Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-10-29


At dinner Gilbert and Uric joined MS. /
scarcely know how 1t went off: but / knew
that Gwendoline was battling with happi-
ness against a few remaining fears. ina
presence OF Lord Martin, almost a stranger
TO three OF ia, threw a certain reserve over
our talk. aud | was nervous and beginning
to dread what miserable results might fo.-
low If Crawford Csrden should break his
word and seek to divide this newly-unlted
husband and wife. | could not help watcll-
ing them and wondering what world hap
pen; would he forgive her folly?
You are very quiet tonight" Hilda sud-
denly said TO me-. II suppose IL is because
of your position as the hostess, as lady OF
the Grange"
Lord Martin looked across the table at me
rs she spoke in n clear bell-like voice, with
q little smile on her proud lips. His eyes
we're very searching, even in q cursory
glance, but they were kind; he might have
expected the Grange a. his wife's fortune,
but he showed nothing but the most courte-
Gus consideration for me.
felt the color rising in my face, the hot
ter for the laugh | attempted in answer. l
was surprised by Hilda's remark, for 1t
was not often she addressed me, and never
cou'd | remember that she had thus openly
and smilingly alluded TO Gilbert's Inherit
ance. did not know this was but part OF q
determined scheme.
When dinner was over, the gentlemen
joined us directly In the drawing-rooIs An
mis- and Uric, Lord Martin and Gwendoline,
sat together and laughed and talked, and
Lord Martin told Of his life abroad.
"Shall you be willing, Gyendoline," he
asked, 'to go back with me and share all
the little depriyations a life abroad must
have? They shall BE- as few as it is possible
10 make them, and there are many atonlng
pleasures. ! hope you can make up Your
mind to IL" and he looked at her earnestly.
She answered, in very low, trembling ac-
cents
IF you will have me-"
Hilda was at the piano, and she had sum-
moned Gilbert TO her side 10 turn over the
pages of her music, and was carrying on IA
light conversation with him. Her pink
dress, with It's full sleeves and square bodice
and thick white ruff, as in a picture by some
old master, suited to perfection her fair face
and pale yellow hair, dressed high and en-
twined pearls.
Hooked nj the dainty Dresden clock on
the Mantelpiece; its hands pointed to five
minutes tc nine. No one seemed to be heed
ing NE greatly, sol slipped out of the bril-
liant room, with is pictures and china and
velvet seats, its ilOwer-scented music-laden
air.
Out of doors the night was warm and still
and fine. There was 10 wind TO chill me,
and indeed / was in a feyer-heat as | stole
through the dark copse, hearing the music
grow fainter and fainter to my ears, and
casting one look back at the light streaming
through the windows upon the terrace-waIk.
IcOu.d still see It's CLEAN through the trees
when | stood By the shrubbery wicket.
Mr.. Garden was not there. and, when pres
emily he appeared, lie was full OF apologies,
to which | paid no heed. Then he began
asking a variety Of questions concerning
Lord Martin.
Mr.. Carden,"I said, they will answer
all these questions at the Granye . You know
what | have come for. Please do not detain
me longer than necessary"
"A thousand pardons! | will not keer
you an unnecessary moment" he answered.
/ did not guess the delay was necessary &c
him; he was only waiting for the curtains
70 be drawn across the bright cleaning win.
dow. n prec0ncerted signal. lie drew forth
the letters.
"You have been playing with edged tools"
he said. 'YOu knew 1 loved you; YOU knew
you were leading me TO suppose that / was
not distasteful 10 you-"
How dare you say sop | interrupted
passionately.