The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-09-04
CHAPTER xiI.-(continued.

O0API6N
1t was not 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 than 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 no might be; and to
90 back now On all his hopes and
dreams aud 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 tel; 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 rrejudiced
eyes such a proposition would not only
be g%rotesQue, but absolutely idiotic.
Even to himself the adventure seemed
90 Quixotic that he hardly DARED think
Of 1t in specific terms.
For the moment, however, the fu-
ture beckoned him, and love urged him
on. To what difficulties, T., 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. If 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
ne to Oxford" he said. But up to
the present what has been the use of
It? I am hoping now I shall be able
to turn my education to some &C.
count"
MY dear son." she exclaimed, tear
fully, why will you take that common
CldA VIEW i SLOuIu udVO
thought that culture for its own sake
"
"Yes, 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,
one is justified in turning his educa-
ton to account"
I'm your case there Is NO such
necessity"
Excuse me, there is very great
necessity" he replied. 1--WE r al
ways on the edge Of the last over
eign. We are always denying our
selves. A dozen replenishments are
needed, and we cannot afford them.
We cannot afford a trip abroad, or
even 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 fat, with
what l can earn we should be in
clover"
suggestion of q villa was nearly as bad
as suggesting the workhouse. Burst
ing into a paroxysm Of tears she stole
dejectedly 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 more depressing. Mrs.
Mawgan was sarcastic and pathetic
by turns. Esther alone kept a bright
and cheerful c~ountenance. In her heart
she admired her brother for his cou
are, and looked forward to long Wis
its to London which should 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 by Grayton that the Nebraska
was beginning to break up, and that
already . quantity Of passengers lug
rage had been washed up by the tide,
Esther was nj excitement in a mo-
mont, and insfote1 o. taking a walk
st once to 81 Chloe bay.
GraytOn felt his heart give a sud
den bound. II Esther went to ST.
Chico bay she would be sure to walk
With him % far a. the village. Per
haps she would allow him to go with
her ! ! far q she went. Perhaps she
would allow him to return with her to
lfaw9an Chase. Perhaps. But he
checked himself suddenly 1T that
point.
Nrs. Mawgan raised numerous OBJ.
1ections. The day was cold. the wind
bOisterous, the roads were muddy.
ana tho a~fternoon wa already Tar
spent
Father, however. was resolute. A
nod blow. shs protested, would DO her
god. and ten minutes later she and
0rayt4n set ont togethsr.
CHAPTER Kill.
Ibs G6ue ~ A1yeeefy.
Thpfe was ! shorter road - d
Chloe by thsn tho one 0rayton and
|Ehther tpok. bst.as 4 vas : windy
track ncruuno tho noldn. thoY chose the