The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-01-08

cate. Il might he the echo Of ham.
mering in Joey Buddle's workshop.
But when the knock was repeated he
gave a little start, and answered in
a confused kind of way:
Eyes? What is it? Come in!"
A moment later the old-fashioned
iron latch was lifted and the door
pushed slowly open. He watched
with a peculiar and wondering inter
est-then suddenly his face broke in
to a smile.
Il could not help coming to see you."
a sweet voice spoke to him. Mrs.
Tamblyn said | might come up if I'd
promise not to make a noise; and
here | am. You're awfully surprised
to see me, l expect and the color
on her cheeks deepened considerably.
i've not got quite used yet to all your
straight and narrow ways, so you'll
forgive me, I'm sure. I've wanted to
see you every day for the last week,
yet had not the courage, but tomor-
row I'm going away. Mr.. Bice says
it's necessary, and SO if | didn't come
today, why, l shouldn't have another
chance; and really, after all that has
happened and all you have suffered on
my account, it would be unpardona-
BILE, wouldn't it? l know you think
so yourself, though, perhaps, you may
not like to say it,"
She came to a full stop at length,
partly from want of breath and partly
because her confusion got the better
of her. She quickly recovered her
self, however, and when she saw that
Grayton showed no sign of displeas-
ure, but that his smile kept broaden
ing all the time, she broke into a mer-
ry little laugh.
It's delightful of you to come" he
said, with sparkling eyes. It's the
best thing that has happened to me
for the last fortnight. l knew, of
course, you were at the Chase"
ELSE you would not have remem
bered me-" she chimed in. merrily.
II might have been puzzled for a
moment" he answered, in his straight,
truthful fashion. but only for a mo-
ment. Yours is a face not to be for
gotten easily
(Which, let me say, is a very doubt.
full compliment" she replied, laughing.
Il did not mean it to be doubtful,
or, indeed, a compliment at ALL he
answered, in the same tone. Just a
simple statement of fact, that's all,
though could be very complimentary
and still keep to the truth"
"Oh, how serious you Englishmen
are!" she went on, in the same gay
tone. ''Mr. Mawgan ought to be a
judge or a bishop, don't you think so?"
and the color deepened over her neck
and face again.
And what ought | to be- he ques-
toned, laughing.
"Oh, you will be a bishop some day.
no doubt. But really | didn't come to
say this"
MOP"
I'm quite serious now. You've been
an awfully good friend to me, and l
can't tell you how much I've worried
that you SO nearly lost your life over
the affair.""
"Oh, that was a mere accident and
must not be taken into the account"
he said, gravely.
1T may be quite true that you did
not realize the danger you ran, but
that does no render my sense of obi
CATION any the less. / wish l knew
how l could repay you in some"
"Oh, DON'T" he interrupted. Your
visit is delightful. It's like sunshine
in spring. but don't spoil it by talking
about debts and obligations"
But If yoa feel a thing very much
you are bound to talk about it. At
least, that is the case with me. You
~Englishmen seem so reticent and self
contained, and yet l admire you inn
mensely. l wouldn't be an American
man for the world; but if l had my
choice I'd like to be an Englishman."
He laughed till his eyes filled.
Have you forgotten Nevins, or Ev-
ans?" he questioned.
"Oh, he was a Taffy, Mr.. Bice says.
Not that l know exactly what that
| means. And then, after all, he was
very plucky, and he seems to have
died game"
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