Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-17


pay for those mistakes with my life, does it
not?'
And Pauline, to whom all sweet womanly
tenderness seemed to come by instinct, soott-
ed Lady Darrell with loving words until she
smiled again.
Pauline" she said, suddenly, 81 wish to
communicate something to you. | wish to
tell you that [ have made my viii, and have
left Darrell Court to you, together with all
the fortune Sir Oswald left me. took your
inheritance from you once, dear; now re-
store it to you. | have left my aunt Lady
Hampton, a thousand year; You will not
mind that-it comes back to you at her
DEATH"
Il do not deserve your kindness" said
Pauline, graVely.
Yes, you do; and you will do better with
your uncle's wealth than | have done. |
have only been dead in life. My heart was
broken-and l have had no energy. | have
done literally nothing; but yon will act diff
ferentIy, Pauline-yOu are true Darrell,
and you will keep up the true traditions of
your race. In my poor, feeble hands they
have all fallen through. If Sir Vane returns,
you will marry him; and, oh ! my darling, l
wish you a happy life. AS for me, shall
never see the sun set again."
The feeble voice died away in tempest of
tears; and Pauline, frightened made haste
to speak of something else to change the cur
rent of her thoughts
But Lady Darrell was right She never
saw the sun set or the moon rise again-the
frail life ended gently as child falls asleep.
She died the next day, when the sun was
shining its brightest at noon; and her death
was 50 calm that they thought it sleep.
She was buried not in the Darrell vault,
but, by PaulineS desire in the pretty ceme-
terry at Audleigh Royal. Her death proved
no shock, for every one had expected it.
Universal sympathy and kindness followed
her to her grave. The short life was ended,
and its annals were written in sand.
Lady Hampton had given way; her old dis
like Of Pauline had changed into deep adj
miratiOn Of her sweet, WOmanly virtues, her
graceful humility.
IF any one had ever told me-" she said,
that Pauline Darrell would have Turned out
as she has, L could not have believed it, The
way in which she devoted herself to my niece
was wonderful. L can only say that in my
opinion she deserves Darrell Court
The legacy made Lady Hampton very hap
Ply; it increased her income so handsomely
that she resolved to live no longer at the
Elms, but to return to London, where the
happicst part OF her life had been spent
II shall come to Darrell Court occasional
ly." she said, 80 that you may not quite for
get me-" and Pauline was surprised TO find
that she felt nothing save regret at parting
with one whom she had diSlilled with all the
injustice of youth.
a few months afterward cane a still great
er surprise. The lover from whom Miss
Hastings had been parted in her early youth
who had eft England for Russia long years
ago, and whom she had believed dead-re-
turned to England. and never rested until he
had found his lost love.
In vain the gentle, kind-heartad lady pro-
tested that she was too Old to marry-that
she had given up all thoughts of love- Mr..
Bcrcton would not hear Of it, and Pauline
added her entreatles TO his.
But | cannot leave you, my DEAR said
Miss Hastings. You cannot live all by
yourself"
Il shall most probably have to spend nv
life alone she replied, land viii not have
your happiness sacrificed to mine"
Between her lover and her pupil NJ iSs Hast
ingS found all resistance hopeless Pauline
took positive delight and pleasure in the
preparations for TIE marriage, and, in spite
Of all that Miss Hastings could say 10 the
contrary, she insisted upon settling very
handsome income upon her
There was tone of sadness in all that
Pauline said with reference to her future
which struck Miss Hastings with wonder
You never speak of your own marriage"
she, said, cor your own future-why is it,
Pauline?'
The beautiful face was overshadowed for
moment, and then she replied.
1T is because | have no hope. | had a
presen imcnt when Vane went away, that
L should not see him again. There are some
strange thoughts always haunting me- If
reap as | have sowed, what then"
My dear child, no one could do more than
You have done. You repented OF your fault,
and atoned for it in the best way YOU were
able
But the lovely face only grew more sad.
Il was so wilIful, so proud SO ScOrnfuL /
did not deserve happy life. l am trying to
forget all the romance and the love, all the
poetry OF my youth, and to live only for my
duty"
But Sir Vane will come back" said Miss
Hastings.
Il do not know-all hope seemed to die in
my heart when he went away. But let us
talk of you and your future without refer
ence to mine"
Miss Hastings was married, and after she
had gone away Pauline Darrell was left
alone with her inheritance at last