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

fng's business extremely. 1t was pleas
ant to shop with any one SO generously
inclined as Haywood Fenton, and both
the Caterham West and the orphanage
children had reason to bless his presence
In the toyshop that morning. And Billy
was an entertaining companion, with a
fund of easy conversation. As she lisS-
ened Aileen began to understand the Sc
cret of his extreme popularity A little
nonsense now and then is relished by the
wlsest men. and the highly strung. in
tellectual girl found Billy's commonplace
conversation a decided relief.
1--WE really enjoyed myself" she com
mented, as they parted.
The Rectory was very quiet when she
entered 1t, but a light issued from be-
meath the drawing room door.
Visitors again r. she thought, as she
stood with her hand on the handle. Then
her quick ear caught a familiar tone.
'1The professor, of all people! !" she ex-
claimed.
She gave a hasty glance at her rehec-
ton in the glass that faced the doorway
and went quickly into the room. She ex-
pected to find Moyra making friendly talk
with the reserved, silent professor, who
was held in awe even by the most auda-
cious of undergraduates but instead, to
her intense astonishment, almost openly
expressed, Bride was presiding over the
tea table, and Bride was talking easily
and freely to the visitor, who listened
with an indulgent smile on his dark face
and managed to appear very interested
over the news that Bride was giving him.
Wonders will never cease" Aileen
thought, as she looked from her future
husband to her sister, whose lovely face
was nglow with excitement. What q
beauty she is-our Bride! How do you
do, Professor" she said aloud, as he
started almost guiltily. 8 you have
really found your way to this benlghted
region? 7 am so sorry we were all out
except my sister. / hope she has looked
after you well!'
"Oh, yes-thanks! She has been most
kind"
Bride flushed a little and shrank into
herself. No longer obliged to rely upon
herself, she went back to her customary
attitude of dependence upon her sisters.
She gave up her seat to Aileen, and pres
emily, when Moyra entered, slipped quiet
" out of the room.
Moyra was agreeably surprised at the
sight Of Prof. Lewiston. Instead OF the
old gray-headed, untidy man she had
vaguely imagined was n certainly not
more than thirty-eight, with a clever
looking. dark face, kind, grave eyes, and
a black pointed beard and hair as short
as Terry's. Nor did he wear glasses ha-
bitually, as Aileen did, though they hung
ready for use. He was tall nd thin and
stopped a little, but he was no bookworm
in appearance.
..If Aileen takes him in hand and trims
him up, he will be quite g~oed-looking,'
Mcyra told herself, as she listened I'M
comprehendingly to the conversation that
was going on between master and pupil.
How clever and how very dull 1t vas
she thought, as Greek quotations slipped
dawlessly from Ailecn's lips, and the pro-
fessor waxed eloquent over disputed read
ings.
Dinner was a little later that evening
owing to Terry's and Angus late return
from a football match, and as Meyra
stood at the dining room window, waiting
for them, the postman arrived with some
letters, one for Angus with a foreign post
mark. She sent It up to his room and
forgot all about it until later In the even
ing, when his extreme ~quietness and pre-
occupied expression attracted her atten-
ton.
II was a dull evening. Conversation
at dinner was m~onopolfzed by the Rec
tor and professor, and afterwards, when
Mr.. Beresford had gone to a meeting, a
blanket Of dullness seemed to have settled
over every one. Only the professor and
Aileea seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Terry yawned openly and finally went
out, VIII e Bride vent to sleep witheut
any disguise. Moyra glanced at Angus,
and he met her gaze. He rosa and seated
himself beside her.
Hasn't it been a dull EVENING"" Moyra
said. '.Terry has gone to the big house."
..And Bride is asleep. which is a sad
comment on our general l~iveliness. Gard
playing and the easiness Of the school
room party have spoilt us for respectable
life tn the drawing room,' he said, a smile
tightening his face. II must acknowledge
chat two or three times I have felt in
clined to join the crew."
..vera Il here. But you haven't done
much to increase our hilarity," she add
I'd. with gentle reproach. II have been
wondering why you have locked 20 mis-
erable all the time"
He did not answer at once, and she
looked up i~nquiringly, to meet his eyes
fred upon her with an expression that
made the color rise In her face. She bow
id her head over her work again, not
knowing why she should feel SO foolish
and yet so pleased.
"I am afraid Angus said, IF I looked
miserable, 1t was because Iefeel SO. /
shall be obliged to go away tomorrow"
Moyra's hands dropped; she looked up
1t him astonished.
ii .ssGo away?' she echoed, and it was
happiness for him to hear the sorrow in
her tone. "Not-not to South America n
Not vet, although I must hold myself
In readiness for that, too. Tomorrow I
must 70 to London"-his brows contract
ing. my father is growing impatient
1t my laxiness and is loading me with
commissions in town. 1t is an unpleas-
ant business, too, and one I would in
hnitely rather leave alone, but needs mist
when the chief drives My father is an
exceedingly impatient man. I came to
England with a great task set me, one
that demands a great deal of care and in
wolves anxiety and trouble, vet every let
ter says, Have you lone what i wish,
and, alas, every letter says in return, I
have not !"
II am afraid You are very dilatory.''
MoyrA said. He had certainly done moth
in9 while he had been with them. "Have
ron ever begun to do what your father
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