Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-12-31
Miss L'Estrange yourself"

Miss L'Estrange yourself"
Lord Arleigh's face flushed hotly.
"Then everyone Us you put 1t, Sir
Alfred. takes q great liberty-an unau-
thorizcd liberty-with the name of a very
charming lady. Miss L'Estrange and my
self were much together when children
our mothers were distantly related-and
ut h present time we ar-excellent
friends"
Il am sorry" returned Sir Alfred, "if I
have said anything to annoy you. I
thought the fact was as evident as the sun
ut MONDAY: everyone in London believes
it,"
"Then people take an u~nwarrantable
liberty with the lady's name,'' said Lord
Arleigh.
ly impertinent drawl. that he did not be-
lieve Miss L'Estrange would consider it
a liberty. A flash from Lord Arleigh's
dark eyes silenced him.
A few minutes aftcrward Lord Arleigh
found the Duchess of .Aytoun and Phil
ippa seated underneath a large acacia-
tree. Captain Gresham, Il great ~favorite
i'll the London world, was by Philippians
side. The duchess, with a charming ges-
ture of invitation. made room for Lord
Arlcigh by her side. The gallant captain
dd not often find an opportunity of max
ing love to the belle of the season. Now
thai he had found it he was determined
not to lose it--not for fifty Lord .Arleighs.
So, while the duchess talked to the new
conner, he relentlessly pursued his conve
sation with Miss L'Estrange.
There was but one music i'll the world
Tor her. and that was the music of Lord
.Arleigh's Voice. Nothing could ever drown
that for her. The band was playing. the
captain talking, the duchess conversing,
Ill her gay, animated fashion: but above
all. clearly and distinctly, Philippa heard
every word that fell from Lord .Arlcigh's
lips. although he did not know it. He be-
lleved that she was. as she seemed to be,
listening to the captain.
Il nave pleasing news concerning you,
Lord Arleigh," said the duchess. II won
der If 1 may congratulate you:"
What is it? l do not know of any
thing very interesting concerning myself"
he Notwithstanding. l am sure, that
calls for congratulations"
You are modest said the duchess:
but L have certainly heard. and on good
authority. too, that you are about to be
married."
II can only say 1 was not in the least
aware OF It, he rejoined.
The duchess raised her parasol and look.
ed kcenly ut him.
Pray pardon me-" she continues; "do
not think that it is from mere curiosity
that 1 ask the question. Is there really
no truth in the report?"
Nom whatever" he replied. 81 have
no moro idea Of being married than 1 have
OF sailing this IN for the Cape"
1T is strange" said the duchess, mus
ingly; Il had the information from such
good authority, too"
There can be no better authority on
the subject" said Lord .Arleigh, laughing
ly, than myself"
Yes, admit that. Well. as the ice is
broken, Lord -Arleigh. and we are old
friends, L may ask, why do you not mar
ry?'
Simply because of marriage. and of
love that ends in marriage. l have not
thought he answered lightly.
1T is time for vol to begin" observed
the duchess; my own impression is that
a man does no good in the world until
he is married" And then she added: 81
suppose o have an ideal of woman
hood?"
Lord Arleigh's face flushed.
YES" he acknowledged. II have an
ideal of my own. derived from poetry l
have read. from pictures 1 have seen-an
ideal of perfect grace. lovelincss and pur-
ity. When l meet that ideal, 1 shall meet
my fate"
"Then YOU have never yet seer the
YOU would like to marry?" pur-
sued the duchess.
NO. he answered. quite seriously;
'tstrange to say, although I nave seen
some of the fairest and noblcst types of
w%omanhood, l have not yet met with my
IDEAL"
They were disturbed by n sudden move
ment-the flowers that Philippa held in
her hand had fallen to the ground.
ITO be continued.0