The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-02-15

CHAPTER tx.


The site of the bridge was chosen just
where Lady Lilias had decided, and Lord
AudIey was very pleased with it. When
they reached Ulvcrscroft Hall again, Vane
showed them his plans, and the sketch of
the bridge which Sir Raye had so warmly
approved. Father and daughter stood by
the library-tabie. Lady Liiias had taken
Off her hat, and some of the dead-gold
hair laid like u veil over her shoulders
With careless grace she hpu thrown one
arm around her fathers neck, and stood
looking with him IT the sketch,
alt is u beautiful bridge, papa" she
said. ..You will call it a foolish fancy of
mine, but it looks almost like a chain OF
flowers.'
The Earl laughed at the fancy; but it
was not a very exaggerated one, consid-
cring the lightness, elegance, and grace
of the design. She looked at Nane with
wonder and admiration in her beautiful
eyes.
s1s this idea your own? How elegant
and simple it is! How beautifully you
have sketched ii. You must be an artist.
How clever you must be y
"You think so, Lady Lilias, because you
are not accustomed TO the workers of the
world" he answered. s.Ilicre is nothing
especially clever about it,
stCan YOU do better things:' she asked.
ri hope So" he replied modcstly. 81
think Heaven has given me skill. | love
to battle with the difficulties Of my pro-
fession. A fierce tide, a steep hill, n rug
ged mountain, are all giants whom 1 love
to fight singie-hauded, to graphic and con-
quer."
He looked so earnest, so handsome, so
.,r~,,,I tt,., H. 49,, .I,,1 l:,., =. -,l- d;
ton. In her own mind she thought this
man, who loved his work, who liked to
grapple with difficulty and danger, who
played, as it were, with the great powers
of the earth and moved them at his will,
was worth 4 thousand of the .swhitc-hand-
ed glittering youth" whom she was accus-
toned to meet, From that moment II GER
tain respect for him crept into her heart.
She admired his bravery, his courage, his
truth, his devotion to his work, and his
chiyalrous simple notions.
Vane was soon quite at home. His I'M
affected noble character and beautiful
sensitive face won friends for him. Every
one respected him. When he had been
there three days, the young Duke of Walt
ham Joined the party; but he was neither
liked nor admired one-half SO much as Vans
Fraser Wharf.
Still the one blot on a fair and noble
character remained. lie was ashamed OF
his origin. He dreaded lest it should ever
be known that he was the son Of n poorie.
norant farmer. IIe knew it was a hateful
weakness, and he loathed himself for it.
But he was powerlcss to combat with the
feeling, and he was thankful that it could
never be known.
At dinner one evening, when Lord Aud.
ley had invited several guests, the CONVEX.
sation turned upon the recent purchase
of Wylton Chase. one of the oldest estates
in the county. 1t had been bought by II re-
tired picklc-Inaker, who was very anxious
to secure admittnnce into the charmed cir
Gle of county families, but was not permit
ted to do so.
1--WE must draw the line somewhere"
said the great Lady Hottie of Castle Holte;
"and we will draw it at pickles.'
BY some means Vane found himself by
Lady Lilias, who looked more beautiful
than ever in Il superb dress of white lace
trimmed with waterlillies and green
leaves. Diamonds shone in the dead-gold
hair and on her white breast. Her arms
We're bare to the exquisite polished Shout
ders. She turned to Nane.
"This is all miserable PRIDE" she said.
"Frankly speaking, i would neither visit
nor receive this rich pickle-manufacturer.
The reason why is that he does not, nor
never could, belong to our class; that
neither by thought, education, culture. nor
ideas would he be pleasing to lts. There
must be different ranks to society as there
are different storys i'll Il house or strata in
the earth. Ono alone is useless; but the
whole of them make perfection. And my
decided opinion is that class distinctions
should be preserved. l should not care to
associate with those whom / considered in
t%erior."
"Yet you would carry tie child of a
bcggar-woman in your arms::o he interro-
gated.
"That is a different thing. You will
never understand me. Now. for instance.
ii l was that pickle-manufacturer, | should
be too proud to crinee and fawn for the
society of those who did not want me. i
should rot condescend to buy old pictures
and call them family portraits, to talk
about my dlancestocs.' l should take my
stand on my W merits. l would say, Il
am a rich man retired from business. |
have been B observation-disclosures, and now
am ANXIOUS 10 mix in good society. Those
who chose TO value honesty and sincerity
could know me if they liked-at least
thSiC NoViN w ~ SuaIil, iU pGcJcnce, no
atfectation--l should stand on my W
merits"
Nane laughed in a slow panied fashion
which puzzled her.
ssBut you YOURSELF" he said. "Yo,l
would not visit or know the Wylton Chase
family"
Cranky, no." she answered. 81 do
not admit that there is any equality be.
tween us. Why should ! seek TO tolerate
such society?o
lie looked at her with strange earnest
ness.
81 begin to understand" he said. 81
begin to distinguish between the pride of
one who can carry the child of u beggar-
woman, and the pride of one who could
not visit II retired picklc-manufacturer."
She looked ut him with a smile in her
sweet eyes.
"Tlen you are beginning to be a wise
man" she rejoincd.
Still he was strangely i'll at ease.
"Lady Lilias," he said, off ask YOU sny
Questions that seem to you rude or out Of
place, rebuke me; but I should like to I'M
derstand your social code. l see that there
are around Ulverscrcft solae very nice
farms. They belong to Lord Audiey, who
takes the most kindly interest in his ten.
antry. Now would anything, could any.
thing indnce You TO take o9e,i iile least in.
teSest IN the Young farmers, or the farm.
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