Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-04-23
CHAPTER XV-lContinucd.)

Sf1aflEN
The sounds in the house died away. She
fancied she heard the door of her fathers
little private room open and shut. Was
Paul talking to him now? She snt down,
leaned her elbows on her dressing table,
and clasped her hands over her face. Ev-
cry nerve was tense with excitement and
emotion. Presently a knock came to the
door.
"Miche. Niche" said the voice of one
of the children. "papa wants you in the
library-quick"
The moment had come. then! Michele
gave her hands a sort of impatient ncrv-
GUS twist. turned a little pale. and went
dow to the library. She could not lift
her eyes when she entered. Eastlake
was no, there. Mrs. Dumarcsq took her
daughters hand and drew her toward
her chair.
well. Michcllc," said MIR. Dumarcsq,
gravcly. hut with n suspicion of amusc-
mcnt in his face which tho girl could not
see. II suppose you know that Paul East
AXE has been talking to me-"
Michelie's lips moved. hut she could
not utter a word.
ut seems that he does not consider you
the child that wc have thought YOU to be.
You are very young. Michele, to have Won
the affection of II man like MIR. Eastlake.
and l hope YOU will value it. l under
stand from him that you-you-- Do
yon care for him, d%arling:'
Michele leaned her head on her moth
ers shoulder and whispered IL reply which
MIR. Dumaresq did not catch. His wife
looked at him over the girls head and
nodded.
I'm that case" he said. as if he had
heard her answer. 1.-The only objection
that We can possibly have is that of age.
We have The highest opinion of Paul
EaStlakc. and should trust You to him
with all our hearts. But you are very
young
III shall grow older" mum.mured Mi
chelle. whose courage was returning.
"AeS. YOU will grow Older said her
father. smiling, ''but in the meantime.
Tor n year or so, l think there had better
he. no public engagement. OF course you
ana taul will understand each other, and
as hc-he makes some objection to this
tlnne OF Waiting. i have yielded one point.
-FOUR mother will probably take the chill
drcn TO England in May. think that YOU
need not therefore leave Egypt before she
goes"
"Oh. papa. thank your Michele lifted
mp her face with a sweet. bright light
upon ii. lit would he very hard to 90
away just now"
Would it: Well" Mr.. Dumareso
looked at his wife rather queerly-.it is
odd TO hear tho child talking like that,
isn't it. Charlotte: Michele. 1 can't have
any nonsense. you know. You must br
careful what YOU do. l will leave YOUR
mother 10 talk to you more in detail: l
only want to remind you now that YOU
are not to consider yourself engaged to
Paul at present. And now. my dear.
come and give mo Il kiss. and he a good
girl for the future"
Tile took her into his arms and kissed
her. ".;d Mrs. DumarcSq shed Il few tears
and kissed her. too. and so Michele felt
herself forgiven. And in IL minute or
tw" Paul wasewith them again. and there,
We're. for tho girl at least. some moments
of uhall"yrd happiness. Eastlake protest
ed rather strongly against the year of pro.
baton on which Mr.. Dumareso insisted.
and prevailed in the course of a week or
two in reducing the time to six months.