Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-01-29

she would not willingly have divulged TO
his amusement, and she had good reason t.
fancy herself successful, when she hear'
the short chuckle with which he now ant
then interrupted her narratives.
When the evening had worn itself away
when Una had suppressed n dozen ya"ns
and Lucilla had exhausted all her funt
Of amusing narrative and repartee, TIT
butler came in to say that Robert, iron
the Cottage, had come for Miss We're.
Lucilla flushed angrily at the thought
Of the boy having been sent to walk VIII
her.
why did you send lHobcrt for me
Athol?" she began, as soon as ne nae
opened the door to her.
Mother was too poorly for me TO ven,
ture to leave her, and, of course, woulc
not send a girl like Sarah in the dark
ness walking to Kumley. Lucy. did you
know there was no brandy In the house
I wish you would see to these things In
the morning, when you say you are about
your housek eepins. This sort of thing oc-
ours SO often, and might have such seri'
GUS consequences. Mother had one OF her
bad attacks, and you know there Is no
house near her to which | could send in
a hurry"
Poor fellow what did you do?' asked
Lucilla, sitting a yawn, as she took up
her candle, YOU must keep a horse,
then. you won't be bothered ">@-
But to that question, like the other,
Lucilla waited for no answe She swept
up the stairs and entered her mothers
room, approaching her bed softly though
she had to do battle with another yawn
while she kissed her. " La
better are you, pothcr?-that's right.
Mind YOU get a good nights sleep. Yes,
I've enjoyed myself, thank you Kind?
Oh, yes; they were very kind. I do
believe. mother. hat my old godfather
really means to leave me rich he hints
it always. Won't it be nice for US to be
rich?'
For you, dear. and Athol. 1t Is a
happy thought for me that you may be
So" Al
ooh, all of US, I mean. Una had of
such a lovely silk, mamma, of the very
palest blus" .
THAT would suit her fair hair and
delicate skin. Lucy, I've been thinking
that that puce silk of mine, with altera-
tions, would make you a beautiful
Don't talk any more, mother; you look
quite faint. Where's Athol?"
Athol entered the room almost as she
spoke. "I'm going to sit here for an hour
or two" he said. "If mother does not
sleep, I will mix her a draught. You go
to bed, Lucy: you are tired, I'm sure"
"Very. Goodnight"
But before she reached her own room
she turned aside and paid a visit to the
old wardrobe, in which lay her mothers
puce silk. She drew it from its hiding
place and examined it critically, then put
it back with a sigh.
1T might do, and look very well but
it would take a lot of money to rave 1t
properly remade and trimmed, and I fear
Athol Won't give 1t me. I must try him."
Sitting before her glass. she studied
her face intently for a time. This was al
ways a custom of hers before she began
to undrcss, and was performed in much
the same spirit as that in which old Dig
by Searle went through his banking ac-
counts in the solitude of his grim old lib
rary or Horton Newley, in his own room
in the west wing ut Hohve, sat down |
most nights to look his chances in the |
face.
Il don't look twenty-nine,' she unused
Il never look my age when I'm properly |
dressed. 1 shouldn't a bit mind ever
doing SO if I were married. Why does a
married woman seem so young at thirty,
and a single one so old?' she had taken
off the high transparent body, and laid
bare the powder on her neck and arms.
What credit is there in doing nothing to
help your appearance If you are such a
girl as Una Gaveston? What credit for |
such as she?"
And in that unanswerins question lies
-Ls1I = hood o-l .--- " |
ever vain and selfish. While Lucilla calm
ly slept and dreamed Of possible con-
quests, the night light burned dismaly |
as night lights will, In her mothers room, |
trying to stretch it's small pale light to |
Athols face. 1t had no need to try to |
rouse him; he was alert and watchful |
enough, and presently he rose and mixed
the sleeping draught.
1T will be better to take it, mother"
he said, as he brought it to her. "A
nights rest will do you untold good"
"Then you will so to rest yourself,
DEAR" she whispered. I'm glad you let
Lucy 60 to bed she was tired, and you
are stronger, though younger. Take care
Of Lucy always; but you always will, I
know. Let me have another kiss before
I sleep. I love you so, my child-as no
one else can love you, Athol. Tell me
that you are sure of this, and that the
love Of no one else will ever be SO dear
to you"
1.-THE love of no one else will ever be
tho same-not ever" he answered and
the fragile light could not reach his face.
there within the curtains, to show its pal
lor.
mot ever" she echoed, gently satisfied,
though I hope you will marry dear-and
SOON"
mot soon,' he answered. trying to
speak brightly, as he held the glass to
her lips but I will marry, mother, if
IL I can"
That's right. Now I will drink it,
and Sleep"
And she did sleep, calmly and peaceful
ly; while Athol sat before the fire which
he himself had lighted in her room, hard
" moving through the night. though at
heart he vas restless and i'll at ease.
Mrs. We're never left her bed again,
though she fingered many weeks, and
through this time Athol always fognd
time to sit with her and cheer her when
she longed for him: and always ready to
sit up with her at night, however busy
his day had been, while he always brought
bright, loving words and smiles to her
bedside, however heavily his heart might
be oppressed, and however wearing his
days work might have been.
Even Lucilla did not go often from