Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1894-05-25
CHAPTER XII.

Monsieur Dudevant had made for
himself IL great reputation as an artist;
his portraits r like life, every one
said; and SO Monsieur Dudevant had
always more work on hand than it was
at all likely he could accomplish. 1t
was owing to this pressure of business
that the commission given to him long
ago by Captain Paul Flcmyng was still
sineNecuted-the commission of copying
the portrait of Pants mother which
tor SO many years had hung in the late
Earl of Charnleigh's room.
LeOnle would insist upon Paul's ac-
scepting the original, but he said NO."
he seemed to have some superstitious
feeling about the gift. He was grato.
ful to be allowed to have a copy of it,
but he never seemed to like the idea
OF taking it from the place which the
Int earl's meditations had made sacred.
he wrote to Monsieur Dudevant, who
placed his name upon the list requiring
early attention, and promised to write
when his turn came. 1t was now that
;pscture was sent ut once he would at
send to it.
Captain Flemyng had been summoned
on military business to Weldon, where
he was expected to remain for some
days. He went over himself to Grown
leighton, IL most carefully packed
Che picture. 1t was sent to Lady
@karnleigh, in London, as she had
promised to select q new frame for it.
The case containing the picture ar
saved one morning when the countess
Wa preparing to attend q royal gar
den party. She looked superbly beau
Ssiful in her cloud-like dress of lace and
anlle. white, with the faintest soupcon
aNf hlS,C How 1A,,s11io ~ for ,,voo 0,,,h1l
with animation. She was at the PIN
nacle of glory. She had received a
foyal invitation, and she knew that
there would be few present at that
party more admired than herself.
To think that 1 should receive an
invitation from "a queen?:" she said to
herself. II, who three years since was
iinsulted by servants and despised by
.schoolgirls-l am invited by the queen
sof the greatest country in the world.
I wonder If her Majesty will have
leisure to speak to me, and, if so, I
>wOnder what she will say
She had been more than usually So
1fcitous about this party.
"Ethel, " che said to Miss Dacre, @you
have such superb taste in dress, design
something for me more elegant than
has yet been SEEM"
And Miss Dacre did as she was re-
Q%uested, the result being something
exquisite.
Are you satisfied with me?" asked
Teonie. simply as q child, when the
carriage was announced.
Ethel Dacre, with q sudden warm
impulse, kissed tho lovely face.
~Kou look" she said, lust as though
you had come out of a white cloud,
you arc SO fairy-like. hope you will
.; ss'sy yourself very nnsh' Lady Charm
~Thcre is not much fear of that" re-
turned Leonie, with q light laugh.
They remembered that day efterward
n the last of her bright, brilliant life.
She had owe looked SO lovely, she
fad v been 8 greatly admired.
Tho light, ethereal style of dress suit
I'D her to perfection, the light, fairy
ike hat was like q crown on the gold
m head, the clouds of rich whits lace
fell gracefully round the perfect figure,
and tho exquisite lace seemed to rise
rom them like q blossom from pale
caves.
She hai never been so mich adj
Serward how kindly the royal lady had
spoken to the beautiful Countess:
princes, dukes, and ambassadors paid
homage to her. She was queen by
eight Of her beauty and grace. Wher-
ever a little group Of the most eminent
mono Of the day we're gathered together,
there in tho midst was Lady Charm
hsight to be seem.
Ca that day, too-the last of her
brilliant reign-she excel.ed herself in
wit and repartee. Her bon mots were
repeated on all sides. Great men went
away from her smiling. and saying to
peerless In wit as In beauty. Ehe had
oerer been 10 successful in society as
- this day, which was, in somc re-
&peots, to be her last. hoyal pr:n-
saases we're most gracious to her: 1ud