The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-09-10
CHAPTER XXXu.

The Countess of Dunhaven had spent
year at Havendale, and during that year
she had made herself much beloved. Lady
Darel remained with her; they were the
best of friends. Lady Hilda yielded to
her, tended her, nursed her when she was
sick, amused her when she was well, un.
til her ladyship had grown SO fond OF
her sons wife that she could not bear to
be parted from her
How mistaken l was over you, Hilda!.
she said; Il can never forgive myself"
At last her gentle wisdom, her patience,
her submission, We're rewarded. The day
came-a bright June day-when Leonard,
Earl of Dunhaven, once more sought his
home. He had schooled himself he had
made the best use Of his lfe's discipline!
he longed to be at home and to interest
himself in his various duties once more
He had thought a great deal about his
wife-perhaps one great charm lay in the
words "his wife" How we'll she had Low.
ed him, how generous she had been in Civ.
ing up her fortune that he might enjoy it,
how self-sacrifcing she had been in leav.
ing him, how through all those years she
had loved him. how she must have suffer
ed when she saw his love given to an
other!
She was beautiful-more queenly than
the duchess; she was of a higher and
nobler nature, yet he had loved the duch-
ess well. She was not heart-broken; he
had heard of her in Paris; it was said that
great Russian prince was in love with
her, and would most probably reward her
He had heard that rumor, and though at
first it had panied him, he had come tG
think that it was, after all, the best thing
On this bright June day he went to
Havendale to seek a reconciliation with
his wife. She had gone out, Lady Dare]
said, to her favorite spot. the great willow
down by the lake; she liked to sit there
and watch the clear water. He went
after her. and the first intimation thai
Lady Hilda had of his coming was that
he was by her side.
She looked beautiful as dream, in 9
long dress of soft, creamy silk, with blush
roses in her hair and on her breast. She
uttered no cry when she saw him com.
ing; his coming there was but the full
illment of a dream.
"Hilda," he said, taking both her hands
in his, my dear wife, l have come back
to seek reconciliation with you. Will
you forgive me all the pain and sorrow
caused you?"
1t was the hour she had foreseen in he1
Dreams
"Will you let me. by the devotion of my
whole life atone to you for the misery of
these past years? l bring you q true,
honorable love, dear; bring you true
heart. Will you try me, Hilda? l have
learned to love you at last"
Words sweeter in her ears than song
of birds, words for which she had prayed
and longed-the time had come at last,
after all her suffering and all her pain.
| For answer she raised her white arms
| and laid them on his neck; she raised her
| face and kissed his lips.
Heaven has been very good to me-
she said; Il am quite content"
| They Went to Italy for their honey.
moon. While they We're there there came
the wedding cards of the Duchess OF
Nairn, who. after much persuasion, had
married the Russian prince.
| Hilda was happy all the rest of hei
life: for now. in very truth, indeed, the
| thorn was taken from her heart.
fIhe enu,)