Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-12-16
CHAPTER XII.

Brighton was beginning TO hll for the
short Easter season. The lines OF carriages
were becoming less attenuated on the
Kings Road. The spring sunshine was
giving brightness to the changing sea, and
winter chillincss was turning into spring
freshness.
Lady Raven, who In tact and man9u.
wiring was unapproachable, suddenly dis
covered that her strength failed her little,
that her system required braeing after her
long sojourn In the eneryating climate Of
Nice, and that she must be "set up" for
the summer season in town. She also be-
lieved the best way to break the link be-
tween her niece and the last six months
was TO leave London behind them for
while. All might then begin afresh. Be-
sides Miss Worthington had lately lost her
roses. There was languor aud restless
ness aud an apathy about her which her
aunt began TO read Alright.
Lady Raven refrained from asking any
questions about her niece's late life; she
guessed much, but she preferred TO remain
partly In doubt. Moreover, she constantly
praised the Carrington's for their goodness
In all ways, the girls especially for their
sweetness and refinement. She even vol
unteered the suggestion that At . future
time their warm friendship might be re-
newed with advantage TO both sides. In
this way she felt that she could soothe any
lingering regret or soreness In Florence's
heart, and stifie feelings so often reused
and irritated by unconcealed objection or
dislike; but she lost few chances OF point
ing out the difference which msst always
exist between their sphere and her own,
while she carefully respected Florencc's
utter silence. She noticed her flushing face
when the post, Though IL WAS rarely,
brought her news from her cousins-her
glistening eager eyes while she read IL; she
noted also her fading color when she asked
IL there was = letter for her and was told
there was none.
Lady Raven took ways and mcans--jSs-
tifablc in her own eyes, doubtless, for her
conscience was elastic--of finding out that
the letters came from the Nisses Caring.
ton, and that they were harmless In their
contents; better still, they were rare In
coming. With that she was content.
Florence herself began TO think that the
past six months must have been . dream.
She had lost much Of the brightness which
had dawned upon her, ana in It's place
seemed to have gathered all her old haugh-
tlness, with more apathy; this, however,
was not displeastng to her aunt, especially
~ ahe found her niece wonderfully d0cile,
and apparently anxious In all ways to fall
In with her viows and plans. Florence
was miserable enough; but her unnhappi.
nsss was half hidden under mask Of pride
and apathy. The days A. they passed were
not unpleasant 70 her. She tasted q little
Of her old life, and found the taste not Bit
ter, though there WAS none Of the warm,
glowing sunlight she had before - pleas
sntly rsvellcd In.
Lady Raven and Miss Worthington were
occupying Lord Ravens house IT Brigh-
ton--which he often allowed his mother TO
40 wnen she was 30 incIined--and her L.
dyship's barouche was hired for the season.
hut Il rolled along the parade none the
= easily; aud Florence, reclining haugh-
/, beside her aunt, with the fresh sea-
y.ecze tanning her face, was not . little
pleased at the notice her relatives equip.
age or her own beauty attracted.
The Countess Of Ravens plans were oil
admirably arranged for soine months 70
como. Brighten was getting rather fhlls
and her ladyship found friends enough TO
make the evenings pass pleasantly; and
even 70 Ear she found not little compen-
satiou for her trouble In the admiration
that rlorence's beauty excited aud the At-
traction she felt her 70 BE- amongst her 90
Quaintsncss.
Nis wertAingsss dld not succeed vssv