The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-07-24

"A"N Va hANSi AASO INV
hands her letter to Mr.. Mayhem ha
fallen, would either take her to hi
own house or direct her to a suitabl
hotel. In either case he felt sure sh
would write q letter to him or to hi
sister before bedtime, and the mex
morning she would take train bacl
again to claim her fathers letter an
to consult him as to what she shoult
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 theiI
late guest, but Clement treated the
matter apparently with supreme IN
difference. He was not consciously a
hyrocrite, 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
tIIucS WITHOUT HllIIDcl iId LIZ oAhu
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
Tho telegram caught him off his
guard. He feared he had shown agi-
taticn. In any way he had expressed
himself in q way that was open to
misinterpretatfOn. This would have
to b corrected, and the sooner he be-
gan the better. He "a a little bit
ashamed Of himself. He knew it
would be much more honest and he
role to confess the truth and face all
consequences. There was, after
all. nothing to be ashamed Of in con-
to anxiety under the circum-
Marion was only a girl, as
he had too often told himself. and he
had undoubtedly spent a good deal of
Tine In her company, and he might
show concern now without exciting
On the other hand, the opportunity
'or 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
up to the present, and If
he we're not careful his peace of
mind might be permanently Destroy
ed. Hence he was resolved to let
them SCI that he was unaffected by
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
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
cas- 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"
II should IL l knew them. Know
ing a person makes all the difference.
Marion is so awfully young and mex
perienced to be flung adrift upon the
world. Besides, I've got to be cry
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."
8" would not say that, mother"
Clement remarked, mildly. "Her faith
er's letter will be SEN back here, and
she may return for It,"
When it can be sen 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 uu 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
win do nothing Of the kind. She has
no claim upon us, and you know how
the very name West irritates me-"
"Of course, we may never see her
again." he said, with pretended indif.
ference. "But In the chances OF hui.
man life no n knows what may
happen"
Il should be very sorry II I thought
should never see her again," Esth.
81 interposed. 1T would be quite out
u reason. She was given to US by
he sea, and she belongs to US"
ESTHER! Esther!" Mrs. Mawgan In
corrupted. When viii you get those
'antastic notions out of your head and