Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-01-25
AT WAR WITH HERSELF.
The Story Of WOman'S AtOnement,
by Charlotte N. Braeme.
CHAPTER XII

and Lady Fanshawe had taken possess
sion OF the magnificent mansion in
Belgravia which the late Lord Charm
leigh had beautitled and decorated in
the most superior fashion. He had
lavished small fortune on it, and, in
its way, it was as luxurious as apalace.
The first few days of their stay were
occupied in procuring dresses and
jewels. Lady Charnleigh was intro
duced to Madame Berton, who looked
at her gravely, and then promised that
she would do full justice to the radiant
young beauty. =,
81 can foresee a perfect whirlpool of
gayety" said Lady Fanshawe, as she
looked at the number Of cards of invi-
tation: you must be careful, Leonie,
not TO lose your roses in London"
But the girl was looking at the nu-
merous invitations with u glorious
smile on her face.
"Oh, auntie," she cried, clasping her
hands, lis it not glorious? ! long for
the time. You say others tire. | never
shall. 1t seems to me that | shall be
young and gay and light-hearted for
ever"
And then Lady Fanshawe bethought
herself that it was useless to preach,
for experience is the great teacher,
and the lovely, bright, hopeful girl
would soon discover the truth for her.
self; so, from q number of cards she
selected one.
Lady Charnleigh, she said, you
must accept this one. 1t is an invita-
DO, ~ n,,ahAst, IF IQnply a tNfp on 70
ball; it is always the best OF the sea-
son and it always takes place after the
Drawing-room.
And that will be my first ball, said
the girl, laughingly-"the key to the
golden land, the entrance to an earthly
paradise! wish it were tonight
dislike waiting so long for anything"
Long afterward people talked of that
drawing-room and the lovely young
countess that drew all eyes and won all
hearts. She was magnificently dressed;
her costume was of the richest white
silk, covered with silver net, and en-
broldered with silver flowers. With
this she wore the far-famed Charm
leigh diamonds, Young and old all
agreed that no fairer debutante had
ever appeared even at that Court,
where fair and graceful women abound
81 hope" she said to Lady Fan
shave, when they had reached home,
and were resting in the cool, fragrant
boudoir-"I hope acquitted myself to
your satisfaction. tried to remember
all you had told me-"
81 have nothing more to teach you,
Leonie; you are une grande dame now
launched on the great world. Every
one was charmed with you; never saw
a more complete success"
"Then should be happy" said the
Countess, with that peculiar smile
which Lady Fanshawe never quite un-
derstood.
Nov rest. I shall not let you stir
until it is time for the ball. You must
look your brightest and best, Lady
Charnleigh, for, although her Grace of
Rockhampton is very popular, half the
people there will have gone to see
you.
When Lady Fanshawe saw her charge
dressed that evening for the ball, she
allowed to herself that she was perfect
The costume again was of white and
silver, so appropriate always to fair
and youthful beauty; the silver net was
fastened with sprays Of white heath,
and the bouquet she carried was of her
favorite flowers--sweet, white daphnes.
The Charnleigh diamonds adorned
the golden head, carried with such
queenly grace; they rose and fell like
points of flame on the white breast, and
one superb bracelet cleaned on the
rounded arm. The lovely face was ra-
diant in its youth and hope; it had a
flush like the daintiest color of rose
leaf; no stars were ever brighter than
her eyes. The unstudied perfect grace
of the whole figure was something to
wonder at. She stood before the mir
ror in silence, and then, turning sud-
denly to Lady Fanshawe, she said:
"Do you know what forebodings are,
auntie?"
Weaknesses in which no sensible
person ever indulges," was the grave
reply.
Sometimes they are more than that.
I have a foreb ding, auntie-a kind of
presentiment that something is going
to happen tonight"
Something will happen; you will be
very much admired, Leonie-nothing
more than that"
p See, auntie, my hand trembles-I
never saw my hand tremble before;
and my heart beats, yet it is not from
fear"
"You are excited with this mornings
brilliant success, Leonie."
as that ALP" she murmured. 81 feel
as though were on the threshold of
another world 1t cannot be all fancy
and imagination What can happen
to me? Nothing, for I have all want.
She repeated these words as they
drove through the sweet May night to
Northampton House Nothing can
happen to mel have all want.