MILLIE S VICTORY*








 CHAPTER VII.

 THE lilacs have bloomed and faded five times since
 Mrs. Churton's death. It is summer-tide again, and
 the chestnut on the Rectory lawn shadows the same
 group that gathered there in that summer years ago.
 Changed all of them. The Rector's daughters bright
 and happy in their early womanhood. Millie, slight
 and delicate still, but with lines of care and pain upon
 her beautiful face sad to see in one so young.
 Reginald had altered the most; one would hardly
 recognize in his earnest face and stalwart figure the
 lad of five years ago. He had been reading to the
 girls, but the book lay closed on the grass, and they
 were talking of his near departure from home. He
 was going to London to finish his education as a
 doctor.
 Here's papa !" exclaimed Polly, interrupting her
sister. "How grave he looks. What's the matter,
papa ?
 "Never mind now, Polly. Millie," Mr. Templeton
added, "I have just left your aunt; she desires you to
go home at once."
 What a shame. Don't go, Millie," exclaimed the
three girls in chorus.
 "I must. Good-bye, Reginald."
 "Not good-bye; I shall see you again," )ho
answered, holding her hand tightly.