Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1894-01-26
CHAPTER x.

Meanwhile Captain Paul Flcmync
walked en-. He would not admit that
he was disappointed; hc said to him
self that soldier must bear the buf-
fets of fortune as he bears the blows Of
the enemy, without ainching. AS he
walked On beneath the sapphire sky,
the sun pouring down golden floods Of
light upon him, he thought much Of
the lovely young counters who was now
mistress OF Crown Leighton. He re-
peated her name to himself.
"Leonie, he said "The face that
goes with the name should be bright,
fair and dainty. wonder what the
richest countess is like. Only lS, and
one Of the richest heiresses in England,
she should have somc one to take care
Of her."
Not until he reached tho Generals
handsome house did Captain Flemyng
cease to dwell upon such thoughts;
then he was roused from his dreams Of
far-of England, and returned to the
everyday practical duties of life.
General Dacre was not at home, but
Miss Dacre was, and the young soldier
followed the servant into the drawing
room. She was not there, but through
the long French windows he saw the
CLEAN OF her dress in the balcony.
Even as he crossed the room he
thought to himself what perfect pic
ture was before him. the golden su
light came brollenly through the cool
green vine-!eaves; the light iron bal
cony was one mass Of blooming flowers,
and the lovely girl in their midst
looked like their queen. Tall luscious
roses twined round the slcnder pillars,
and purple passion-aowers lay at her
feet.
"a flower among flowers" he said,
laughingly. Il called to thank you for
one Of the happiest evenings l have
ever spent, Miss Dacre."
you owe me little gratitude, Captain
Flemyng; the ball was papa's idea, not
mine. Will you come out here on to
the balcony? It is 80 much pleasanter
than in the warm room. think July
Is month that tries ones temper So
verely."
II do not think you have any temper
to try," he remarked, pushing back the
roses while he fund place by her
side.
She lookel at him with flashing eyes.
You are mistaken, Captain Flemyng.
A mans idea Of feminine excellence is
always inanity. Now, do believe me,
a woman without temper would be
simply insipid and unbearable."
He laughed ut her earnest, vehement
words.
"You must allow one thing-even il
she has u little spice of temper, she
must not show it.
i shall not agree even to that" sho
replied. What would tire any one
more than continual diet of sugar?"
He smiled to himself, wondering if
tho young Countess in far-off England
was of the same opinion, and she, look
ing up at him suddenly, caught the
smile. He had not noticed that while
she spoke to him her beautiful face
turned shyly away; he never saw how
the whito hands trembled and the dark
eyes dropped, so he did not read their
secret. He was blind to all thse signs,
that would have been so we'll under.
stood by a man of greater vanity. She
caught the smile, and ha tened to
change the subject.
Captain Flemyng," she said, Il Won
dor II may ask you ques ion?"
You will do me honor he replied.
Il know the English mail was in to-
day, and.pray, pardon mol heard
papa talking abeut you to my annt:
Shall you think me very inquisitive if
is settied?"
Looking at her lovely face, and tho
clear, true eyes bent so kindly upon
him, tho impulse came to him to tell
her the whole truth. She listened,
even as he read his letters, with calm
face: but when his story was ended.
there was little of calm In the flushed
face and trembling lips.
Then you havo lost entirely" she
said: there is no chance for you?"
"None at all,' he answered; "the af-
fair is finally settled"
And you knew that only two hours
since, when the mail came in:"
Il received my letters and learned
my fate then, he replied.
Yet, with that knowlcdgde, you
could ccme here calmly to fulfill a tri-
Hing social duty, and never once mem
tion what must have lain heavily on
your heart"
Il assure you" he explained, earn
estly, that since have stood in this
balcony until you asked mo about it, /
have never given it one thought"
She was to be forgiven if she mis-
understood him; her lovely face flushed
and her eyes dropped With glad,
happy lcok which she did not seek to
repress.
So the sweet, fragrant sunshiny
ho.irs passed while the two conversed
among the flowers. To the young girl
those hours seemed stolen from para
disc, they were SO full of happiness;
they dew like golden moments; she
could hardly realize that they were
ended when Captain Flemyng said that
he must go.
He hold the little white hand in his
for ons minute, then he was gone; and
to the girl it seemed as ii eli the sun
shine, the fragrance. and the beauty
had gone with him. He hrd been
standing with ono h: d lying lightly on
the iron railing: when The was gone,
she stoopel down and kissed the place
whore his hand had lain, and then a
hot blush burned her face.
Il would I were u queon," she said,
that might give him all the riches
that wonld be mine. wish 1 had the
largest fortune ever given to woman
that might share it with him."
| CHAPTER xI.
| Captain Paul Flemying never spoke
/ OF his disappointment: he had not