Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-10-29

when Peter Lennox and the ladies' Of his
household babe adieu to Erceldean and
departed for town.
One oil the first visitors was the Duke of
Heathland, who was becoming somewhat
restless. He had been patient long enough,
he said to himself; now Miss LenloS must
listen to reason; and he planned thar his
wedding should be the crownins event
OF the season. He waited upon Peter Leu.
noN hrst, at an hour wnen he knew ,i,c
ladies would be from home, and he over
whelmcd the millionaire by the magnifi-
ccnce of his offers as to settlements. The
settlements he offered to make Upon Bca-
trlS were princely in their generosity.
IN that evening there was n state ball
ana iteatriN was going with the Duchess
of Elmslie. Peter Lcnnox was greatly
delighted when he saw the royal invita-
ton. He did not look upon it as II printed
form common to all the invited. 1t seem
ed to him . special recognition of the SER
vices that the royal race of Lennox had
once upon n time rendered to the State.
Lady Ailsa was quite unable to attend, so
1T was arranged that Bcatrix should go
with the duchess.
1t was a memorable evening for the
young girl. Her wonderful beauty drew
special attention to her. More than once
she was congratulated upon what the
speakers chose to term tho happy event.
The Duchess of Elmslic was cxcepy,onally
excited.
My GEAR Rcatrix," she said, "evcry
one is talking about you."
"Ics,' replied BcatriX, but do not
quite understands"
1T is about your marriage with the
duke" said her grace quickly. call Lon
don is talking about it. You arc certainly
a most fortunate girl"
The beautiful face flushed hotly.
ut seems strange" she remarked, "tha.
all London should be talking about a
him that concerns me, vet is news to
me-"
Now, BeatriX,' returned her grace, in
II tone of calm rn1ncnstrancc, lit cannot
he news to you u at you are going to
marry one of the tues lovers n girl has
ever had. Your approaching marriage
with the duke WAS announced in the Court
Journal this n.olnirs."
The duchess started in dismay. The
girls eyes seemed to flash fire as she
turned quickly to her.
WHO dared to do that?" she asked.
"The public, l should imagine" was her
gracc's calm reply. ut is not news to
any IL except yourself; and, Beatrix,
my dear, unless YOU wish to brand your
self before all England, YOU cannot rccede
now-you must marry the duke
but it is Il mistake" she cried-sand
such 81 mistale!."
Most people would call the error n very
fortunate one. But l will say no more
upon the mattcr-I leave it to Others"
said the duchess wisely. And not another
word coull Bcatrix cNtort from her.
The little paragraph in the Court Jour-
nal had been copied and recopied. One OF
the first to see it was Beltran Carcw,
who had just returned from Athens.
His mother folded the paper and placed
it on the table so that he could not avoid
seeing it, and then with kindly c%onsidcra-
ton left him To read it alone. She went
back in half an hour and found him with
his head bent over the paper and his face
hidden. She was almost shocked at the
terrible change in his face when he raised
it to he's. lie laughed Il low, bitter laugh
that made her heart ache as she listened.
"Ihat shows me, mother, how 1 have
deceived myself" lie said. 81 thought l
had scloolcd myself even to meet her and
not care. Why. l find that l nave been
living upon love-and here is my death
warrant. 1t was the duke she cared for.
after ALL"
"Pcrhals," said Mrs. Carew, coolly.
"It is certain. You have read this?
You see what the paper says, mothcr::'
II have seen some very glaring I'M
truths evcn in the most veracious jour
nails" she said; and then looking ut him,
she asked: do you love Miss Lcnnox so
very dearly, my boy|
II love her SO well, mother, that the life
almost dies within me when l think of her
as belonging 10 another. love her SO
well that whci: she marrics that man 1
shall go to Africa and never come back.
l cannot live without her"
The handsome face was covered with
his hands. and he sat silent. Mrs. Carcw
looked ut him for Il few Minutes.
"Beltran," she said. Sitting there with
white face and lack-luster eyes will not
help you. l have a suggestion to make.
Go and sec Miss LennoX and ask her if
he announcement is true. Ii she saws
Yes YOU must do the best you cam with
your life; il she says No. win her. After
all, what is n little gold or a long pedigree
compared to the true, real. pure love of
II a heart as yours? Go and learn
your fate from her own lips, Bcltran, and
abide by tina, fate. let it be what it may"
II WILL he replied; and in her sweetest
voice MIS-. Carew responded:
Heaven speed you, my son"
She stood musing for n short time after
he had Quilted the room-musing. with Il
strange expression on her facc-and thcn
to herself she said, ut was II strange fate
that brought this about, but l forcscc the
end"
(To be continucd.)