The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-07-09
CHAPTER 1.


sipth wear the Earl of Dunhaven had
anout his life in riotous living, then, more
d. ;he purpose of having q son to succeed
aim in his title he married the nineteen
ycar-o!d daughter of Joseph Bowden. who
Sod amassed Il large fortune on the Stock
Exchange. But, instead of a son, a daugh-
ter. Ililda. was born to him, and his dis
unpoiutmcnt was so great that he fairly
hated the infant and watched the little
j IIilda growing into womanhood with sll-
orclne indifference. if not neglect. His
4 wife died Il few years after giving birth
30 her child. and then the old earl let the
narnificent home OF his forcfathers Ha-
ycn,,ale Park, and retired to Hurst Sea.
4 where, shutting himself out from the
world. he devoted the remainder of his
i days to money grubbing, continually add
i ing to his fortune.
j Under such circumstances Lady HilGa
grew up. never seeing any one but the
two servants. Stephen Homes and his wife
Joan. and Il faded spinster of fifty, Miss
Darwin, to whom was intrusted the en-
tire charge and education of the young
girl.
And now the old earl was dead, found
stiff and cold in his bed. He died of
heart disease Miss Darwin Informed the
now orphaned daughter. doctor Hud-
son says that he has consulted him sew
eral times about it. Everything has been
done for him You would like to see him
of course"
Il DO not know; should be frightened
think. Miss Darwin" she answered
Just rs you like, my dear. You know
of course. what q great difference this
will make in your life l have sent for
Lady Darel and Mr.. Leonard-Lord Dun
haven he will be now.'
Lady Hilda looked ut her with wonder
ing eyes.
Lady Darel? Who is she? Who is
Lord Dunhaven? l do not understand in
the least
Heaven forbid" sighed Miss Darwin
chat | should say one evil word of the
poor dead earl. but he might have trusted
you Il little more. his own child. He for
bade ne ever to talk to You about family
affairs
He did not love me-" said the girl
sadly.
NO. he did not; he wanted a son. Mr.
Leonard Darel is the late earl's next OF
kin and heir. He succeeds to the title and
estates. He will be the thirteenth Earl OF
Dunhavan. Havcndale Park, Fair Oaks
your fathers place Lady Darel is the
Young earl's mother" she added; "and
have heard that she is considered one OF
dear, you have been of more consequence
10 the world than the world has been to
You. Your life will all be changed now. "
Why" asked Lady Hi,da. suddenly.
"Iou will have your mothers fortune
She had 4 very large one, and it is sure
to be yours now" said Miss Darwin
Lady Darel will. of course. take YOU
under her charge: she will bring you out
You will take your prorar place in the
world now.'
Neither Lady Hilda nor Miss Darwin
thought of going to rest. At stated in
tervals Joan brought them strong tea and
there was Il great deal said about keep
ing up" and not brea Ans down. They
sat and watched through the long, silent
night.
1t was strange on the next day to find
the gloomy house even more gloomy, with
the darkened windows and closed doors
with the awful presence of the King OF
Terrors. Lady Iilda would fain have
gone to the sea. would fain have listened
to what the wares had to say about hel
new lie. but Miss Darwin assured her il
must not be done: that if Lady Darel
should come and find her out she would
be seriously l!spleaSed, and Lady IilGa
was compelled to yield.
Another long. silent day passed, and on
the morning of the next day they came
Lady -lilda was alone in hei. room. She
heard the sounds that announced the ar
rival, she heard the subdued voices, the
flushed footsteps. and she waited in q
1ever of suspense. Ii seemed to hel
hours before Miss Darwin came to her
Then that seif-satisfed lady looked as If
She had been reused from her calm.
Come quickly, Lady Hilda." size said
Lady Darel has asked to see you, and
we must not keep her waiting"
What is she like:" asked the young
girl. eagerly
Like no one | have ever seen. She is
MAGNIFICENT, but proud as a queen-proud
er than the Queen of Sheba herself, and
SO beautifully dressed"
i have never seen any one beautifully
dressed in ali my life" said the young gi!'
with Il sigh.
Then holding Miss Darwin's hand
tightly c!asped il her own. she went tc
the large, bare, ill-furnished room called
by courtesy the drawing room. At first
her eyes were daZzled. She saw tall
handsome woman of queenly presence and
1alr. blonde beauty. superb!y dressed. hel
"ilite hands shining with jewels, lady
VINO looked up in naughty surprise as she
entered, but neither moved nor addressed
her.
There were a few moments of awkward
silence then Miss Darwin said
Your ladyshp expressed desire te
see Lady Hilda-she is here"
1hen the arched eyebrows were raised
ana the proud eyes rested on the girl il
silent wonder.
Lady Hilda." she repeated. in tone
OF surprise. II beg pardon-I had no idea,
ana the proud glance fell with senifcan
meaning on the shabby dress and the worl
SHOES. Lady Hilda," she repeated, ''pra,
excuse me, l was so entirely unpreparet
lor-for this kind of thing
ehe waited few moments before givinl
!iei hand to the trembling girl. then bend
lhs her head, she touched the pale fac
with her lips.
lou are surprised to find me so badl..
ufesSeG and without any manners" salt