The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1909-08-06

surprise IT his unlikeness tn her husband.
OF slight build and understood. dark. too,
he was not at all her idea Of what one OF
the family would look like. although On
the pale. eiean-shaveA face she could trace
characteristics that showed that he and
James Stewart were cousins.
Flora's Introduction was xtif and for
NAL TO q degree, but Norman Stewart put
an unexpected warmth into his greeting.
"Nexf 10 seeing dear old .Jem himself" he
said. as he held her hand. lis meeting his
wife and seeing how lucky he has BEEN
And a glance helped 10 point the compli-
tasent. 'Old travellers learn 70 take glow
Ing accoun with carlton. bat I can say.
with the Queen Of Sheba. the hast Of 1t
has not been told mr."
MAfhiide could not but laugh and flush
a bit az she withdrew her hand.
Please, don't make rse shy" she said.
MY husband sbouid have been here to
welcome yon. He told me that he world
be sure to be back before you ca me. All !.
here he is.- she broke of, as Stewart APP
Tcared In the doorway, muddy and dilapi-
dated. The mutual greeting was quiet.
"Hnllo. Norman: got here first:' and
Glad 10 sec you back. Jem.r
MathiIde. watching the long hanishake.
wondered bow much sincenity IL conveyed.
Someone else. too, was watching Ii keenls.
Tor she caught Miss Fearon's strained
gaze, fixed on the two, In a nervous fash
ion
Then came tea and the business of
handing the cups, and at least a surface
air or cheeriness to those who bad come
In from the outside cold and darkness tn
the freside comfort.
That evening. and nearly every other
after 1t. the dinner party consisted OF
three couples. apparently quite content
with each other. for the parson was in
vited nearly every night for the obvious
reason Of making mp an even number.
The local resources at Orkwell were not
large, and the family mourning still fur
ther cnrfaiied them.
TX had been to Mafhilde's mingled dis
appointment and relief that Stewart had
made no attempt at a few quiet words
before dinner. and she went down by her
self with a snilen resentment burning a,
her heart.
In her present humor the newcomers
talk wal a welcome distraction. and 1t
was 4 relief 10 make such answers to the
semi-patronizing queries as 10 the voyage
and such, with which he began the con
versation.
And 70 ron spen. Christmas Day nj
seal How very strong minded and sensi.
BILE In you !" Norman said. Ii was begin.
ming TO dawn upon him that Mathilde
was not a lady whom it was wise at pat
ronixe.
I'm not al all sure she returned.
THAT We we're either strong minded or
sensible. Even III sea one doesn't seem 10
escape the contagious sentiment OF the
day. Solitary confinement would be the
only way to avoid doing or saying PM
thing that one would afterwards regret
II should think that on board ship the
opportunities OF getting into mischief
we're limited" he suggested.
His large experience OF charming mar.
ried ladies made him quick to see that her
words were meant for her husbands ear.
and he was beginning to eRjoy the play.
AOh, no. they are only concentrated
Stewart looked steadily across at her.
Arr you going to confess to having gam
bled away . private heard at pokers' he
asked.
She looked back at him as steadily.
You must agree that / had not much
luck In my ventures"
I'm not 70 sure Of that" be answered
carelessly and the words seemed TO her
such q taunt On the material benefits that
she had taken from him, that q deep.
painful flush burned her face.
Norman. feeling the atmosphere too
electric. interposed. "One should never
spend Christmas In England. Paris or
Nice ara the only civilized places"
.Yes, Paris isn't bad" she answered
absentIy, her thoughts going back 10 . red
sunset on Christmas Eve over the Luz
embourg gardens.
You know Parish" be asked in sur
prise. X thought
.You thought that I had never been out
Of the b~ackwoods," she laughed. She had
recovered her ~self-control, and was walk
ing wafily now. what should you SAY
IL you knew that / have been an art stu
dent in Parish"
She had now without any doubt at
tracted the attention Of the whole table
but with . quick glance towards Stew
m. she knew that be approved Of the way
In which she was playing her cards.
While the others listened, Norman an
swered. with all due Difference to your
veracity, / should say that l have seen
art students In Paris. and that l cannot
imagine sou among their ranks"
The poor students!' she laughed. but
perhaps / had o time to acquire the
griminess of the type"
You certainly had not" be agreed,
with conviction. MAY I ask how long
your studies lasted!" and be looked at
her keenly-
II worked there one winter" she an
swered. and again she saw in her hus-
bands face that she had answered right.
IAN art sfudent!" Norman scoffed.
-You had finishing lessons for . winter.
Was not that hy
""The same thing with q different
name" she agreed: and then Nellie broke
in:
How naughty in you never to tell us
that you were an artist! 1 am sure that
you must have lovely nicturcs If ,ha