The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-08-07

found himself charging on the archi-
lecture of the cathedral.
Time passed rapidly, and 1t began
to grow dark almost before they were
aware.
will you not &c for a walk" he
said at length. 1T will be pleasant
out Of doors just now"
Thank you, but have some let
ters 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-"
Esther will be delighted. She has
worried herself during the last few
days"
Il am very sorry. I mean to have
written. You will never know how
grateful l feel to you ALL" 1t had
grown too dark for him to see the
tears which filled her eyes.
Shall, I see you at diner tonight"
he questioned.
mo; l shall not come down. l
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
q whisper, and then she hurried
quickly out OF the He followed
her after a few moments, and. don
ming his hat and ov%ercoat, 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 m~ake-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, hat the
more he was in Marion's company the
more she charmed him. Not ever
Edith Tremayne had ever been SO de-
lightful in his eyes. There was a
freshness, a sweetness, n%aturalness
that quite ~captivated 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 length 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-
spectacle 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 a 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
no doubt whatever that taking Marion
back with him to Mawgan Chase
would complicate 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
a table and then handed him a letter.
For me?" he questioned, In a tone
| OF surprise. He tore open the
| velope hastily, for he recognized the
handwriting, but he had scarcely
scanned the HfSt page OeIOre MS eyes
became go blurred that he could hard
" read. The letter was as follows:
Dear Friend: Allow me to call you
friend this once. When you read this
I shall heon my way to your big city
OF London, Of which I have heard SO
much. l shall be able to lose myself
there: perhaps I shall find myself.
The good God alone knows. could
not tell you yesterday; had not the
courage; was afraid to meet your
contempt; but I am the daughter of
Richard West, who robbed your
father. You would like to strangle
me, | know. I do moi wonder. 1t
seems a strange Providence that |
should have been thrown upon your
charity. / go away without seeing
yous again. for / could not meet the
anger of your eyes. | hope God VIII
reward you for all your kindness %
me, and may He have mercy on yours
very gratefully.