Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-01-29
Hidden
Perils
By MARY CECIL HAY
CHAPTER uI.=(Continued.)
+~%*<*%$@%

tempted to try a start in some frcsl
place, feeling how rue it Is that
prophet is without honor In his owl
country But his mothers clinging low
for the old home always kept him there
and he would again make up his mind
such a hard thing to do when much ant
varied advice is offered and love and In
terest pull different ways-to work on a.
steadily and hopefully as he could, build
Ing his hope on the homely proverb, Goo
helps those who help themselves
If he had had warm and sympathizini
hearts about him in his home this woult
have been far easier; but it was not 80
! His mother. gentle and loving though she
was, fretted a good deal in her quiet pa
tent manner for the l~uxuries which hat
been within her reach until the last few
years, and doubly regretted them fo' hel
daughter. 81. -,
"There are so many things to which
Lucilla has been accustomed. and which
she must miss sorely now" she would say
II nave always feared I should not rear
her / fear it doubly now"
At this AthoI would smile, for there
was not any pressing cause of fear In
that direction, and he would say, In his
pleasant way, that Lucilla always looked
well. But he felt tho stab, nevertheless
as kcenly as If he had resented it. Then
Lpcilla's own grievance would start up.
"Athol, II you had any spirit you would
take a handsome, imposing house and set
up your carriage. If we all went about
as If we were grand and rich, you would
soon nave a crowd of patients besieging
your door"
-Or a crowd Of duns,' Athol would
answer, smiling. mo, let us pay our
way rs we go, whatever we do, or we
shall never know where our difficulties
stop"
That's intended as a hint for me, I
know" she would answer, carelessly, be
cause I have a few necessary bills. I
wonder who could help that, having as
little money as l have"
Are you in debt now, Lucy? Would
you like a little money"
II should like a little money" would
be the light answer to the earnest ques-
tion but of course I must be In debt"
And this was ar old story now, and
Lucilla never thought where it might end.
II think, Athol," his mother would
sny, with a rather doubtful thoughtful
ness, you must marry a married doctor
always succeeds better than a single one,
and we could all live here together. I
could not lenve the cottage now, nor part
from you, DEAR"
She was looking into his thoughtful,
delicate face. and involuntarily a wish
rose to her lips.
''Ah. my dear, l would give anything
II you were as healthy and strong look
in. as Rourke Trenham."
Athol rose with a laugh that hid all
"You might just as we'll wish
] were as rich, and ns-as free from care,
ny mother !"
And, short-sighted in her love, she
wished that, too:
Just as Athol rose from his seat and
turned with his back to the fire, his Sis
ter entered the room. We have said
Tint I.ucilla We're was nearly thirty, but
did not look that by Ave or ak
years, when she came In then, dressed to
dine at the Priory.
Whether she would look five or six
years older in the morning, when the
false color was gone, and the .pitiless day
light laid bare all trickery, need not be
proved. Lucilla looked, as she herself
called 1t, effective" Her transparent
dress was made and trimmed, not
following blindly the fashion Of the day,
but just as It should best show Oh to
her figure and complexion
anil in this Lucilla betrayed her skill in
the very primary branch Of a woman's
toilet. But when that IL said wa can add
more wa can only remember in her
favor that she felt her youth going from
her, and was anxious to use every power
Shc possessed to hold 1t back. Perhaps II
she had let 1t 60, and followed it with
bright and modest steps, her face might
have been ever more than pleasant to look
upon but it was far less SO now by
reason of the effort she made to hang
out still the ensigns of her lost youth,
and by reason too of the hunger within
ller eyes for something which life had
given her.
Just then the tea was brought in, and
poured herself out a cup as she
stood-it would never have done to crease
the dress before starting.
Now, Athol, you must preside, and
help yourself and mamma" she said, as
she finished. I'm sorry not to have had
time to do it. I hope You Won't want
anything while Sarah is walking with
me. l will send her quickly back. Good
by"
Mrs. vere's eyes proudly followed her
daughters receding form.
"Athol,', she said, simply, when they
were alone, what a nice thing it would
be if Howard Gaveston should take a
fancy 70 lucy! She would make a suit
able mistress for Rupert's Rest. Una Is
sure to marry and then he will want a
lady in his house. :. Z
MIR. Gayeston has a daughter besides
Una,'' said Athol. as he began to butter
his mothers toast. too ~listless or too
tired. apparently. to enjoy the meal now
1t was before him.
Yes, but I do not fancy she will ever
live ut home. He seems to have a dis
like to the child.'
"Or 1t serve his purpose to keep her
ct Hampton House until his sister dies,
and her wilkSfa read
II fenr shells not happy there, Athol."
But Athol was cutting the toast. and
perhaps did not hear this question.
You will read to me after tea, won't
ron, deary.. she asked. when he had
brought her tea to the little table beside
her chair. II wish Sarah could have
stayed ut home to wait on you," she, add
ed, when he had answered her "I'm sure
you ought to have had something cooked
for your tea, to be warm and comforta-
bic after your days work but then Lucy
could not go alone, of course
"AA right, mother. I have had all I
-..als rNc1l we x,yhnr x,o, oro ready