Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-05
CHAPTER XVI.

Straubeuzee woke late tho morning
after the ball. and Miss Gregorias found
no ono visible when she came down to
breakfast, which on that occasion was
served ia the octagon room, and ate il
there alone. for once happy in her
thoughts
The night before had been to her one
long intoxication; for the first time in
her life she had her hour and enjoyed it
10 the very uttcrmost. She forgot every
thing but that she was exquisitely turn
ed out and that mems eyes told her so.
that in all this brilliant assemblage
there was not one to contest with her
the right Of divine lovclincss, and in the
sense 1T mastery it gave her all else
was forgotten, while the browning,
most satisfying touch Of all came in
the attention Will Cassilis paid her
and his genuine delight ut her Success.
He thought she had won her innings
and helped tn make IL sweet To her
while Mamie went through duty dances
with her neighbours and otherwise PER-
formed her duties rs hostess for the first
and last time IN her fathers house.
y warm color came to Hagar's face
ms she remembered the things he had
said to her, and she thought how much
better he had looked than Blake Ire
lawpy. whose dark. distinguished looks
were indeed far superior. especially in
that dress which IL one of the most
anomalous and confusing si1rs of the
time. being worn indifferently by gut
Ter born waiter and royalty alike.
AS To Mamie. Haear had forgotten
all about her. That strong. full cup Of
sweetness had absorbed all her time in
the drinking. and the music. the scent
of flowers, the whole perfect setting Of
her pleasure had reused in her an in
tense power 81 enjoyment that startled
her. making her ask was she indeed the
crushed, spiritlcss creature. half ruined
In health. despairiug in soul. who walk
cd with the wizard not much more than
year ago ON the Devonshire scaboard.
without n single hope IL the future.
She had not even known that she DOS
sesscd will, till his, which had alb
sorbed hers. was broken In death. and
only by slow degrees had learned 10 OK.
crcisc those powers that beneath all her
scrfdom had existed. What IL they
should avail her now. what il the in
credible had happened. and even rs
Mamie in spite Of herself bowed TO Ire
lawny's sway. will Cassilis was coming
under an influence that he had not the
strength To- resist:
Alas, poor soul, thus she deceived
herself. not knowing that when q mans
heart is brimful Of love to the one n
little Of il must perforce overflow to the
stranger. for he cannot help it; the in
dividual love has taught him, as it
must all generous souls, the universal
love.
Presently Hasar made her way to the
library. where Lord Straubenzee. hav-
ing long ago breakfastcd. and looking
as If he had never left his beloved books
an hour. was quietly reading. the room
in perfect order.
She greeted but would not disturb
him, and he said as she disappeared, II
am glad she enjoyed her ball." then TO.
lapsed into his book.
Strolling out into the open mir and
passing tho vast network Of Offices tina,
'as w 'ue Ttat ut Vne mouse. ftasy1r came
ut last to the riding school. that formed
one side OF a vast quadrangle that had
once held stabling accommodation for
30 horses. All was ruined and disuscd
now, grass grew thick between the
stones. the riding school. down which
such brilliant companies Of careless men
and women had ridden laughing, was
heaped with rubbish and debris. the
eoachhouses were empty save for few
carriages and doscart. and only q cou-
pie Of pairs Of horses rested in the one
corner OF the vast place that had not
fallen into utter decay.
IL was a melancholy sigh. and sad
dened Hasar as she gazed abroad, for
though man must and does die i, is rare
for the careful work Of his brains and
fortune TO come TO such evil pligh, rs
this. and. as now, possibly not through
his own. hut the faults Of his descend.
ants.
And vet IN echo Of the life @. the