Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1894-03-09
UMAPTER xxIIlEl.

yrilt
CMAPrER xxIn.
TAere was great excitement IA Che
county whom the invitations for Lady
ChArnleigh's ball were sent out. that
was Just Us II should boz poople esid,
sCrown leighton had always been the
center Of hospitality; old times wore
being renewed. Tradespeoplo In the
quiet little town Of Weldon wore moro
cheerful faces; y made all tho differ.
en0e - the world TO them whether
Crown Leighton Was tenanted or not,
Rumor told OF the wonderful prepara-
tions that were being made. In the
western wing, among the etate-rooms,
was large and magnificent ballroom.
By Lady Charnleigh's orders Q largo
conservatory had been added to 1t, and
now she desired that one of the state
saloons adjoining should be transformed
into theater.
Il like theatricals," she said, when
Lady Fanshawe made some slight re-
monstrances. Il may just as we'll have
Q theater now as in q years time. I
shall often have charade parties, and
intend the stage to be perfect little
bijou. ! may just as we'll amuse my.
self In this way as in others, auntie.
Lady Fanshawe yielded, knowing
how true her words were.
THAT life cannot be very worthy
one, Leonte, whose only business is
amusement.
-There will be time enough for grav-
or thoughts when grow older" said
the girl. sLet me enjoy my youth"
Sir Bertram took great interest in
the erection Of the theater; he was
able to suggest many improvements
which would never have occurred to
one 20 inexperienced as Lady Charm
leigh. She watched the progress Of
the alterations with great attention.
What happy hours We shall spend
here!" she said to Miss Dacre, one
morning. II do not think any country
complete
Miss Dacre made some polite reply,
and then looked up in surprise, for
Lady Charnleigh's clear, soft, musical
laugh rang through the room.
was just thinking, Ethel, that I
spoke as though I had been q countess
all my life. never saw q country
house until q year ago.
Contrast between the past and pres
ent often amused her for few min
great bound of satisfaction at remem.
bering how brilliant and beautiful the
present was.
-Here is Sir Bertram," said Ethel,
one morning, as she stood at the win
dow of the breakfast-room. II should
fancy his horse knows the way to
Grown Leighton"
They had just risen from the break
fast table; q most significant smile
crossed Lady Fanshaw's face, while
Lady Charnleigh turned away lest her
vivid bushes should be seen. Ethel
went after her.
"Leonie, here Is Sir Bertram.s
HE is very welcome" said the young
heiress, with serene composure.
$50 / imagine, rejoined Ethel, with
q smile.
Lady Charnleigh was obliged to look
up when he entered the room, and on
her lovers face the girl read q look
of determinat on; she knew at once
that her trifing was at an end, that
she could put him off no longer, that he
had come that day expressly to be
heard, and that she must hear him.
She reAd all this in q hundred different
ways. The proud head was thrown
back with more kingly grace and
dignity, the frank, handsome face was
determined. the eyes were grave and
calm. Leonie, Lady Charnlefgh, would
tritle with her lover no more.
She watched him as he crossed the
room to speak to Lady Fanshawe. How
handsome he looked-a grand Saxon
king, 80 proud, so frank, so different
from everyone else-and he loved her!
Her heart beat when he came to her
and said:
LADY Charnleigh, have come over
to see you to-day for very special
reason; you will find five minutes for
me. hope?"
Certainly" she replied, and she pro-
ceeded at once to make such arrange
ments as would keep Ethel near her.
The light of her happiness dazzled her
the moment she had longed for, yet
dreaded, had come, and she would fain
have delayed 1t; her emotion fright
ened her-she was glad with q happi-
ness that almost terrified her.
First of all she asked him to 90 with
Miss Dacre to,see how the theater was
progressing; gravely and courteoasly
he obeyed her, but his eyes, as they
fingered on her, said: "Do not think to
escape me-you must hear what have
to say"
Then she was invisible until the bell
rang for luncheon, when she entered
the dtntng-r00m with q serene, smiling
face, as though she had never thought
Of such thing as driving lover to
distraction.
After luncheon visitors came, and,
though she might have dismissed
them, she fingered talking to them
and showing her new conservatories,
until Sir Bertram almost lost patience.
The bell rang for dinner, and yet he
had said no word to her. AS he went
through the hall he said:
LADY Charnleigh, pray remember
that you have given mo your promise
for five minutes interview; do not
forget"
She had not forgotten; she had SIM
ply not dared to look Ut the CLEAN Of
sunlight that had fallen at her feet.
Her eyes dropped, q lovely blush over
spread her face, her lip auivered
eighty;