The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-07-16
ci4HPTER V.

1}1ockthorn House was the name of a
.orr beautiful mansion in London that
adv Dare had taken for the year; it
uas looking its brightest and best now;
ant on the pretty veranda the mignonette,
thc scarlet verbena, the purple heliotropes
stood in great rich clusters. From the
Iorce open windows one caught sight of
tbe trees in the park, the CLEAN of the
Golden laburnum, the pink and white of
,bo hawthorn, the rich ripping foliage of
Mo fall green trees. People had a fash
a i'm of telling Lady Darel how they envied
her the beautiful views from the Win
dows. The drawing room-a long, lofty,
nxnuisite room-opened on to the veranda,
where the sweet bright flowers bloomed;
Il was an exquisite room, bright, light,
4 cheerful and beautifully arranged. There
nm this eventful twentieth of May stood
q Lady Hlda Dunhaven, awaiting the pres
a onco of the man she had been enjoined to
d marry.
Meanwhile he was holding conversa-
q tiou with his lady mother. They had
3 taken luncheon together, so as to have an
81 oppyrtunity of talking. He was quite un-
4 willing at first to broach the subject; he
b talked about his travels, and when he
roud saw no more he threw himself back
in the chair.
"Now. mother" he said, "about this
matter which has brought me to England
this absurd WILL
81 have never dared to think of it,
Leonard" said Lady Darel.
"And have never cared to think of it, -
4 he replied, ''but the time has come when
the question must be decided l want
the money, yet cannot make up my mind
TO marry that child. l should like my
wife to be a refined, accomplished, spirit
nellie woman--this child will never be
that"
Il have done my best with her: she is
Improved She has good disposition and
refined mind. Lady Hilda is in the draw
ing room," said the mother, and without
another word he went to join her.
She looked up as he entered, with lit
tie low cry, and the first sight of her dis
armed his impatience. The tall, slender
figure, with it's promise of future beauty;
the fair, sad girlish face, the sweet, sad
eyes: and how wondrously the face bright
ened at the sight of him.
He had meant to speak but few words,
md those of the coolest, but he was a
man of tender heart; he held out his hand
to her in greeting; he smiled in her up
raised face; he almost forgot that he in
tended to be cold; and all because of the
sudden light that had come into her face
when she saw him.
As for her, in the sunlight of his smile
her whole nature seemed to find warmth
and freedom, as snow wreath melts un-
der the glance of the sun.
Il am so glad to see you," she said. and
her face carried out her words. GLOW
long have you been away, Lord Dun
haven? l am so pleased to welcome you
home"
Il thank you for your welcome" he
said.
Then came few moments of silence;
his task was more ungracous still; how
was be to tell this child, who seemed so
reiofed to see him, that he preferred
beggary for himself and for her rather
than marry her? She seemed to feel quite
at home with him, and talked to him with
a freedom that astonished him.
She placed chair near the open Win
dow for him-the rare, sweet perfume of
the heliotrope came in like greeting:
the warm western wind brought mes
sages from every flower that bloomed.
Am to sit here. Lady Hilda, and tell
YOU about Norway? All, me, l ought to
talk to you about something far less
pleasant"
Less pleasant" she repeated, gravely.
Yes far less pleasant. l think we had
better discuss the question, had we not!'
''Will it require much discussion" she
said. II think few words will settle it. y
He looked at her keenly.
You are the lady," he said; 'you ought
to be allowed the first choice and the first
speech in the matter. That did not occur
TO me before, but l see it now. Tell me.
if you had to decide this question yourself,
how would you decide it?'
Again the young face was covered with
hot bushes. and turned shyly from him.
Il should decide it so that you should
have the money!" she said, gently, and
there was a short silence.
Then you would have the marriage
take place?" he said.
She thought for few moments, then
she said:
IF we were married as the will said,
should be always with you?''
81 suppose So" was the Indifferent re-
ply
The light that came on her face was
beautiful even in his eyes.
Then if l may be always with you, l
should choose that the marriage take
place, and you have all the money" she
answered shyly, and without raising her
eyes to him.
And thus they became betrothed.