The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-02-12
CHAPTER xxxI.-(Continued.)

better; never dreamed of aught high
er or nobler. But to her had come a
vision Of what life might be. She had
looked for a moment through the
gates of Paradise, and been touched
by the sublimity of the perfect life.
And could she forget what she had
seer and felt? And if not, how could
she ever be content? She might see
Mawgan Chase restored to it's ancient
glory, her mother doing the grand
lady in London drawing rooms, her
brother expanding in the sunshine of
commercial prosperity, and herself
J with motor cars galore.
But would these things. take the
ache out of her heart, remove the con-
seriousness Of something missed, re-
store to her that undefinable, impal-
pable something she had lost?
She had nothing against Mr.. Jack
son. He seemed a perfectly straight
forward, honorable man. He was
twenty years her senior, it was true,
but he vas still youthful in appear
ance, rather good looking or the
whole, and in the prime Of life.
From nearly every point of view it
ought not to be a difficult thing to
marry him, providing she told him
frankly that she did not love him.
If he were willing to take her on
those terms, ought she not to be will
ing to put aside her scruples and close
with the offer?
And again her whole womanhood
rose up in revolt. It was dishonest to
the man in the first place. For a
woman to marry a mar she did not
love was to inflict on him a g~rievous
| wrong.
But what Of the woman who would
sell herself? What word in the Eng
fish language would describe her?
She felt her cheeks growing hot in
the darkness. The very thought of it
seemed to leave a stain behind.
When the light of a new day stole
into her bedroom she was still awake,
but her mind was at rest. She knew
| what answer she would give to Mr..
| Jackson when he called again.
Three days later Mr.. Jackson turned
up quite Unexpectedly. He explained
matters to Mrs. Mawgan at once, and
In his most direct style.
II ought to have told you last week.
he said, in a penitent tone. II meant
to have done SO. in fact, but somehow
I didn't get the opportunity. But !
may say I fell in love with your
daughter almost the first time I~saw
her, and last Friday I told her SO and
asked her to be my wife,"
You did,"
Il did, honestly. You blame me, nc
doubt. for not speaking to you and
all that, but l could not help myself
and l said I would give her plenty OF
time to think the matter over"
"Yes?"
well when I got away from here
felt couldn't go back to Londor
without knowing my fate. I've been
day or two at Falmouth, and now here
am again. Has she said anything
to you?"
mot a word.v
do you approve-that is, do you oh
ject to me?" he questioned, in a tone
Of distress.
Not In the least. In fact, l ma!
say l admire you very much. Yo,
have been a good friend to my son
and"
And I will be a better friend to hin
If only Esther will say yes" he III
terrupted. Il tell you l can be tn
making of Clement II I like"
Il have. no doubt you can"
But it is Esther l am c%oncerne'
about. She does not seem-well, sh
does not seem very ambitious. Thi
old place could be made a dream"
Il think Esther will be all right,
Mrs. Mawgan replied, quietly. Ssh
is a sensible girl, and not given t
wearing her heart on her sleeve.
will go and call her."
II should be so much obliged IL 20
would. for really l thought
should get SO impatient over any
thing"
II don't think your patience will b
much longer taxed" she said, with a
encouraging smile, and turned an
left the room.
Mrs. Mawgan found Esther in tn
library, and informed her, in a my!
terious tone, that she vas wanted
the drawing room.
who wants me"" Esther Que'
toned, looking up from a book.
Don't be impatient; 60 and see fo
yourself"
Instantly she thought Of Tom Ora.
ton. Could it be possible that he ha
paid her a surprise visit? 1t was jus
possible, Of course. His love Nigh
have brought him back.
The blood rushed in a torrent
her neck and face, and she put tn
book slowly back into its place, s
that she might o herself. Sh
walked out of the room almost lik
one in a dream; her heart was bea
ing at fever speed; her breath cam
and went in little gasps.
For a moment she paused with he