The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-08-27

SWereu, quietly II
But you could learn. You are
young and strong, and an extra fifteen
or eighteen ~shillings a week are not
to be despised."
II am to begin at two hundred a
year." he answered, in the same seri.
Gus tone, (which | think is very hand.
some considering that | have had no
previous experience. Besides, it may
lead the way to something better. Also,
1t will leave you and Esther a little
more to live on"
"Your sister has not complained, so
far as | am aware" was the caustic
answer.
and my mother is a~bundantly sat
isfied, eh?" was the quick response.
Your mother has borne reverse of
fortune as a lady should. l have
neither lowered my flag nor worn my
heart upon my sleeve. My son APP
pears to have forgotten what Is due to
his name and position"
Il am sorry you hold that opinion,
mother. My father, | believe, tried to
better his fortunes, and SO did his
father before i'm"
But not by taking a situation-not
by working for a weekly wage. They
would have scorned the suggestion.
They INDUCED in speculation, as gen
tlemen constantly do
Il think it is much more honorable
to earn what you get than win 1t at a
game of chance. The stock exchange,
so far as | can make out, is often lit
tie more than a huge gambling sa-
LOOM
Mrs. Mawgan rose suddenly from
her chair and swept out of the room.
when a young man begins to reflect
on his father" she said. severely, ut
is time his mother left"
Il expected this storm" he said to
Esther, as he left the mantlepiece and
dropped into an easy chair. by to-
morrow she will be in a more reason
able frame of mind"
"But why this secrecy, Clement?
You might have given us a hint of
what you intended doing"
II was afraid to shout until | vas
out OF the wood he said with a laugh.
IN other words, | did not want to talk
about earning my WI living until |
had found something TO do.
"And you have really got a situa-
tom"
ITO be strictly accurate, Sir An
thony Tre,even got 1t for me-"
"And what will you have to do?'
Arrange and catalogue a library.
replace missing books and purchase
new ones. make a aunt now and then
for rare editions, and generally make
myself useful
And do you think you will like it?"
Il don't know, Esther. | can give it
a trial, anyhow"
II really don't quite see the necessi-
ty OF it. We have lived so long to-
gether, and so far we have managed
to make both ends meet"
Making ends meet is not every
thing, Esther. Since l left college
have simply ~stagnated. 1t is humili.
ating for a healthy young man to drift
on the stream of idleness year after
year. All around me | see men doing
something, contributing their mite to
the sum total of the worlds needs,
while | just vegitate."
"But why IS 1t you have only now
discovered thisf'
He blushed slightly and dropped his
eyes for a moment.
'It is not easy TO explain ne begin
nings of things he sais, slowly.
L sart --t~l t11x.4A -l1.1 st l..tayt
Impulses come unbidden and una
wares. Purposes take root and grow
apparently while you are asleep. l
have chafed for years not knowing
why; longed for something, not know
ing what. Latterly things have crys-
tallized. il you understand. l have
been forced to occupy a fresh stand
point, and to look at things in a new
light
'Since when?"
"You are inquisitive, Esther" he an
swered, with an uneasy laugh. But
DO you remember the days that fol-
lowed the wreck of the Nebraska.
when Grayton and ! were kept busy
from morning till night? Well. those
days-in spite of the pathos of them
were among the happiest of my life.
I was doing something--doing some
thing useful and helpful. The hours
sped away like moments, and | came
home to my meals feeling that life was
worth living"
But that was only for two or three
days Besides. you were o working
for wage. II you we're compelled to go
to st. Chloe three times a day for q
month. I think you would strike"
Very likely" he said, laughing;
"but you asked me a question and I
have given an answer"
And when Marion West went away
the dullness and stagnation were In
tensihed?" she questioned. glancing at
him from under her eyebrows.
"she Frightened up things while she
was here. there Is no denying"
do you think we have lost sight Of
her forever?"
HE shook his head slowly; then
said. after . long pauses why DO you
ask?"
.oh. / dom inow. I suppose It Is
the element ~ mystery and romance
that gets hold Of ones heart and I'm