Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1894-06-08

AA0S q ~ HSoNOs 2NSA "a ~
stood at Leonie's side she formed her
resolutions; she decided that the girl
should MOI be carried to that magnihy
cent mansion where she had been
queen. West6eld, her fathers home,.
was but q few miles from London; she
would take her thither.
She dispatched q messenger to Lady
Fanshawe, telling her what had hap
pened and what she had done, and then
ordered q corringe and took Leonie
home to West6eld. The doctors pro-
nounced 1t to be. o case Of brain fever,
from which there did not seem any
chance for the patients recovery.
= =
1t was a juno day on which Leonie
Rayner had turnel from her sin and
fed from further temptation-led, re-
solving to be loyal and true for the rest
of her life, come what might. The
wheat was standing in huge golden
sheaves, and the fruit was hanging
ripe on the trees, when he opened her
eyes to reason and light-such feeble
reason, such dim light. At first she
was conscious of no other sensation but
that Of lying at rest, and then, when
that became familiar to her, she began
to understand that she was more help
less and feeble than q child. She tried
to raise her hand. but could not; she
tried to speak, but the trembling lips
could form no words; then she looked
round, but the place was all strange to
her. Near the window she saw the
outline of q wcman's figure; Leonie
raised one of her hands, and it seemed
to her that it must belong to some one
else, 1t was so white, SO thin. SO frail.
And then. slowly, gradually, the
once active brain began to work again;
memory and reason, the power Of
sighed deeply, and the figure ut the
window hastily turned round.
"Ethel." she whispered, family.
"My darling. Thank heaven, you arc
yourself once mOre." and the next mo-
mont Ethel Dacre vas kneeling by the
bedside holding the frail, tremblinfs
figure in her arms.
Tell mo where I am, Ethel" she
said.
You are in my home-Westfeld;
you have been here ever since you were
taken ill.,"
How long is that" asked the faint
voice.
"More than six weeks, Leonie. But
you must not talk-you must rest"
VI A0kh-AOksOVVOa OCklS-1lho Uu0 ldkuts
sweet music of adream. "Rest!" The
poor, half-dazed mind dwelt on the
word-it opened the whole past to her.
Does every one know, Ethel?:" she
asked.
sYes, my darling; everyone knows,
woman in the world"
Her fair nam had been saved from
all stain Or reproach. She turned her
face away, and fell into a sweet, dream
less sleep, every moment of which was
full of healing TO her.
It was some weeks longer before she
was able to leave her room. Once or
twice she thought to talk to Ethel
about that terrible past, but Miss
Dacre would not hear q word.
When you are stronger, Leonie,
now. Make haste and grow strong.
Papa wants to take us both to France.
Would you like to visit Reims, where
your mothers family live? We will
go there and stay until you are quite
WE'LL"
The idea Of visiting Reims delighted
her, and then, by degrees, as Leonie
grew stronger, Ethel told her how
Lady Fanshawe was stillat the London
house, experimenting affairs, and how
Paul had taken possession Of his es-
tates, and now was installed as Lord
Charnleigh.
GLOW is he, Ethel? Did you ever see
hiln?:" she asked.
"Yes-I see him every day, Leonie.
He drives over to see how you are."
Then, noticing that the sweet face
grew pale, she added, "You will not
see him, Leonie. DIR. Markham has
forbidden me to allow anyone to see
you until we return from France. Half
about you."
Then people do not like me less be-
eau. o l am no longer q countess." she
said.
,. II think kali all sensible sad, s people ssI;1 like s. yop
When you are stronger I will show
you what all the papers have said about
.and then you wifi understand how
you are appreciated"
Leonie did not grow strong as soon
as Miss Dacre had hoped. When she
was able to travel, Sir Huntley took
them both to Reims. The brave old
general had grown very fond of the
girl who had acted in what he called q
truly brave and loyal fashion. He
would have done anything for her. Le-
onie begged hard that she might seq
Lady Fanshawe before she went, but
Ethel was firm.
LADY Fanshawe was grieved very
much about you.". she remarked; sin-
deed, for q long time she persisted in
saying that there must be a mistake
about the will. II you were to see her
it would only. bring about q rush Of
npinfoI momor{oa VOo, mVak noik ,,.
| til you return"
Ethel. said Leonie, ayou evaded my
question the other day. How is Paul.
Miss Dacre's face flushed.
"Lecnie," said she, Paul loves you
too we'll to be happy; he would give
back his earldom, dear, to win you"
But Leonie Rayner looked with frank.
clear eyes into her friends face.
II shall never act falsely again.
Ethel, while I live; and I cannot marry
Paul, because with all my heart I love
Bertram Gordon"
lro BE c0NTINuEnj
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