Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-01-10

II might just as we'll have worn my
old gown and been seventy and an old
WITCH she said half aloud, as she turned
away to blow out the candles. "He never
noticed il | looked nice or not. He re-
CARDS me just as an intellectual machine"
CHAPTER XIII.
1t was surprising to all the Beresfords
to find how much they missed Angus
presence and unobtrusive help when they
were removed from the Rectory circle.
Every hour of his absence intensified this
loss to Moyra, and she recognized the
little kindnesses,. the help, and the prompt
assistance that had been hers. She had
been alone so long and the break in her
old habits had been so brief tina she
could not understand why the resump-
ton of them should be so filed with
pain.
The day of his departure had. still an
other event to mark it unpleasantly in
Moyra's memory. That evening the Rec
tor, Terry and the two eldest girls were
to dine at the big house, but that did not
prevent Billy and Vera from making
their appearance in the school room at
tea time, Billy with a. request for Prof.
~~' y NNthN.' as "a l. Ndo
anxious that he should join the dinner
party. After the gloom of the day the
spirits of the family began to revive,
and tea became a very lively meal. In
spite of his sisters protests. Terry was
mimicking Prof. Lewiston, when sudden
ly Bride, who was facing the window,
jumped up with a scream.
"ANhat is the matter1 Are you going
IN Eo w a GSS = What JfI %, .ao Tu:1 ~
were remarks that were distinct in the
hubbub that arose, but Bride had flown to
the window and was unfastening it as
quickly as her excitement would allow.
She threw the sash up, and the next
instant a laughing voice cried
MAY / come in? Or must I say, like
Paul Pry. | hope I don't intrude?"
"Why, it's Charters" Terry exclaim-
ed, open-mouthed and open-eyed, as Ber-
tram sprang lightly into the room.
Il assure o u Moyra," he cried, in
laughing protest Of her grave face, II
was intending to make az orthodox entry,
but the way was long, fas wind was
cold and the light acress the lawn tempt
ed me, and then Bride finished my fall''
looking at her with merry eyes. why,
Terry, I never expected to see you And
how are you, Aileen? 1t is ages since
we met"
He went around the table, shaking
hands with those he knew, smiling in
very friendly fashion as he was introduce
ed to the strangers.
IT met q man in town, charming fell
low, who knows you very WELL" he said to
Fenton, as he sank into a seat beside
Bride. "He is a Trinity man named Or
mond."
Eyes, said Billy, rather indifferently.
II know his name, but the acquaintance
does not go any further"
"Nhen did you come back, Bertram?"
Bride inquired. The color his sudden
appearance had brought was still in her
cheeks. She was looking ~radiantly love-.
1y and SO unafectediy happy that Moyra
clenched her hands at the sight.
Exactly three hours ago-just time
enough to have some lunch, change, and
get rid of smoke and dust, and then I
came here. I could not stay away any
longer" he added, in an undertone that
only Bride heard. She smiled and blush
ed, and her eyes shone with happiness.
Bertram was evidently very pleased to
be amongst his friends, and laughed and
talked in his gayest, most fascinating
manner. He did not seem to notice tina
his arrival had caused a cessation of the
laughter and joking that had been going
on. He talked little about his absence !:
he had been very busy, he said vaguely !;
he was more anxious to know how the
Beresfords had been spending their time,
and he began making plans for skating
parties and the like.
.ANlStt1o 0fae Tornn,ppd ruppa ~ 1;<I,
a note, which she presented to Moyra.
Aileen, who sat beside her sister, saw her
face brighten suddenly as she read, but
it was not until Billy made a move to
depart that she said to him
xviii you please thank Mrs. Fenton,
Billy, and tell her Bride shall go with
us? Mrs. Fenton wants you to go with
us too, Bride" she said, addressing the
girl, who seemed about to protest, and
did so as soon as Billy had gone.
~ would rather not so, Moyra,' Bride
said. Ell would prefer to-stay at home.
/ don't want to go out tonight
Moyra glanced from the flushed face
to Bertram's smiling c~ountcnance;
eyes. laughing as they were still. had Il
touch of defiance in them. He could see
plainly when he chose, and his glance told
II e tudt ne y ~ ouSd IN dhAiSly hot
to leave Bride near him, and he defied her
to win as easily as she expected to do.
81 wish you to go, Bride" she said,
with unusal authority in her voice, and
she began to talk .of passing sevents, de-
termined not to leave until Bertram had
gone, and she could take Bride with her.
Then the conversation became general
again. Terry wanted to now something
of Bertram's foreign experiences. and
during the talk that .ensued Angus Rob
ertson's name was continually brought up
by one or another Of the Beresfords. Pres
entity Charters turned to Bride, who was
sitting in her favorite attitude near the
fire, her hands clasped round her knee.
her face upturned to him.
You have not forgotten your promise
about the portrait, Bride?" he asked.
"Nhen may L bcgin?'
Brides pink cheeks grew pinker: she
pouted her lips like a child, and looked
perilously near
Mcyra says I had better not" she
YAfd bsokenly. 5s6s -
y Bertrans locked at Meyra in mild sur
prise. but before she could make any re-
Dly Hammond rsappeared Some enc had