The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-08-20
CHAPTER NNIV.

All day long the sound of those words
dwelt in Lady Hilda's heart like the
sound of sweetest music. He regretted
it. he was sorry for his hardness to her,
for his cruel coldness; he repcnted of
what he had said about her; if the time
We're to come over again he would change
it all. In the midst of her pain. the words
| came to her like a heavenly charm-he
! was sorry; she had never dreamed of COM
fort like this.
The ball was Il brilliant one; quite early
the rooms were filed with a brilliant
crowd. But among all the lovely ladies
present, there was not one to vie with the
duchess and Lady Hilda. Lord Dunhaven
was one of the first arrivals; the duke
appeared in the ball room for half an
hour. then thankfully made his escape
Lord Dunhaven waltZed once with the
duchess then she looked at him with
laughing eyes
at was very pleasant she said. 'but
we must not dance together all night, moEi
ami. This is my ball. and have to please
ever so many tiresome partners
II will obey to the letter every wish you
utter. Duchess. he said II will not ask
you again. but 1 will not dance with any
one else after you.'
Her eyes wandered round the room
they frightened suddenly.
81 will tell you what would pleast me"
she said. "Ask Miss Dunn to dance; does
she not look beautifully"
Beautiful, indeed" he replied. "She
has but one fault and that is she is not
YOU Give me the sweetest flower in your
bouquet before 1 go"
And then he went to Miss Dunn.
She was sitting near u group of Grim
son camillias. and they formed a back
ground to the loveliest picture in the ball
ROOM She held a jeweled fan in her
hand. which rested against her white
breast She was buried in thought and
started when he spoke to her.
.'How beautiful she is" he thought. "If
/ had never seen the Duchess of Nairn. l
should say she was the loveliest woman
in the world. Miss Dunn he said. 81
have come to ask the favor of one waltz
with YOU.
Lady Hilda owned to herself afterward
that she had done an unfortunate thing
in allowing herself that one dance with
her husband. 1t had aroused all the pas
sion and tenderness of her heart and love.
if had aroused the jealousy that was
never to sleep again, the passion that
knew no rest. She found herself watch
ing with a fire of anxiety for his coming,
listening for his voice, counting the hours
that must pass before he came; then when
he came flying from him with shy ewes
and flushed face.
The spring and summer months had
well-nigh passed. There had never been
known a season SO brilliant or so prolons-
ed. Certainly the Duchess of Nairn had
world had been equally delighted with her
friend. Miss Dunn. They We're always
invited together; and as Il rule LAZY Hill
da was considered the more beautiful of
the two.
Lord Dunhayen had more than once
expressed his wonder that Miss Dunn
had remained unwon. He had grown to
admire her very much; her beautiful, no.
bic face; her queenly bearing; her sweet
and gentle wisdom; her noble thoughts
versation: her gifts of mind and intellect
won his profound admiration.
"Miss Dunn" he said one day, 81 can
not tell why it is; but my heart and soul
seem to turn with such confidence to you.
7 should like to tell you the story of my
marriage"
..Of your marriage?" she said "Did
Won love your wife,"
$40. | did not" he answered.
She turned coldly away.
"Then l would rather not hear it, she
said.
Never had Fernhurst looked more
moro beautiful than this summer-of all
cummers it was the most beautiful. When
thev reached home, it was just the time
If roses. and the roses We're all in full
bloom The young duchess was delighted
With her beautiful home; she nodded her
nretty head at Lady Hilda.