Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1894-01-26
At WAR With HERSELF.
The Story ot a woman's A,onement,
by Charlotte N. Braems.
CHATTER Ix-cont,nucd.

CHAPTER Ix-Cont,nucd.
Then they sat for some minutes In
silence, Major st. John amusing him
self by throwing small stones from the
rock into the sea, Captain Flemyng
looking with a far-off, dreamy gaze at
the heaving waters and tho sapphire
eky. Suddenly Major st. John broke
tho silence that seemed to have enfold-
ed them.
"General Sir Huntlcy Dacre UNDER
stands how to give good ball. never
remember q better entertainment in
Malta than that Of last night"
Paul Flemyng made no reply, the
subject evidently did not interest him.
How beautiful 10 belle Etheldreda
grows! admired her exceedingly last
evening" i.
"she is . lovely GIRL" said Paul,
rousing himself; "it seems a pity that
youth and beauty like hers should be
buried here" :.
"The General is sure to return to
England, and when he does that young
lady will create furor. II l. for In
stance, had any idea OF asking her to
marry me, should do so at once" And
Major st. John looked curiously ut the
calm. handsome face.
"That would doubtless prove q wise
p: ccaution," said the Captain, caro-
le.sly; u am not great believer in the
felicity OF either love or marriage"
"Then you ore no soldier" was tho
quick reply; next to glory soldier
values love-"
1T may be that have had no actual
experience" laughed Paul Flcmyng.
III have imagined to myself kind OF
ideal woman, but have never met any
one like her."
"That's all very we'll. I prefer the
real myself" returned the Major, dry
ly. II should have imagined, for ex-
ample, that Ia belle Ethel was inf
nitely superior to any ideal that you or
Icould imagine"
"She is q beautiful girl"
"She is more than that, remarked
the Major. Il can read passion, GO
MUS, fire, power, in her face. Do you
know" questioned he, abruptly, Il fan
cied there was some little tenderness
between you and Miss Dacre?"
II never care to discuss such mat
tors" said Paul, calmly.
THAT Is so say, you will not boast Of
good fortune.'"
IL have none to boast of, and If had
there is honor in love, suppose, as
we'll US in warfare"
"We all noticed Miss Dacre's bouquet
Of white rosebuds," continued Major
st. John, "and We could not help soeing
that when you left the ballroom you
carried one of them in your coat"
"There Is nothing in that. Miss
Dacre gave it to me- because admired
them"
"Young ladies do not give rosebuds
for nothing" said the Major laughing.
II consider it most suspicious circum-
stance.
To this Captain Flemyng made no
You will call at tho Generals some-
time to-day?" said. Major ST. John.
"Yes. told my servant to follow mo
here first with tho papers and letters
from the mail.
Then you will not tell mo anything
about Miss Dacre, Paul?"
Il have nothing TO tell. except that I
think her very beautiful, and of an
amiable disposition. How nicely she
speaks to her father anil how kind she
is to every one! Ah, here comes tho
le' tersw
There were several letters and pa
rers. Captain Flemyng gave tho papers
to his + lend, while he read the closely
written pages of his English corre-
spondence. He came at lengL gLh to blue,
otflcial-ioolsirg envelope, and Major
St. John, instead of reading the news,
looked at him while he opened it.
The letter was OF great moment to
the young soldier. 1t was to tell him
whether he was Lord Charnleigh, of
Grown Leighton, peer of the realm,
with vast fortune at his command; or
whether he was to remain Captain
Flemyng, with nothing save his un-
dauntcd bravery and his noble heart.
Yet his hands did not tremble as he
broke the seal, his face neither flushed
nor grow pale with emction-he was
calm and collected; and the Major, s
brave man himself, did silent homage
to his comrades self-command. Paul
Flemyng read the lettor through, then
laid it aside, and calmly opened the
rest. Nothing could be gathered from
his face-thefe was neither great ella
tion nor disappointment in it.
"What news?" asked the Major, cu-
riously, unable to bear the suspense
any longer.
I was just going to tell you. For a
lawyers letter, this is really romantic.
The true heir is found, and, to use q
Hibernicis,n, sho is an heiress. There
will he no Earl of Charnleigh, but a
countess. 1t is quite romance. Even
MIR. Clements seems touched by it; he
says there is not the least doubt as to
perfect legality Of the young ladys
claims. Tie court has pa ssed iudg-
ment in her favor. No will can Ia
found. and she is the nearest of kin.
he aids that she IS young, EN-, ce,!ingly
lovely, and has led most retired life.
WHO was she?" asked the major
That he does not say: but, to give
her her full title, she is now Leonie,
G untess of Charneigh and Baroness
Fio!dsayc.'
What position for q young girl!'
exclaimed the Major. II cannot hclr
wishing. Paul that the 6. cat prize had
been yours"
Il resign it chesri,,i:y," he returned
~ should have liked it, hut it is hers
anG would not take i: from her If
Could, Hea' en- knows. She is welcome
to it. See part with my pes as
easily as par with this" Ard Captain
Pail Fleinyng, Us he sp, lle, tore piece
Of paic- into shreds and threw t:ien