Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-02-11
CHAPTER xxxl.-fcontinued.,

4 ' r. 81
ersor nobler. But to her had come 6
vision Of what life might be. She hat
/, looked for a moment through the
gates Of Paradise, and been, touched
! by the sublimity Of the perfect life.
And could she forget what she had
seen and felt? And If not, how. could
she ever be content? She might see
MaWgan Chase restored to its ancient
glory, her mother doing the grand
lady in London drawing rooms her
brother expanding in the sunshine of
commercial prosperity, and herself
the mistress ola West-end mansion
with motor cars galore.
But would these things take the
ache out OF her heart, remove the con-
seriousness of something missed, re-
store to her that undef1nable, impal-
pable something she had lost?
She had nothing against Mr.. Jack
son. He seemed perfectly straight
forward, honorable man. He was
twenty years her senior, it was true,
but he was still youthful in appear
ance,, rather good looking on the
whole, and in the prime of life.
From nearly every point of view it
ought not to be difficult thing to
marry him, providing she told him
frankly that she did not love him.
If he were willing to take her on
those terms, ought she not to be will
ing to. put aside her scruples and close
with the offer? 4
And again her whole womanhood
rose up in revolt. 1t was dishonest to
the man in the first place. For a
woman to marry a man She did NOT
love was to infict on him a grieyous
wrong. 2'if stt ,fat = so
But what of the woman who would
sell herself? What word in the Eng.
lish language would describe her?
She felt her cbeaks grow;no hot ~
the darkness. The very thought Of it
seemed to leave a stain behind
When. the light of a new day stole
Into her bedroom she was still awake
but her mind was at rest. She knew
what answer she wouls give to Mr.
jackson when he called again
Three days later Mr.. ackson turned
up quite unexpectedly. He explained
matters to Mrs. Mawpan at once and
in his most direct style,
Il ought to have told YOU last week"
he said, in a penitent tone. az meant
to have done so IN fact hn+ somahon,
T. didn't get the opportunity Rut
may say fell in love with your
daughter almost the first time saw
her. and last Friday | told her so and
asked her to be nv wife"
You did,"
Il did, honestly. You blame me. no
doubt. for not speaking to Won and
all that, but could not HELM myself
and said would give her plenty Of
time to think the matter over,
!: "Yes?"
t"Well, when I got away from here
/ felt couldn't 60 back to London
without knowing nv fate. I'VE been a
day or two at Falmouth and now here
1 am again. Has she said ANYTHING
to you?o
4 "Not a4word" -
! ''Do you tapprove-that Is. do Won oh
ject to me?" he questioned. In a tone
of distress. s.
"Not in the least. In fact. T NAV
say admire YOU yery much. You
have been a good friend to NV son
and, st.
8 rAnd / win be d better friend 10 him
IL only Esther. will saw, .yes.,. he in
terrupted. Il tell YOU can be the
making Of Clement If II like. SRI.
ri have no doubt Won can
"But it is Esther I am concerned
about. She does not seem--well. she
does not seem ye =. ambitious. This
old place could be made IA dream.
! ri think Esther WIN he all right !.
Mrs. dawgan replied quietly. ashe
is a sensible girl. and not given to
wearing her heart on her sleeve, /
win 100 and calf her. t.s, 10 f,itsi d,
q should he 50 much obliged II vo,,
would for SreallvsilT never thought i
should get SO impatient over \! any
thinrs. 81
81 don't think vo,,r. natienc 90 will he
much longer taYed , abe said with an
rncnnraeinp smile and turned ana