Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-01-31
A L VILLAIN.
CHAPTER XVII.
BY VIOLET M. Finn.

CHAPTER XVII.
A heavy fall of rain that night and all
the following day put an END to the
skating and made it impossible for any
one to stir out of doors. AT first the
change was welcomed by every one. A
message was sent for Vera, who went
across swathed in a macintosh, and Lulu
announced her intention of putting her
dolls house tidy. Aileen settled herself
to read some new essays on the Greek
dramatists that had been waiting her pc
rusal since Christmas, Moyra gave her.
self up to the unwonted luxury of a
mornings reading. and Bride seemed en-
crossed in some needlework.
The morning passed very happily and
easily, but the afternoon dragged. Aileen
saw that Bride was growing restless, her
gaze travelled often to the heavy clouds,
and after each survey she heard the girl
give a weary little sigh as II the prospect
had disappointed her. Aileen suspected
that the unexpected rain had interfered
with some arrangement. Yet, angry as
she was, she could not but be sorry for
the girl, who started %nervously with
Frightening face and eager yes at each
sound she heard.
There was a footstep on the gravel /;
the door bell rang. The color flooded
Brides face and her hands shook. Prof.
Lewiston was announced. For PHYS sake
Aileen forbore to look at her younger
sister as they welcomed the newcomer.
Terry welcomed the professor with un-
usual cordiality.
1--WE are having a little too much of
each other" he said. Bride has nearly
yawned her head off, haven't you, old
galY"-rufiing her hair the wrong way
as q mark of brotherly affection. what
have you done with yourself all day?'
II have read, I have thought" the pro-
fessor answered, with a somewhat pa
thetic smile. II grew very tired of my
own company and my thoughts, SO ven
tured to come here"
II am very glad you did" Moyra said,
and Lulu, who had left the dolls house
even worse than she had found it, drew
near and inquired what he had been
thinking about.
Moyra would have checked her, but the
professor did not resent the question. He
lifted Lulu on to his knee.
"They were not very happy thoughts,
Lulu. You will never have to think them,
because all your life so far has been
spent amidst happiness and affection. To-
day happens to be my birthday, and one
generally looks back on such anniver-
%saries, and the pages are not always
pleasant reading.p
MY birthday is in the summer I shall
soon be seven," said Lulu, who did not
care about "reminiscences. "How old are
you" 81.
Lulu !" Moyra. and Aileen exclaimed;
but Lewiston only smiled g~ravely, as If
the question amused him.
Thirty years older than you, Lulu
quite an old man, am / not?"
II don't think So" she answered re-
1lectively, looking at him critically.
"You're not SO old as father but ! think
you're older thar Billy or Angus. I'm 80
~dreadfully bored being in the house all
day she announced. 1.Tell me about
when you were a little boy; when you
were as old as i m? r"
The request evidently pleased, though
Aileen smiled a little at the spectacle of
the great Cambridge professor rackingshis
brains for the pleasure Of a little child.
It was plain he was making the best of
his early life as she questioned him, but
1t was not a very lively story. He had
no recollection of his parents, he had lived
with relations who were not very kind,
he said simply, until he was old enough
to 60 to school, and 50, by dint of hard
work, to the university.
II don't think it was very amusing y.
Lulu said impatiently, and he laughed
sadly.
mo, it was far from amusing, Lulu,
but it seems to me. that It Is only now
when I am growing old and tired that I
am realizing that I have missed every
thing that made life worth the living.
''Except fame" Aileen said. Surely
you have pleasure in your great fame? ~
He smiled rather bitterly.
TT is an empty glory, Miss Aileen. It
Is good to have fame IL one deserves It,
but one needs more than that" His eyes
rested for a second on Bride, sitting In
her favorite attitude. Fame gives you
satisfaction in your youth, and It In
creases you obituary notice by a line or
two. But it alone cannot make one
tear fall for YOU, or bring one sigh for
you. or make you linger in the memoir
Of those, who have no affection for you.
It ID a laurel leaf that fades quicker than
anything else" !
There was a little pause then Moyra
raid, her voice trembling . little: Z
ssThere is only one thing that lasts
from youth to age, and IL it Il worthily
bestowed it increases sevenfold every
year, and that Is love-"
"And you, duckie," said Terry. with 4
boyiah hug, "are the embodiment Of Il.
You're just Z bundle OF love-"
In the laugh that followed no one
heard the door bell ring, and there was
consequently a little commotion when
Hammond announced:
"Mr. Charters and Mr.. Fenton..~
1--WE met on the doorstep" Bertram
said, advancing frst into the circle of
the freight. How nice and coey you
all look! What have you been doine7
Telling tales in the gIoaming"
Talking philosophy Terry answered.
~Sit down, you Fellows, and prepare
yourselves to stay for the evening. Moyra,
| dear, let us have much buttercd toast ana
new bread for tea"
With the advent of tea came the Rec
tor, the twins, and Vera, the three latter
very cold nj hungry after their exer-
lions at Gerry's bench. They were max
Ing q cabinet for a collection OF birds
eggs. inc the girls begged that the lamps
might not be lit they were ashamed to
let their untidiness be seen.
1t was a very lively tea, and Moyra,
seeing that Bertram was combining him
self almost entirely to Aileen and Vera,
laughed and was happy with the rest.
/ When rho 1nSf nf tho tca&cotos ard h,,t.