The Dickinson press., 1894-02-24
CHAPTER XIII.

Lady Fraser began to be interested.
She liked the young squire better than
she had liked any one yet, and there
was certain piQuant pleasure in
watching the panied face of the young
girl. Tor once the bitter was bitten.
She had begun by playing at love, and
she ended by learning to love the man
who was so solemnly promised to an
other woman.
After she had found that out she de.
lighted in torturing her young rival; to
see the fair young face blanch, tho
white lips tremble, and q sudden CULVER
OF pain pass over it, was pleasure to
her. Yet she she was so clever and so
cunning that she contrived to accom-
plish I'LL this without attracting atten-
ton, or drawing down upon herself the
displeasure Of others.
One afternoon, by some strange
chance, she found herself alone with
Hyacinth. 1t was golden opportu-
nifty, and one not to be lost. Lady
Eraser walked aimlessly up and down
the room; then, as though an idea had
suddenly occurred to her, she said, half
to herself, half to Hyacinth:
Il wonder where Mr.. Branston is?
wish lie would sing with me for half
an hour"
Looking up at her, Hyacinth saw a
flash Of fire and mischief in the dark.
lustrous eyes. She spoke without think.
ing.
| Lady Fraser" she said, "do Won
know that I am going to marry Mr.
Branston? We are to be married in
july 80
She trembled as she spoke; IL seemed
to her as though with these few words
she must crush her rival: but, TO her
surprise, Lady Fraser laughed low,
gentle laugh, with touch of scorn in
It. N-- - 'A- -
Indeed" she said. "But July is not
here yet; and there is many q slip
'twixt the cup and the lip"
There will be no slip for met" re-
Joined Hyacinth, hotly.
II hope not" laughed Lady Fraser
"but 1t is wise not to make too sure OF
anything in this world. Those who
trust, for instance, in a mans love
trust in shifting sands. I am going tt
sing; If Lady Rosedene wants me, tel
her am in the mushroom with Mr
BranstOn.'
A few minutes afterward Hyacintt
heard stream of music filling thu
house. She did not wait to discoye,
whether her lovers voice was blending
with the magnificent cOntralto. She
went to her room and buried her face
In the pillows to shut out the sound.
"She Is stealing his heart from mev
sobbed the girl.
From that hour the very madness Of
Jealousy seemed to take possession Of
her; her pain became intolerable: she
lost all the sweet childish grace and
softness that had been her great charm
She was always angry. suspicious, OF
silent. The light had gone from hel
life; and Alan, vexed and impatient al
the change in her, was often displeased
| simply because he did not understand
Lady Fraser did her best to make mat.
tcrs worse. She said many things In
the young girls presence which she
would have not dared to say to others
| One evening Hyacinth was with
Lady Rosedene; they were walking
slowly amongst the budding roses. AND
suddenly they saw Lady fraser cross
ing the lawn with Alan by her side
The very sight seemed to turn the girls
blood cold.
Look. Lady Rosedenew she cried
"rherc is Alan-he is with Lady Fra.
ser again. She will take him away
from me, am sure; see how she smiles
at him, how she looks at him"
Lady Rosedene looked in alarm at the
girl-her face had suddenly grown
livid, her eyes were dim with despair
MY dear Hyacinth," she said, "dc
not look like that"
With convulsive gasp the girl clune
to her arm.
Lady Rosedcne," she cried, "she viii
take my lover from mel am sure sh'
Will. She is Turing him away"
"She ought to be ashamed of her
SELF" said Lady Rosedene, honestly In
dignant. II wish she had never COM
to Dene Hail."
The madness of passion seemed t
have taken possession of Hyacinth. !
crimson color flushed her fnce, 0n angr
, light shone in her eyes, all her gentle
ness and sweetness vanished. Unde
> the influence of her terrible jealousy
she was like one transformed. Lad
I Rosedene never forgot that awf,
I change; 1t was the first time she IN
I ever been brought face to face with tt
\ dreadful reality of human passion.
"She will take him from me-" sal
the girl. in low, despairing tones; "an