Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1894-02-09
CHAPTER XIV.

Lady Seagrove was the happy pos
SCISSOR of a grand old mansion at Chis-
wick. The grounds attached to it were
extensive and beautiful; some of the
finest trees in England were to be
found there-stately oaks and spread
ing cedars, chestnut trees that were
magnificent when in bloom, magnolias
that filled the air around with per-
fumes, silver birches, aspens, copper
beeches that looked like FURNISHED
gold, in the sun. From the grounds
there were some beautiful views of the
river. Pretty seats and garden chairs
had been placed under the trees.
Once during every season Lady Sea-
grove gave grand fete in the grounds,
and it was eagerly anticipated and en-
ioyed. After crowded theaters, heated
bathrooms and their artificial atmos-
but green foliage and blooming flowers.
Fair faces looked fairer in the sun
light, people were less artificial, less
ceremonious there.
Lady Charnleigh was queen of the
fete, as she had been queen of the ball.
She looked daintily beautiful in her
dress of rich Indian muslin, with its
trimmings of costly lace; pretty little
hat shaded her lovely face, and gave a
eOquettish appearance that did not
usually distinguish her. She looked
around her, but did not see the one
face and figure that had haunted her
all night.
As soon as she appeared Lady Charm
leigh was surrounded by a little
knot of courtiers; first and foremost
was Lord Falcon, who watched her de-
lighted face with smile,
SIS this the first fete you have at
tended. Lady Charnleigh?" he asked.
Wien, after great maneuvering he he'd
secured seat by her sids.
4Yes," she replied.
IL though. so; your face tells your
every shought as plainly as your lips
speak them"
Then I must train my face," she
said. 1T is very inconvenient to have
ones thoughts guessed"
Lord Falcon sighed.
"Why do you sigh?" she asked,
simply.
II was thinking that the fairer and
more dainty the bloom, the more easily
1t is brushed from the flower. l was
wondering if few seasons in town
would make you as artificial and world
ly as other girls"
Il am worldly now,' she said, with a
world and Everything i.' in it, ''S' 'D'
That is not being worldly. Lady
Oharnleigh," he rejoIned, half sadly;
then he looked at her in wonder-a
beautiful light had come into those
violet eyes, a sudden flush to the fair
face. The flush died away, leaving the
face pale, with the least possible
quiver.
BE had his own share of vanity, and
believed that his words had moved her,
How could he guess that in the far dis.
tanoe, between the waving foliage, she
had seen the grand Saxon head and
fair, handsome face of Sir Bertram
Gordon:
All the serene and beautiful calm
was over. Her heart beat, her whole
soul was engrossed with one idea
would he learn that she was there?
Would he come to speak to her? She
said to herself that Lord Falcon, the
greatest match in England, was most
tiresome man. She wondered WHY he
persisted in sitting there talking non
sense and looking at her. while the
young lord from. her silence began to
hope that at last he was making some
impression upon her.
Il would make her an offer at once,
he thought to himself, "but that my
mother SO strongly advises me ia
wait {"
Il wish he would go away" thought
Lady Charnleigh; then perhaps Sir
Bertram might see me-"
She sat in silence scme minutes
longer. and then silence aud inactivity
became a torture to her. What if he
should leave the grounds without see.
ing her? What if he should go away
and she should never zee him aguin?
II wish to find Lady Fanshawe," Che
said, rising; and Lord Falcon. to his
annoyance, saw that the interview was
ended.
They found Lady Fanshawe ceep IN
conversation with the Duchess; from
the well-pleased faces of both, the sub.
iect had evidently been satisfactory
Then Falcoln left the heiress with q
bow, inwardly resolving that the time
should be as short as possible before be
made her his wife. Then, oh, then
1ho sun grew brighter, Q deeper, fuller
beauty fell ON flower and tree, for Sit
Bertram had sesn her, and he waa
coming. Bright, sweet roses on her
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