The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-06-27

with some of the best families in Eng
land. Her mother was the daughter OF
Lord Delcairn, and her mothers fam
lily was a large one.
Sir Wilton Grahame died, leaving his
widow 4 comfortable jointure; her par.
ents died, leaving a small fortune; and
Lady Grahame, while still in the prime
of life, found herself free and unfettered,
! moderately rich, liked and courted by
numerous aristocratic member of her
family.
The ladies had been out shopping. and
something had evidently caused Lady
Grahame great pleasure, for her eyes
sparkled. and her comely, pleasant face
was lit with smiles.
Il tell you, my dear" she said to Miss
Lowe. that ! have really never seen a
more elegant or handsome man. Poor
Sir Wilton had n nice face, but he was
not to be compared to him; his atten-
tons were quite marked. Mrs. Hender-
son tells me he has besieged her with re-
quests for an introduction to me-
The ever-attentivc Miss Lowe murmur-
cd something 70 the effect that it was not
surprising: which little bit of incense
being properly offered and accepted, Lady
Grahame resumed her remarks with the
same expression of w~ell-pleased vanity.
Il am told that he is very wealthy;
that he made a large fortune abroad, and
goes into the best society, | know. Really
l never saw a more polished or charming
manner, and such a flow of spirits. l
cannot remember the witty things he
said, but We quite agreed upon many
points. He has a very handsome house
near the Park"
Miss Lowe looked amiably interested,
having nothing particular to say.
Mr.. Fulton said something about call
ing tomorrow morning" said her lady
ship; but l do not know whether he
will. We were speaking of jewels, and
he said he had n very rare and beautiful
opal that he would show me. l forget
where it was found, but in som strange
place. Do you think pale pink or light
blue suits me best? | may as well look
nice. We must see about a becoming
toilet, my dear-something elegant, but
not too young"
The morrow came, and Lady Grahame's
maid found it very difficult to please her;
but when the toilet was completed, she
acknowledged it to be a perfect success.
Every good point in her figure and face
was made most Of, and every defect care
fully concealed. Lady Grahame smiled
as she gave a long, lingering look at the
mirror; Miss Lowe was observed to look
unusually tired when the was
over.
1t was a bright May day; the windows
of the pretty drawing room were open;
the soft warm breeze was laden with the
fragrance of mignonette, Lady G%rahame's
~favorite flower. The blinds were skill
fully arranged, so that a beautiful rosy
light came from the silken hangings. 1t
was really a pretty picture; and Lucy
Grahame, in hcr effective toilet, was
pleasant to look upon.
81 will not read, my dear" she said,
when Miss Lowe suggested a book; sit
makes me So sleepy and stupid. Give me
that purse / am netting; you can rea
aloud if you choose"
But not one word did Lady Grahame
hear; her thoughts were all upon the Wis
itor whose coming she anticipated so anX-
iously. It was long since a blush of real
pleasure had flushed her face, but there
was ono when she heard a loud and very
imperative knock al he door. Her hand
almost trembled when she rose to greet
her admirer.
II have been impaticntly awaiting the
time when you gave me permission TO
call, Lady Grahame.' said Mr.. Fulton.
Il never found a day and night SO long
before"
Lady Grahame blushed and smiled.
Cool, elegant woman of the world as she
was, she did not feel at her ease in the
presence of this handsome stranger. He
had brought the wonderful opal. and
there was plenty Of discussion over it.
He did not say how it came into his pos
session, but it had been taken from the
treasured gems Of some great Indian
rajah. He showed the wondrous gloam-
ing ~colors, the eyer-changing tiutS, the
hidden fire that seemed at times to flash
ruby-red from its depths.
1T should he set in pure, pale gold"
said Lady Grahame, admiringly. II have
seen many jewels, bat non like this"
Il hope to hav" il made into It ring"
said Mr.. Fulton. If ever good fortune
should favor my wishes and l should
marry; for that jcW'l viii show 10 .cy-
fection on a fair whit" hani."
Lady Grahamc i~uYoluntarily glanced NJ
her own as he spoke. jhon blushed as she
found his eyes bent upon her.
There was so much to toe said about
the wonderful opal that il Was Iuucho,u
time before the visit was half ended. and
Mr.. Fulion accepted Lady Gralamr's ia
station to join them. lie was beginning
70 fall in love with his own scheme. ana
the more he saw Of rh" lady the more
sur" he folly tha, shc. above all others. was
best suited for him.
DURING The course of cunvcrsuiio Jon Nr.
Fulton found thar Lady Grahamr seemed
to know everyone. and 90 everywhere.
sud -baf tho circles H.. .t,.La,J II, N.f, -.