Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-08-06
CHAPTER Xxi.


CHAPTER XXII.
One week replaced another, one month
followed another, and through each and
all l followed out the line of conduct
had set myself. There was nothing else
to be done; and l hated to think. Physi-
cal fatigue prevented that; and grew
thankful for the weariness that left me
SO pale and listless and worn, since my
brain grew less active by reason of that
very weariness.
In the warm summer days the feelings
of lassitude and fatigue grew greater
the hours for which Darby served as ex-
cuse were generally spent by me lying on
the sofa in utter prostration of mind and
body. Now and then Sir Ralph looked
ut me anxiously. "Are you not doing too
muchY' he would say; but only laughed.
and affirmed afresh my enjoyment and
my strength. 1t seemed to me that 1
could not give up now. Bad as this life
was, the other would be ten thousand
times worse.
In August we went back to Monk S
Hall. / was glad to he home once more,
glad to see the old familiar places, glad
to run over to Templeton and hear of my
fathers literary successes; glad. but vet
with little of the old gladness. to gather
the boys around me once again, from
school and college, and hear the merry
voices, and listen to the chaff and bullying
and tormenting that still were part and
parcel of themselves. They left at last
| and then some male visitors came. and
| among them Yorke Fcrrers. Sir Ralph
| had suggested it, and l had listlessly
agreed. Nettie, of course, came over, too
and the September days brought the un.
| failing dogs and guns and gnme-bags
4 I had opportunity for rest then. Tho
strain and tax of entertaining were lifted
| off my mind, and no one, even Nettie
knew that half my days were passed ly'
ing passively in my dressing room, toe
weary even to read or speak.
| l am wrong, though. Some one else
knew. 1t was Mrs. March. She had
found me in this lstless fashion SO many
| times that at last she remarked it. and
excused myself by saying that the fa
| tigues of the season had been too mucf
| for me, and that only wanted rest. The
very day afterwards was surprised b!
Nettie bringing her visit to an abrupt end
The usual plea was given-her grand
mothers wish. did not combat it.
remembered afterwards that Mrs
March had been in the room when Netti,
spoke, and as made that remark she hal
turned and flashed strange, eager lool
in her direction.
When was once more alone. she fdgct
ed about the room on one excuse or an
other, asking me perfectly unnecessar,
questions, arranging things that wanted
no arrangement, until grew somewha
impatient.
will you excuse me, my lady" sh,
said abruptly, 'if-if venture to ask 20,
a question? Is Miss Croft engaged?"
II don't see how Miss Croft's affair
can possibly interest you." said coldly
and took up book to show that dix
not mean to discuss the subject.
She said no moro. but left the room.
"Joan,' said Darby. a few moment
afterward, creeping up to my side, Is
don't like Mrs. March. l have alway
had feeling that she is not safe"
mot safe, dear:" said in surprise
"What do you mean!
She shook her head.
IL can't tell more than that. Sh
doesn't like you, and she is so often witt
Sir Ralph. I have heard the servant
say so."
"You mustn't listen to servants gos
sip," l said coldly. "And what does
matter whether she likes me or not as Ion
as she does her duty?"
81 wish," the child persisted, "you coul,
send her away, 10. l have been think
ing that, ever since she came, you hav
changed. And why does Sir Ralph neve
come to us US he used to do? And oh, j
dear 10! why are you always SO TN
happy?"
"Unhappy!" said. "what makes yo
fancy that? Only low-spirited and tired
dear. think am not as-as strong a
used to be-"
"You used to be strong" she said wist
fully; nothing ever tired you once. Don
you," she added suddenly, "don't you lik
being married?"
/ tried to laugh. think it surprise
me little that the laugh ended in sol
and that the incisive question brough
tears to my eyes.
II am very weak and foolish" sal
hurriedly. ut is my own fault that al
not as-as happy as might be-"
There came knock ut my door at tina
moment, and the next instant it opene
at my permission and admitted York
Ferrers.
"Is-is Nettie here?" he asked. The
his eyes rested on my agitated face, an
his own changed suddenly.
He closed the door and came into th
soom.
"Nettie is packing" said, calml,
"You know she is leaving this morning? (?
"Yes," he said. II am going to driv
her over. 1 wanted to know what tim
sho would want the carriage"
II will ask her." said Darby, eagerly
and slipped away from my side, and wa
out of the room in moment.
Yorke stood by the fireplace, idly finger
ing the ornaments and figures ON tn
mantelboard.
had risen from the couch, but nov
reseated myself. 1t was long, long tim
since we had had tete-a-tete. We ha
been conventional and friendly for SO Ion
that felt no dread or embarrassment i
his presence.
Presently he raised his head. He di
not look at me, but straight into til
glass before him. He could see my fac
! there.