The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1913-12-26

plain spoken letter through
twice. The tone Of it struck
his ears, long unfamiliar with
the world Of fashion, d~iscordantly.
His ward was to go to London and
stand in the matrimonial market with
other girls. saying: Behold me: I am
rich, beautiful, young, Of gentle birth.
I will take a coronet in exchange for
myself" Yet the letter was honest;
also. the invitation was n which
ought not to be lightly refused. 1t was
right that the girl should 60 to Eng
land. It was part Of her education.
She ought, as Mrs. Hallowes suggest
ed, to make the acquaintance of her
own people. She ought to go while yet
young, with her affections free. And
at this point he said with a sigh,
Poor Toni" and read the letter again,
evidently the letter of a woman Of So
ciety, of the world, and probably a
woman who would make social capital
out OF her rich young heiress. Yet,
what harm would that do Virginie?
At this point he folded the letter and
raised his eyes. A singular pantomime
was going on.
First. his OWL wife took a letter from
Nine. Terriers hands and read it.
Then both ladies and Nirginie gaZed
upon each other in a kind of stupor.
Then Nine. Ferrier held out her arms,
and the girl fell into lser maternal EN-
brace.
"ChiId,' murmured the mother, can
| let YOU go: SO soon, so soon.'
"Sybille,' said her friend, speaking
the language of her youth. I'VE must
let her go. 1t is for the child's own
good. We are two simple creole la
dies, who have never left the island
and never shall. But Virginie has Eng
lish cousins. She must visit her ia
Tiers country. She should learn to
love his home. .'irginie. child Of my
heart, what sayest thou:"
What can I say::' she replied. "Oh,
what can l say"
1T was thy fathers wish, my DEAR
her mother went on. He spoke con-
tinually Of taking thee to England
when thou vast grown up"
1T is l." said her guardian, who
should have thought Of it. My dear,
the time has passed so swiftly that l
forgot you We're grown up. l ought to
have remembered that it was due to
o that you should 20 home for
awhile-for awhile he repeated. I'VE
must let YOU CO. He took her hands
and bent. over her with his kindly
smile. I'VE cannot bear to part with
you. my dear: but, if your mother con-
sents, we must let you 60. May l see
those letters:'
One OF them was from Mrs. Hallowes
to Nine. Terrier, conveying to her the
same invitation as she had made to
Captain kemyss. but in different terms,
for she said nothing about society or
matrimonial projects and ambitions.
but dwelt upon the advantage to the
young lady of seeing England and
spoke of her W as Il quiet home
among a circle of quiet friends. and
she also dwclt upon the advantages to
be derived in the way Of music. art,
etc.
C'C US Nv. jn'lceu. tIouNut Tue
squire. "a woman of the world
The other letter was from Nirginie's
second cousin. Maude. daughter of
Lord Ferrier and sister Of the man on
the veranda who was Scowling Over
his letters. 1t was Il very short letter
but kindly. She wrote:
Dear Cousin learn from Mrs. Hal
ry,.1c tho, lido IN, ~ 1yn n --,, -,o
dians. that she has invited YOU TO pay a
visit to England next year. I sincerely
hope that your mother may let YOU come
even il she does not herself ACCOMPANY
YOU. Remember that you have cousins
who would like to make your acquaint-
ance. Your affectionate cousin,
MACDE.
Captain Ferrier meanwhile had open
ed two letters. One Of them was from
his sister. RE read it hurriedly AND
cramnled it ito his pocket as il 4