The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1908-01-04
A SMILING VILLAIN.
CHAPTER xv.-(Continued.)
BY VIOLET nj. FILM.

Don't be angry :" he whispered pas
slonately. She could feel his quickened
breath on her cheek. Her hand huttered
like birds wing in his grasp, then lay
quiescent. ION my honor, ] won't try
to keep you against your will"
I'm not angry, but
"Yes, | know. This sha'n't count. It's
just my foolishness. / won't try to infiu-
ence you"
''But it is really wrong" Aileen pro-
tested weakly. You see, it's of no good.
IL don't mean anything, and 1t seems
such pity you-you should waste
affections"
Billy drew her little closer.
"Hang the future :" he said recklessly.
81 mean to make the most of the present.
1t does not matter afterwards--whe
have to pay the piper"
Perhaps something of the same spirit
animated Aileen, FOR she made no further
protest. But, as they went down the
avenue Aileen suddenly stopped with
little cry. A bright light was streaming
from the school room window, and it had
been momentarily obscured by mans
shadow.
''Cne of the servants" Billy said re-
assuringly
'No servant would go by the school
room window TO the back door" she said.
sit must be tramp. Bride will be ter
rified."
But fhey met no one nor was there any
response as Billy called the servants
names 1t was too dark to see any one,
and he suggested visitor as he rang the
bell. Hammond, who was putting re-
freshments on the dining room table. an
swered the summons promptly. Mono
one had called, and she had just been
into the school room with some hot milk
Cor Miss Bride, who was. much better.
ut was cooks shadow you saw Billy
said reassuringly; but Aileen did not
seem altogether satisfied with the expla-
nation.
Bride glanced up with her usual wei
coming smile SIS they entered. The milk
was on the table beside her, and she was
looking at the Sketch. There was a
beautiful FIRE, and the room was the en-
bodiment of comfort. Billy was not sur
prised that Aileen said nothing to her of
her suspicious. He sat for come time
talking about the evenings proceedings
and making plans for the forthcoming
dance, in which Bride was deeply inter-
ested.
ut will be your first grown-up dance,
Bride" Aileen said, STOPPING to pick up
something from the floor. White satin
and pearls, SUPPOSE
"Moyra said silk would be quite suita-
r. annla 20 VOL
going to have?'
"Ch about sixty or seventy, so as not
to crowd the rooms | hope you'll give
me some dances Bride? DO you think
Robertson will be back in time? You
might let me have his address, and I'll
send him a card. is there any one either
of you would like invited? OF course
Lewiston is to be asked. BY the way"
he added good-naturedly It might ask
Mr.. Mr.-what is his name? Char
teris."
Brides face flushed with pleasure, but
Aileen interposed quickly.
1T might add TO some peoples enjoy
ment, but it would certainly take away
adj Moyra's," she said rather coldly IF
4 have any influence in the matter, please
adOn't ask him..
''Oh, AiIeen!' Bride exclaimed, her
seyes filling with tears.
But Aileen was obdurate, and Billy,
feeling that there was more behind than
he knew, changed the subject. When
the sound of footsteps outside told of the
others return, he rose to go. and as he
shook hands with Aileen, said laughingly
There was nothing wrong after all.
We need not have hurried"
But Aileen drew her hand away with
a jerk.
Everything is wrong" she said ira
gically. Il wish l had never gone to
that wretched party" And then, seeing
his blank look, she added mere kindly
I'll don't mean anything in connection.
with you."