Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-14
CHAPTER XXI.
no COMPROMISE WITH PAULINE.

ing his bride home. He had, in spite of him
self, been somewhat impressed by his niece's
behavior. She gave no sign of disappointed
greed or ambition, but she bore herself like
one who has been unjustly deprived Of her
rights.
On the night Of the arrival every possible
preparation had been made for receiving the
baronet and his wife. The servants, under
the direction of Mr.. Frampton, the butler,
were drawn up in stately array. The bells
from the old Norman church Of Audleigh
Royal pealed out a triumphant welcome:
flags and triumphal arches adorned the road
way. The Court was looking its brightest
and best; the grand old service of golden
plate, from which in olden times, kings, and
queens had dined, was displayed. The rooms
were made bright with flowers and warm
with fires. 1t was proud coming home for
Lady Darrell, who had never known what
home was before. Her delicate face flushed
as her eyes fingered on the spendor around
her. She could not repress the slight feeling
of triumph which made her heart beat and
her pulse thrill as she remembered that this
was ali her own.
She bowed right and left, with the calm,
suave smile that never deserted her. AS she
passed through the long file of servants she
ming; but, despite her delicate, grave, and
youthful loveliness, they looked from her to
the tall, queenly girl whose proud head was
never bent and whose dark eyes had in
them no light of welcome. 1t might be bet
ter to bow to the rising sun, but many Of
them preferred the sun that was setting.
Sir Oswald led his young wife proudly
through the outer rooms into the drawing
room.
Welcome home, my dear Elnorr' he
said. May every moment you spend in
Darrell Court be full of happiness!'
She thanked him. Pauline stood by, not
looking at them. After the first careless
glance at Lady Darrell, which seemed to
take in every detail of her costume and to
read every thought of her mind, she turned
carelessly away.
Lady Darrell sat down near the fire, while
Sir Oswald, with tender SOIicitude, took off
her traveling-cioak his hands trembling with
cagernesS
You will like to rest for few minutes
before you go to your rooms, Elin0r," he
said.
Then Miss Hastings went up to them, and
some general conversation about travelling
ensued. That seemed to break the ice Lady
Darrell related one or two little incidents of
their journey, and then Sir Oswald suggested
that she should go to her apartments, Us the
dnner-bell would ring in half an hour. Lady
Darrell went away, and Sir Oswald soon aft
erward followed
Pauline kad turned to one of the large
stands of flowers and was busily engaged in
taking the dying leaves from a beautiful
plant bearing gorgeous crimson flowers.
Pauline" said the governess, my dear
childp'
She was startled. She expected to find the
girl looking sullen, angry. passionate; but
the splendid face was only lighted by CLEAN
OF intense scCrn, the dark eyes flashing fire,
the ruby lips curling and quivering with dis
daln. Pauline threw back her head with the
Olu significant movement.
Miss Hastings" she said, II would not
have sold myself as that girl has done for all
the money aud the highest rank in England"
My dear Pauline, you must not, really,
speak in that fashion. Lady Darrell un-
doubtedly loves her husband"
The look of scom deepened.
''lO on know she does not. She is just
twenty, and he is nearly sixty. What love
what sympathy can there be between them?'
ut is not really our business, my dear; we
will not discuss it,"
hard upon what you call my world--the Bo-
hemlan world, where men and women speak
the truth-it amuseS me to find flaws in
yours"
Miss Hastings looked troubled: but she
knew it was better for the passionate torrent
| of words to be poured out to her Pauline
| looked at her with that straight, clear, open,
| honest look before which all atfectatiOn fell.
You tell me, Miss Hastings, that | am de
| ticient in good-breedins-tha 1 cannot take
| my proper place in your world because do
not conform to its ways and its maXims. You
have proposed this lady to me as model,
and you would fain sec me regulate all my
| thoughts and words By her. | would rather
die than be like her! She may be thorough
| ly lady-like-I grant that she is so-but she
| has sold her youth, her beauty, her love, her
| life, for an Old mans money and title. |,
with al! my brt SqHcrie, as you call it, would
| have SCOrned such sale and barter"
But, Pauline" demonstrated Miss
| Hastings.
ut is an unpleasant TRUTH interrupted
! Pauline, sand you do not like t. hear it. Sir
| Oswald is Baron of Audleigh Royal and mas
| ter Of Darrell Court; if duke, thirty years
older, had made this girl an offer she would
have accepted him, and have given up Sir
| Oswald. What a world, where woman's
truth is so hidden for?''
My dear Pauline, you must not indeed,
say these things; they are most unlady-like."
| II begin to think that all truth is unlike"
returned the girl, with laugh. My favorite
| virtue does not wear court dress very bCcom-
ingly."
| Il have never heard that it affects russell
| gowns either" said Miss Hastings. "Oh,
| Pauline, if you would but understand social
| pOlitenesS, social duties! If you would but
| keep your terrible ideas to yourself! If you
would but remember that the outward bear
| ing Of life must be as bright shining, I'M
disturbed surface! DO try to be more amiable
to Lady Darrellr'
MOT exclaimed the girl, proudly. 81
have warned her, and she has CHOSEN 10 as
regard my warning. l shall never assume
any false appearance of amiabiIty or friend
ship for her; it will be war to the knife! 1
told her so, and she chose to disbelieve me.
l am Darrell, and the Darrels never break
| their worI'
Looking at her, the unstudied grace of her
| attitude, the perfect pose, the grand face
with its royal look of scorn. Miss Hastings
felt that she would rather have the girl for a
| friend than an enemy.
Il do hope, for your own sake, Pauline"
she said, THAT you will show every respect
to Lady Darrell. All your comfort will de-
pend upon it. You must really compromise
| matters"
i compromise matteSr' cried Pauline.
'You had better tell the sea to compromise
with the winds which have dashed it into
fury. There can be 10 compromise with
| mo