Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-11-04

maid. A homcly-looking person Of five
and thirty, who lighted the candles and
arranged the neutrality-suspicious. ever
condescended so far as to use a dustcr-
in Lady Lashmar's private apartments.
Barber was summoned and came,
sleepy, but smiling, to receive her lady
ships orders.
Il believe his lordship wishes you to
take care Of a child, Barber" said Lady
I.ashmar. you will have to put it in
your W bed for tonight, l suppose.
after you have given it u hot bath. You
had better cut its hair, too, as close as
you possibly can"
The shawl fell off as Lashmar handed
the child to Barber. The little white
nightgown and little bare feet were spot
lessly clean.
1t was in vain that the great Lady Pit
lands daughter protested against her
%stepson's folly in adopting u pauper's
brat and limited that the cloven foot OF
Socialism showed itself in the act. 1t was
in vain that she shuddered ut the deg
radiation OF those ancestral halls. Lash
mar Aas rock. He was one Of those
quiet, u~ndemonstrative young men, who
make up their minds slowly and who can
never be argued or cajoled into the re-
linquishment of a settled purpose.
The intruder did not take kindly to her
new life. Again and again, with piteous
tears and childish, unreasoning iteration,
she entreatcd to be taken to her father.
where is daddy? Take me to my dad
dyw that was the burden of her cries.
And I4ashmar, albeit philosophical and
strong-lninded in most things, could not
find 1t in his heart to tell this orphan
child the hard and bitter truth. He
could not bring himself to crush her with
the word never" Childhood so soon
learns the meaning of that fatal word.
So with weak tenderness he took the
little girl upon his lap and drew her to
his breast and told her that she should
see her father again some day.
Tell NC your name, little one?' he
asked.
"Stella."
"Stella! That is a very pretty name.''
1T means a STAR" said the child.
Daddy told me-"
evil you be my star? Will you live
with me in this house. and play in those
gardens out there, and 60 in my boat OH
the rivcry"
No." said the little one firmly, after
she had contemplated that delicious pic
ture for some moments. Il don't want
to live with you. l want to live with my
daddy
And then with a divinity of patience,
with that exquisite gentleness which is
Il peculiar attribute OF those who love lit
tie children, Lashmar explained how the
journey on which daddy had gone must
needs last for q long time, how summer
and winter must pass before he could
come back or Stella go to him, but how
they should meet in the days to come.
And you will leave of crying, and be
very good, for my sake, won't you
Stellar" pleaded Lashmar. Fathers are
unhappy when they hear that their chill
dren have been naughty. You will be
good, and you will try to love me, won't
you. Stella, for daddy's sake:'
The child made a supreme effort over
her childish heart, choked her sobs and
dried her tears, and trotted by Lashmar's
side to the gardens, and across the dewy
park to the river. He took her in his
boat, and rowed about with her for half
an hour or so, and took her back to the
castle with \ faint bloom in her sallow
cheeks, and q fine appetite for breakfast,
az Barber informed him afterwards.
The inquest upon Jonathan Boldwood
was held next day and Lord Lashmar was
present No one came forward out Of
Boldw0odrs past life 10 tell what the man
had been, or to testify to any interest in
him. When the coroner asked what had
been done with the child, Lord Lashmar
stepped forward and said that he had
adopted her, and would hold himself re-
sponsiblc for her future welfare.
He attended the funeral in person two
days Afterwards, by nc means an agree.
able duty, since all the rabble of Brumm
turned out to do honor to their favorite
agitator. But Lashmnr told himself the
day would come when Stella would cues
ton him about her fathers burial, would
ask to be taken to her fathers crave:
and he wanted to be able to tell her that
lie had stood beside that grave while the
c:cds OF earth were cast upon the conn.
while the words Of promise and Of hope
were spoken.
CHAPTER Nv.
The last Of the summer roses had
bioomed and faded long before Stella
ceased her piteous e~ntseaties to be taken
to her daddy. She was gentle and obedi-
cnt to her b~euefactor; was gradually
6tUW Au4 0tt0AASCO ~ ASlAus 0AC VOVN pICWSs
ure In his society, loved the river and the
gardens, the meadows and the fowery
banks, the picture books in the library.
where she used to sit upon the floor quiet
" turning the leaves Of an illustrated
volume v hile LAshmar read or wrote, un-
disturbed by her presence. She thrived
in Betsy ,Barber's care, and wat happy
in the comforts and brightness Of her new
life.
For nix years Of young, fresh life Stella
Boldwood was almost entirely happy. She
lived In a world where all things wen
new to the dweller In the tents o: the
people; an actusl world OF beauty and
luxury which knew no change; Z world
Of thought whose horizon widened with
every lay Of her existence. Education to
Stella wEs ~ sunlight to the flowers or
springtilne to the birds. Her eager mind
fopened 10 receive the treasures of knowl-
edge; her vivid imagination shed IL own
bftohtnes1s upon every subject, and 1ha
II MAAA