The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-01-16
CHAPTER n.

q first-class finishing establishment for
young ladies Of wealth and position,
and although certain of the pupils who
had undeniable rights to azure blood
made the sneering remark that posi-
ton took second place il the money
was sufficiently apparent, this detrac-
ton In no way diminished the prosper
ity OF the proprietress.
Miss Dauncey at forty-five was still
a handsome woman, In spite of many
marks of care and suffering that lined
her face. and as she pored over a let
ter In the s~eclusion of her private
room she appeared genuinely distress
ed. Then, with a sigh OF resignation,
she touched the bell.
ASK Miss Brent to come to me-"
A few moments later a bright young
girl entered the room. She seemed to
be about nineteen years of age, the
very incarnation Of fresh beauty and
maidenhood.
"You sem for me, Miss Dauncey?"
Eyes, Mary; | want to talk to you.
I have had a letter from your father"
"Oh! And does he-"
Eyes, dear, he wants you to go
home; and this very day. Yours Is a
very strange case, Mary. During the
ten years you have been with me you
have seen your father only about
twice. and have never once been to
his home"
Il look upon this as home, Miss
Dauncey; 1t Is the only one I have
known since I left India"
And i hope you will always regard
II ss such, ny dear, FOR you have been
with me SO long that | look upon you
as my daughter. Now, l want you to
prepare yourself, Mary; your father is
evidently an eccentric man, and | do
not know what kind of a home you are
going to. He writes that he cannot af-
ford to keep you here any longer"
"But my father Is rich, isn't he? I
have been brought up like a lady and
allowed to spend what money l have
wanted"
II do not know any more, dear.
Messrs. Dodson e. Dicks have always
paid your bills, but IL don't think
your father is living in a very large
house, and"
But how do you know that, Miss
Dauncey?"
"Mr. Winton was down In Kent a
day or two ago and he called at Stall.
held on his way back"
"Oh! Mr.. Winton."
do you not care for him, Mary?
He admires you very much"
HE can't compare with Godfrey;
and. oh, Miss Dauncey, Godfrey was
going down to see father to-day. He
The asked me last night II I would
marry him."
"And I can see by your face that
you said YES Well. dear. he is a fine
young fellow and Of good family, SO I
hope you will be very happy. But you
must hurry now and get ready. I will
see you or from London Bridge, and
then let Godfrey West know that he
may expect to find you at home when
he goes to see your father"
"Oh. thank you: you are always 30
kind to me. I shall not be long get
ting ready"
At midday. when Miss Dauncey and
Mary Brent stood in the station at
London Bridge, they were both very
silent. Miss Dauncey was rejecting
upon an interview she had Just had
with Montagr winton. and Mary's
thoughts were wondering about the
new Nfs she was beginning to enter
upon.
do you see that strengthening
man over there. Miss Dauncey? He
has been gazing at you foe quite FIVE
minutes"
Miss Dauncey looked In the direc.
ton indicated, and saw q giant-like
man some 6 feet 4 inches In height.
His long hair, of a fierce red, hung
about his shoulders, and a huge bushy
beard swept his broad chest. His face
was SCARED with many a wound. and
in one of his tremendous fists he held
a cudgel as thick as a young tree.
This strengthening individual. see
ing that he vas observed zane toward
them"
"Sure an l can't be mistaken; you
must be little Kate Pilrig."
Il beg your pardon, sir: my name is
Dauncey."
"Then We must have got married to
Mr.. Dauncey: aw. yis. | can't be mis-
taken"
Miss Dauncey stared at the man
and a startled look came into her
eyes.
"Joe!"
Jaw, yis. sure knew l was right
Little Kate couldn't forget her old
sweetheart, Joe Drawn. tho it's TWEEN
ty years since we met. An this'll be
yer bonny daughter. AVN thinkin'?"
mo; this is my pupil, Miss Brent
She is Just going home to her father"
Jaw. surely not the daughter OF
John Brent. of S~tallneld?"
why, yes; do you know him?"
'sSure an I've Just been down calm
on the old gentleman. Aw, yis, sure
enough: an he's jest been huyin' ,
bonny wsddin' present for ~"