The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-02-11
CHAPTER xxxi.-fcontinued.,

were content enough. They knew nc
better; neve dreamed Of aught high
er or nobler. But to her had come q
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
seen 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
the mistress ola West-end mansion
with motor carr galore.
But would these things take the
ache out of her heart, remove the con-
seriousness of something missed, re-
store to her that u~ndefinable, 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 was still youthful In appear-
ance, rather good looking on 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. 1t was dishonest to
the man in the first place. For a
woman to marry a man she did not
love was to infict on him a grievous
wrong.
But what Of the woman who would
sell herself? What word in the Eng
lish 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. Il meant
to have done so. In fact, but somehow
| 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,"
II did, honestly. You blame me, no
doubt. for not speaking to you and
all that, but l could not help myself,
and | said | would give her plenty of
to think the matter over"
"Yes?"
well, when l got away from here
l felt I couldn't go back to London
without knowing my fate. I've been a
day or two at Falmouth. and now here
l am again. Has she said anything
to your"
mot a word"
do you approve-that is. do you OBJ
ject to me?" he questioned, in a tone
of distress.
Not In the least. In fact, I may
say l admire you very much. You
have been a good friend to my son.
and"
And | will be a better friend to him
If only Esther will say YES" he in
%terrupted. Il tell you l can be the
making of Clement II I like"
81 have no doubt you can"
"But it is Esther l am concerned
about. She does not seem-well, she
does not seem very ambitious. This
old place could be made a dream"
IL think Esther will be all right"
Mrs. Mawgan replied, quietly. "She
is a sensible girl, and not given to
wearing her heart on her sleeve. l
will go and call her."
81 should be so much obliged II you
would, for really I never thought
should get so impatient over any
thing"
Il don't think your patience will be
much longer taxed" she said. with an
encouraging smile. and turned and
left the room.
Mrs. Mawgan found Esther in the
library, and informed her. in a mys-
terious tone, that she was wanted in
the drawing room.
who wants me?" Esther ques-
toned, looking up from a book.
"Don't be impatient; go and see for
yourself"
Instantly she thought of Tom Gray
ton. Could 1t be possible that he had
paid her a surprise visit? 1t was just
possible, Of course. His love might
have brought him back.
The blood rushed In a torrent to
her neck and face, and she put the
book slowly back into its place. SO
that she might o herself. She
walked out OF the room almost like
n in a dream: her heart was beat
ing at fever speed; her breath came
and went in little gasps.
For a moment she paused with her
hand on the door handle, her thoughts
full of Tom GRAFTON; then she pushed
the door open and entered She near.