The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-10-01
CHAPTER V.

en- Stella again awoke to conscious
She SAW the sunshine of Il summer
noon streaming in at her window.
it my birthday" she asked simply.
a. didn't we go to Langsdnle Abbey! ~
then. sitting UP in her bed, very
AMI white and wan, she stretched
er lremulous hands and asked:
here is my watch:'
ere. darling" answered Betsy. TAX
little morocco case from the dress
hblc, delighted to be able to crafty
aticnr There's your pretty watch.
by isn't it pretty one! And amt
u"ily to have Il watch, just like Il
h.up young lady!'
weak little hands wavered as they
Ahc watch, the exhausted frame sank
ess on the bed, but the child held the
h before her eyes all the time, and
frc.nulous fingers contriyed to open
ase.
ead it, she said, family: and Betsy
Ed out the inscription, "To Stella,
her adopted father, Lashmar." "Oh.
Hit beautiful exclaimed Betsy, anl
Eshe began to cry.
hoosh, dear" she murmured, patting
bis shoulder, go to sleep, my pet, till
hoctor comes to see you. Let Betsy
khe petty watch under your pillow.
tlon't want to sleep any more; want
et up and be dressed; you know it's
Birthday and I am to be all day with
Iashmar. How late the sunshine
like afternoon. Have l oversight
Mr."
lou have been very i'll, very i'll. dear,
Sered Betsy in Il soothing. preachy-
ehy tone. which is peculiarly eXaspcr-
to an intellectual child, you are
b too weak to get up"
but it's my birthday" urged Stella.
a am to dine with his lordship.'
Hy poor pet, your birthday was ten
ago. week before the funeral an
led Betsy.
e word was spoken unawares. The
fnspiring, much-discussed event of
yfuneral-a stately and imposing cere-
bal. including all the dismal grandeur
ke old school and all the floral decora
of the new-had been in everybody's
kh at Lashmar Castle for the last six
1t was the standard by which time
rccfoned.
Ghat funeral?" cried Stella, starting
her bed with Il scared look. who
Fad: Not Mr.. Werner? Oh, he was
pod to me. He is not dead, is he?'
) Eo dear, no; Mr.. Vernon is quite we'll.
wasn't hurt at all, poor, dear gentle
y answered Betsy, assuming cheer
less amidst her tears. you were
my poor precious. You fell on your
] little head"
leila gave scream and flung her arms
bd Retsy's neck. Memory returned in
Rsh.
4'he horses" she cried; ''yes, remem-
I Oh! those dreadful horses. Lord
hm;l drove so well; but thought We
ke going to be killed. He was not
Il, WIS he? Ask him to come to me; /
bit 10 see Lord Lashmar, directly, di-
fly
lord Lashmar is out, love- said the
Ehtcpcd Betsy; Lord Lashmar has
he to Rrumm for the day, on particular
eincsS.'
was true. Betsy felt she had salts
her charge and saved her soul from
burden of a lie. 1t was literal truth
ich she had spoken and yet for Stella
NaS moi the truth; for Stella it was Il
serab'e. mocking lie.
'he was not satisfied, but lay back up
her pillow too exhausted to struggle.
lay moaning, Il want to see Lord
shmlr. When will he be back? Oh!
en, when. when?"
'hc sahbed herself into feverish, rest
slumber: and she was delirious again
Il llHit. From this condition she was
used l'y the howling of Il summer
I'm IN the great oaks, and the sharp
lie Of the rain against the easement.
Is time Betsy was not at hand to be
aslloned. Stella looked about the room
nder'ngly, slowly coming back from
slowly recognizing the facts
the external world.
he deer leading into the sitting room
$ half open. and there were people
klnS; she had heard their voices amidst
rattle of the rain and the bluster Of
Storm
Shall you send her away?" asked
MY Foice. rich and full, n voice that
$ not altogether unfamiliar. 1t was
!. her henefactor's, but stronger, fuller.
No, : shall keep her here. l consider
IL Il sacred duty, for poor Hubert's
ie' tut l shall try to repair his SAD
stake III the manner of rearing her.
I'll bring her up as Il child of the lower
>Ses ought to be brought up. shall
III Ter to be useful, brcadwinner
"lis o'her bread winners"
90 we'll did Stella know this second
zee. these wera the SOnorOrS tones Of
IL terrible parsonage whom she had met
M ti:ne to time in the corridors or in
gardens, and who had always scowlei
ier and passed her by in naughty ST
'e. She knew the face and figure to
tcil lie voice belonged, the tall and
,ely form, the strongly marked brows
i aIuiline nose.
hather rough upon her, poor little
t,rh' after having been so pampered.'
y : nat is poor Hubert's fault, not mine
.,ei we her ladyship coldly.
zen. 1t was one Of those silly things
~" your very clever men are apt to
SAD the other voice. Il took an in
s' 'hsilke to the brat from the hour
= - i-asa brought her home, like some
~ hiongrel and not half SO interesting.
: were You l should clear her out OF
'hstIe as soon as she is well enough
""use: pack her off to one of those in
Die institutions for rearing up beg
"Ftls in the fear of their spiritual pas
y ana masters, upon sound conserva-
principles. You'll get rid of a nui-
'''' ard there Will be better chance