The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-10-08

of vast experience. was not surprised
He had come to know her very well
in the past few years. He had been
her fathers lawyer up to the time OF
that excellent BRIDESMAIDS demise, and
he had settled the estate with such un-
usual dispatch that the h~eirs-there
were many Of them-regarded him as
an admirable person and-kept him
busy ever afterward s~traigtening out
their own affairs. Which goes to prove
that policy Is often better than hon.
esty.
Il quite understand, my dear, that
while it is a dreadful shock to you.
you are perfectly reconciled to the
er-to the-well. l might say the cul-
mination OF his troubles" said Nj.
Carroll tactfully, after she had re-
lated for his benefit the story Of the
nights adventure, with reservation
concerning the girl who slumbered In
the room beyond.
Hardly that, Mr. Carroll. Resigned.
perhaps. l can't say that l am recon-
NilCo. All lhs ihNc 4 oIdlI ltCl lldS y
have been cheated" she said.
He looked up sharply. Something in
her tone puzzled him. Cheated, my
dear? oh, l see. Cheated out Of years
and years of happiness. l see."
She bowed her head. Neither spoke
for a full minute.
Its a horrible thing to say, Sara,
but this tragedy does away with an
other and perhaps more unpleasant al
tentative; the divorce / have been
urging you to consider for so long"
Yes, we are spared all that" she
said. Then she met his gaze with a
sudden fash of anger in her eyes. But
| would not have divorced him-never.
You understood that, didn't you?"
You couldn't have gone on for ever.
my dear child, enduring the"
She stopped him with a sharp excla-
nation. why discuss 1t now? Let
the past take care of itself, Mr.. Car
roll. The past came to an end night
before last, SO far as l am concerned. 1
want advice for the future, not for the
past"
He drew back, hurt by her manner.
She was quick to see that she had Of
Tended him.
Il beg your pardon, my best Of
friends" she cried earnestly.
He smiled. III you will take pres
ent advice, Sara, you will let go of
yourself for a spell and see If tears
won't relieve the tension under"
"Tears!" she cried. "Why should I
give way to tears? What have l tc
weep for? That man up there in the
country? The cold, dead thing that
spent its last living moments without
a thought of love for me? All, no, my
friend; l shed all my tears while he
was alive. There are non left to be
shed for him now. He exacted his
full share of them. 1t was his pleas
ure to wiring them from me because
he knew loved him. She leaned for
ward and spoke slowly, distinctly. s %
that he would never forget the words.
But listen to me, Mr.. Carroll. You
also know that l loved him. Can you
believe me when | say to you that I
hate that dead thing up there in Bur
tons inn as no one ever hated before?
Can you understand what | mean?
hate that dead body, Mr.. Carroll.
loved the life that was in 1t. 1t was
the life Of him that | loved, the warm,
appealing life of him. 1t has gone out.
Some n less amiable than | suffered
at his hands and-well, that is enough.
| hate the dead body she left behind
her, Mr.. Carroll"
The lawyer wiped the cool moisture
from his brow.
II think | understand" he said, but
he was filled with wonder. "Extraor-
binary! Ahem! l should say-Ahem!
Dear me! Yes, yes-Tve never really
thought Of 1t in that light"
Il dare say you haven't" she said.
lying back in the chair as if suddenly
exhausted.
by the way, my dear, have you
b~reakfasted?"
40. ! hadn't given It a thought.
Perhaps it would be better If l had
some coffee"
Il will ring for a waiter" he said.
%springing to his feet.
Not now, please. I have a young
friend in the other m guest who
arrived last night. She will attend
TO it when she awakes. Poor thing, II
has been dreadfully trying for her"
Good heaven, / should think So"
said he, with a glance at the closed
door. rs she asleep?"
Eyes. l shall not call her until you
have gone"
May / inquire"
"A girl met recently-an English
GIRL" said she succinctly, and forth
with changed the subject. There arc
a few necessary details that must be
attended to, Mr.. Carroll. That is why
| sent for you at this early hour. Mr..
Leslie Wrandall will take charge
All" she Strengthened up suddenly.
What q farce it is going to bel"
ITO Dr So>-rT>-rrEnn