The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-23

concluded that Mr.. Pfnder, into whose
hands her letter to Mr.. Mayhem had
fallen, would either take her TO his
own house or direct her to a suitable
hotel. In either case he felt sure she
would write a letter to him or to his
sister before bedtime, and the next
morning she would take train back
again to claim her fathers letter and
to consult him as to what she should
do next.
Having reached this conclusion
while dressing, he went down to din
ner in a comparatively cheerful frame
of mind. Esther seemed a little wor-
ried and wanted to talk about their
late guest, but Clement treated the
matter apparently with supreme in
difference. He was not consciously d
hypocrite, though he did believe that
under the circumstances a little pre-
tence was justifable. He had rallied
against women with unnecessary We
hemence for SO long, had protested
times without number that no woman
should ever be allowed to awaken his
interest again, that he felt he could
not throw this role aside suddenly
without subjecting himself to consid.
erabie humiliation.
Moreover, he felt he had already
gone too far in revealing his feelings.
Tho telegram caught him off his
guard. He feared he had shown agi-
tation. In any way he had expressed
himself in a way that was open to
misinterpretation. This would have
TO be corrected, and the sooner he be-
gan the better, He was a little bit
ashamed CT himself. He knew it
would be much more honest and he
roic to confess the truth and face all
the consequences. There was, after
all, nothing TO be ashamed of In con-
Tossing to anxiety under the circum-
stances. Marion was only a girl, as
he had too often told himself. and he
had undoubtedly spent a good deal of
time in her company, and he might
show concern now without exciting
remark.
On the other hand, the opportunity
for correcting any wrong impression
was too good to be missed. His moth
er's keen and anxious eyes were upon
him. Esther often saw more than she
cared to reveal. She had been a little
incautious up to the present, and If
he were not careful his peace OF
mind might be permanently destroy
ed. Hence he was resolved to let
them see that he was unaffected by
the experiences of the last few weeks,
and he did his best to persuade him
self that his interest in Marion West
was what any ordinary individual
might feel.
1T really is awfully hard on the
poor girl" Esther said, as If speaking
to herself.
Clement looked up from his plate
and smiled.
Il don't know why you smile,
Glenn" Esther continued. ITO me the
seems almost tragic"
1T is hard. no doubt" he answered,
with pretended Indifference. but no
harder for her than for thousands and
tens of thousands of others, and you
do not worry about them"
Il shauld II knew them. Know
ing a person makes all the difference.
Marion is so awfully young and mex
p~erienced to be flung adrift upon the
world. Besides. I've got to be very
fond of her"
THAT is foolish, Esther, as I have
told you before" her mother chimed
in, severely. "You should never grow
interested in a mere stranger-here
to-day and gone tomorrow. This girl
a never be anything to you-the
chances are you will never see her
again"
Il would not say that. mother"
Clement remarked, mildly. "Her faith
er's letter will be sent back here, and
she may return for it"
When it can be sent to any part OF
the kingdom for a penny? Don't talk
nonsense. Clement"
Also, she may wish to consult YOU
about her future. She has great faith
in your judgment. and she has proved
the kindness of your heart"
Mrs. Mawgan looked up suddenly
and met her sons eyes. The compli-
ment evidently pleased her. what
does she know about my judgment?"
she questioned, in less frigid tones.
Il suppose she has kept her eyes
Open" he said with a laugh.
And you think 1t possible she may
return here? sincerely hope she
viii do nothing of the kind. She has
no claim upon us, and you know how
the very name Vest irritates me-
"Of course, WI may never see her
again. he said. with pretended indif.
ference. but in the chances of hu-
mar life no n knows what may
happen"
Il should be very sorry IL l thought
we should see her again." Esth-
er interposed. 1T would be quite ont
Of reason. She was given to us by
the sea. and she belongs to us
Esther! Esther!" Mrs. Mawgan in
t%errupted. When will you get those
fantastic notions out OF your head and
learn a little practical common
sense?"
Il don't think the notion is fan.
tastic at ALL" Esther replied with