Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-12-11
LII.

Sttl'tstiit NSuNtil'i SNNuItl SIl IIlItutIC-
ition to Lady Rooden and her daughter,
land. remembering what Mr.. Ashton had
,said, that the man who won her ladyship
would be the ono who flattcrcd her most,
he fashioned his conduct on this inti,ma-
ton. He allowed her to see very plainly
his admiration of her bcnuty, his astonish-
.ment that she should have Il daughter so
tall and we'll grown. and he spoke more
freely on the point than most people
would. Sir Charles Roodcn, i'll his great
love for his wife, had not been able to
discern Il single fault in her. Captain
Wynyard had not talked to her for half an
hour before he understood her character
'perfectly. and knew that selfishncss and
vanity formed no small part of it. An
'gcln, generally quick in reading charac-
ter. might have spent Il lifetime with her
mother, and yet never AVE detected what
Captain Wynyard had read in half an
hour.
Lady Rooden was distressed that An
'gcla did not like him. She never appear
ed to enjoy his society, and always seem
ed anxious to escape from the room.
When he tried to draw her into CONVEX
sation She would make him only the very
briefest of replies. Her mother could not
understand this method of treating one
whom she considered the most charming
of men. Her wonder was that Angclu
WAS not delighted with him and eager for
his society. but then she consoled herself
by remembering that her daughter was
not like other girls.
Thus matters went on for some time,
Angela herself being the last to perceive
what was about to happen. 1t was plain
enough to the rest of the world that
Vance Wynyard was doing his best to win
the rich young widow; but Angela, who
always thought of her mother us one with
the father she had lost. never for one
ONE allowed such an idea to enter her
head. No one saw or understood less
than she to whom it was of such vital
Importance.
Among the invitations which Lady
Rooden and her lovely young daughter re-
ccivcd was one to II garden party given by
Lady Avon mt her beautiful villa Mt Rich
mond. the grounds of which slopcd down
to the River Thames. The party was one
of the most successful of the season. The
guests were the creme de In creme of Lon
don society, and the weather was most
propitious.
Lady Rooden looked more beautiful
than ever in Il dress of r,alest blue velvet,
Wv VI III WIN III llttV ctIl-
gcla Wore Il dress that suited her slender,
girlish beauty wcll-whitc, with IL pro-
fusion of rich carnations-a most effect
i've costume.
Wherever between the trees the blue
velvet and white lilac cleaned, there was
to he seen also IL small gathering of mr.
dent worshipers; but Angcla's happiness
was uncloudcd until she saw Captain
Wynyard. with IL smile on his handsome
face. take his place by her mothers side,
when Il feeling of unensiness possessed
her which she could not shake off.
As Lady Avon and her young guest
We're strolling through the grounds. An
gcla's eyes were rivetcd on the face
darkly beautiful, yet with n shadow on
it-of a young girl coming toward them.
"Who is that!' she asked, in IL quick,
low voice. of Lady Avon.
THAT is Gladys ltanc." was the reply.
Was it her fancy? She could not tell,
but it seemed to Angela that IL curious
expression passed over Lady .Avon's face.
1t must have been fancy, for, when she
looked again, the strange expression was
gone.
In n few wcll-chosen words Lady Avon
introduced the two who were to cross
each others lives so strangely. When
the dark eyes of Gladys Rane rested on
Angela. something flashed into their
depths. something that was like hate and
despair. Miss Rooden asked herself il
this was fancy also. 1t must have been
fancy, for the next time she looked,
Gladys Ranc was regarding her with
smiling eyes and lips.
Later on in the afternoon Angcla found
a cool quiet nook where she hoped she
would be able to muse alone: it held n
small wooden seat and was hidden by IL
'clump of aldcr-trees. She sat down to
rest and to enjoy the quiet her shady re-
treat offered. Not many minutes had
passed before she became conscious that
she was not alone-that some one was
'sobhing in deep distress. and some one
else administering consolation.
You know my heart is not in it," n
mans voice said-"you know that l hate
it; hut what can we do? l cannot HELM
myself"
81 cannot bear it" replied Il trembling
voice. "She is so beautiful, l am sure
that you will love her in time"
~ never shall. l love you, and YOU
only: hut in our case love and marriage
cannot so together. Marriage would mean
ruin to both of U.S."
Then Angela, unwilling to be even an
accidental listener. rose from her seat and
fastened away. She had no idea who the
speakers were: but half an hour later she
saw Gladys Ranc with Captain Wynyard,
and n sudden suspicion darted through
her mind that the conversation she had
overheard had taken place between them.
1t was but a suspicion: yet it was
strange how deep a root it took at once in
her mind. She saw them together again,
and, from the expression on Miss Rane's
face. she felt sure that, whatever the
Captains sentiments might be, the whole
love Of the girls heart was given to him.
i Late that evening Lady Rooden and