Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-03-15

Lord Holdene to the young countess;
81 want d pair OF silver shoe-buckles-
those Of the regular old-fashioned
type
Lord Holdene had been one Of the
most efficient actors in the charades,
and Lady Charnleigh was very desir-
Gus to please him,
81 must dance this first waltz, she
said; "then ! will see that some are
found for you"
The first waltz was with the Duke,
and before she could attend to Lord
Holdene's request she had TO dance
with Sir Bertram. Never while the
sun shone and the flowers bloomed did
Lady Charnleigh forget the happiness
of that hour, The lights, the flowers,
the fragrance, all seemed to bewilder
her. His arm was around her, his eyes
were lingering on her sweet face, He
was thinking to himself, "She will be
be my wife," When the dance was
ended, and the last sweet strains had
died, Lady Charnleigh turned to him.
81 am going to the housekeeper's
room" she said, to send Mrs Fearon
in search of some silver shoe-buckles +"
He was pleased to linger few min
utes longer ut her side,
81 will accompany you" he said; and
they left the ballroom together.
She gathered up the sweeping train
of purple velvet and threw it over her
white arm.
IL wonder If queens ever feel inclined
to rum" she said; 1T is to be hoped
that they are not always en- refine. One
Of my childish delusions was that they
sat all day with crown and scepter.
How many more, of my girlish fancles
are but delusions, ] wOnder?"
Before he could reply they had
reached the housekeepers room, and
Mrs. Fearon was made acquainted
with the difficulty about the shoe
buckles.
There are sure to be plenty Of them,
my lady, she replied, in the large
wardrobe in the oak ROOM"
"Then let one of the maids go for
some at once, " said Lady Charnleigh.
Mrs. FearOn smiled.
81 do not think, my lady, with all due
submission, that any of them will dare
to go; ! will go myself the instant l
have finished here,
Il cannot wait. Why will no one
dare to go, Mrs. FearOn?"
There is a belief, my lady, that the
cak chamber is haunted: none of the
servants will enter it, am obliged to
attend to it myself
Patience was certainly not one Of
Lady Charnleigh's virtues, The color
flushed in her beautiful face, and the
white, jeweled fingers flung back the
violet velvet train.
IL will go myself If wait until you
find a sensible maid-servant, or until
you have finished Lord Holdene will
not have his buckles to-night-that is
certain"
The housekeeper was far too wise
ever to contradict her imperious young
mistress.
AS you please, my lady. Shall some
one carry u taper for you?"
mo, ! will carry it myself. The next
time you engage any maids, Mrs.
Fearon, take care they have no absurd
fancies."
Sir Bertram had stood by, an amused
spectator of the little scene; he admired
Leonie's impetuous spirited manner,
and thought her more beautiful than
ever when she was impatient. Mrs
FearOn provided u silver candlestick
and a wax taper,
Pray, let me go with you, my lady,
to carry this" she said.
mo, | will not take you from your
employment. Is this the key" For
the housekeeper with great solemnity
had unlocked q small iron chest and
taken from it an antique key.
This will open the wardrobe, my
lady. 1t used to be rule of the house
that no one should ever open it except
the mistress of the house."
What does it contain anything very
precious?" asked the countess.
"Old-fashioned court dresses and Orna-
ments, antique jewelry, valuable point
lace, and other things"
81 wonder that | never thought of
looking in it before. Make haste, Mrs.
Fearon." Then, with the lighted taper
in her hand, she walked quickly
through the corridor with Sir Bertram
by her side.
Il am very much afraid, she said,
laughingly, that my manners have
not that repose which stamps the class
of We're de We're. How impetuous |
am | could have carried that good
Mrs. Fearon off in whirlwind because
she was not quick enough.
Let me carry the light to the room,
he said; but she, in her graceful, inn
perious way, refused.
Then let me wait here until you re-
turn" he begged; and to that she
agreed.
Suddenly Sir Bertram took the taper
from her hand, set it down on one of
the broad window seats, and took both
her white jeweled hands in his.
"Leonie," he said, you look beauti-
full enough tonight to bewilder any
man. You ought to have been queen;
that diamond crown and these royal
robes suit you we'll. Oh, my queen,
my queen, do you not know that | have
loved you 50 long, and have never even
dared to touch those soft sweet lips?
Your beauty has bewildered me- blame
that-not me.
He stopped down and kissed the fair
white brow. She was not angry, but
she drew back with quick, sudden
movement that made the light in her
jewels shine like scattered flames all
round her.
when shall | find those buckles
Sir Bertram? Let me go now, and wait
here until my return"
She gathered up her violet train
threw it over her arm, and went up the
stairs. When she reached the top,
she turned round and smiled on him.