and their eyes met.
II was . transfgured face he saw,
and for = moment he felt unable to
withdraw his gaze. It was like the
face he had seen before. but only as
chiselled marble Is like the living
form. The eyes were open now-and
such wondrous eyes!SThe pale cheeks
were sufYused with color. the rigid
lips just . little apart. the wet wisps