Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-03-04

matter than most people. He was al
most shocked occasionally at the cold
calculating, mercenary way people
talked about marriage. Taking a
| wife might be no more serious than
engaging a housekeeper or hiring a
cook. He came to the conclusion that
the people who talked SO fippantly
had never really loved-pcrhaps were
incapable of loving.
A month after his mothers depart
ure he was sitting down one evening
to his solitary dinner, when the door
/ was thrown suddenly open and Esther
came flying into the room.
Esther" he exclaimed, springing
to his feet" Why, this is surprised"
You expected I should go straight
home to Cornwall, Ell? Well, | decid-
ed to come the longest way around.
| Besides, Marion insisted that I should
see her as far Euston." And then she
kissed him--kissed him several times
in fact.
81 am glad to see YOU" he said en-
Enthusiastically, and you are looking
we'll"
Il am WE'LL she replied; ain fact,
never felt better in my life"
And you have enjoyed your vsit?"
eyes and no. I'm glad I've been,
but | don't want to go again Neither
does Marion. The delays have been
atrocious. However, alls well that
ends well, they say. She has succeed
ed in getting her own
THAT is WE'LL"
81 don't know She might be much
happier with less. Too much money
may be n greater curse than too lit
tie"
"And is she going to live with Lord
Fowey?"
For the present at any rate She
will be paying guest Think of it,"
i don't suppose he will object to
having little of her money. He has
a very big family, and is none too
rich by all accounts. Do you know
what has become of Lord Richard?'
He has gone to India-got an ap-
pointment of some kind. Marion is
delighted. She took a violent obiec-
ton to him the first time she saw
him. Do you know, she believes
Then she stopped suddenly and look
ed around apprehensively round the
room.
believes what?" he questioned.
THAT he and Nevins were in
league. don't say word. But if
Lord Richard had got hold of the
silver box, where would Marion have
been?"
He smiled curious, dry smile
$50 she has seen through the plot,
has she? I quite expected she would"
But there no absolute proof, is
there?"
Il am not sure. Bice might say
great deal if he felt SO disposed"
''Mr. Bice will say nothing But
how goes the business?'
Very well indeed; much better
than we ever anticipated"
You look as if you are working
yourself into the grave"
Il don't think l am doing that,
though I do feel little tagged &C.
casionally"
For moment there was pause.
Then she said. suddenly: Can you
put me up for the night?'
"Of course l can. For week if
you like. The room mother had is
still unoccupied. Mrs. Taft will get
it ready at once"
That's splendid! Do you know, I
don't feel a bit of hurry to 20
home"
you don't? How's that?
Ones interest gets scattered, I
suppose" she answered, slowly and
reflectively You see home is not
just-just all that it used to be. You
are gone, and Marion lives here, and
-and-oh, what do you think, Glenn"
"Think?"
Il mean, whom do you think saw
in Liverpool?"
Haven't the least idea"
"He was the first man I saw when
l landed. He had been waiting there
three hours and hours for the boat
to come in. Wasn't it lovely of him?"
(To Be Continued.)