The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-06-11
CHAPTER VII.

tIlAiIER VII.
The TRUTH was that this unexpected alb
sence Of Lady Susan rather frightened
Brudeuell. He did not know he was
frightened. out still he was so. He had
uncbnsciou>iy been relying upon the Mar
quis Of Cauiield's daughter as Il sort of
Safeguard to his conduct and protection
against his own feelings. while mentally
calling her rather an incubus. if not. I'M
der pr, sent circumstances even a bore.
u wonder what they are about now,
hc said. and he too sought the ballroom.
There was Camilla. whirling away with
his friend Forbes. Well. that was bear
able: he didn't mind Jack 50 much. Ac-
ton was. he thought. rather ostentatious-
ly sitting ont" as it is called. and seem
ed 10 be watching her, though not rudciy,
of course.
He danced the quadrille with Lady
Fouroaks and whiled away the time be-
tween that dance and the lancers by do
Ing rhe agreeable to her ladyship's large
and slightly bristerous party.
AT length the moment came, as all mo-
nlents have Il way Of doing. Nothing
worth noting happened during the vari-
GUS figures of that un~accountably popular
dance. Horace and his partner executed
their lancer figures with exemplary pre-
.ision. and We're now too anxious to
waltz with one another to dream of shirk-
ing the coming ecstasy; accordingly they
only strolled round the set Of smaller
rooms during the few minutes interval
they had to I'LL up.
: YOU never met Mr.. Acton before?'
said Lila.
'\,Vnr
81 am sure you will like him. he is so
very nice" pursued she, innocently.
What ! had heard. been assured of,
made me- furiously jealous of him.
jealous, But if that is so, you must
care for some one" and her young face
BETRAYED the deepest concern; "and You
must think not only that he. but she, the
cir or woman he-or, won't you tell me
more: Perhaps you do not mean jealous
in love-
That is just what | do mean
Then you-
"Oh. Miss Harding. | have seen you but
three times, but have you not already dis
covered that
Now. whether Miss Harding was more
of a woman already than any one gave
her credit for. and wanted Horace to
propose 10 her that night, or whether
she was still so much of a child as to give
way to a childish impulse to break through
conyenrionality. is a point which each one
had better decide for himself; but, no
sooner did their eyes meet than she laid
her little hand down on the back of her
lovers, and said, with a whole world of
tenderness:
What is the matter!'
To Horace it was an electric shock.
The natter" he echoed. his whole
face afame: do you not know that | love
.you-have loved you, adored you, from
the first night We metz?
This was hardly true, but he believed it
at the time.
So the fatal word was spoken-spoken
without premeditation, spite of all his
boosted prudence; wrung out Of him lit
orally.
She threw herself back with her head
against the wah-they sat upon a very
narrow. uncomfortable rout seat-closed
her eyes. and murmured:
Il am 50 glad"
Then, looking to see that they were
quite alone. he bent and kissed her cheek.
The cheek blushed, but she did not move,
50 he kissed the blush. 1t was done!
When a man of the slightest honor tells
a woman-at any rate, Il %lady-that he
loves her, he is as good or as bad as mar
ried to her if she wishes it.
And when shall | see you again? =
asked Brudenell. anxiously; may l ride
over to-morrow"
"N-no." Camilla replied, with a little
frightened look which puzzled him. You
don't know Lady Prendergast; oh, how
much | have to explain to you. | will
write it,
They had reached the crowd Of depart
ing guests. All was hurry and confusion.
Acton had got Miss Harding's things,
and now proceeded to put them on. 1t
did not matter. Horace had ceased being
jealous. for the time being at least. He
stood by. and gave her his arm again to
TAX her 70 the carriage
"Good night" she whispered: Heaven
bless you" oh, so tenderly.
And. watching his opportunity. he man.
aged to whisper back: