Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-05-29
CHAPTER ".

Inc picture Ot inc gloomy house, tne
bare. ribbed sand. the dull. gray sea. went
with Lady Hilda from the old life to tho
new; went with her To the end of her
days. She stood on the morning of her
departure from Hurst Sea. bidding fare
well to the sea. her only living friend.
The journey from Hurst Sea to London
was Lady uilda's first experience In life.
This was the world thcn-tlashing bright.
gay of music and perfume. full of color
and warmth. full Of laughter and song
this was tho world she had dreamed OF in
her gray. silent home.
Then they reached London, and II was
well for Lady Darcl's peace of mind that
surprise and astonishmcnt had made the
young girl spccchlcss. Tho vast size of
tho great city. the crowds Of people. the
endless line Of lights. all bcwildcrcd her
and struck her dumb. Lady Darcl began
10 congratulate herself on having taught
her charge something Of good manners ut
last. She had seen London. yet had no
questions to ask.
Another week and Lady Iliidn began to
grow accustomed to her new life. Lady
Darcl would have everything on rcgic for
her. She purchased u very pretty and ex.
tcnsivc wardrobe for her: she hired a
n
and caring less for the torture this must
innict on her protcgc: she purchased n
horse and insisted that she should take
riding lessons.
She worked as few girls work. In after
life she called this her transition year.
She passed from lonely. miserable child
hood into gay and brilliant slrlhood. She
was industry itself: she rose and worked
A.. l.,s, tod st., al
drawing. she took lessons In dancing.
was compelled to praise her, and say that
she was doing well.
One by one the months passed. and tho
great hope of her life had not come tn her
no one loved hcr. She was urged al
Yays by Lady Darcl 10 remain In the
drawing room when visitors came, 10 she
acauuintnnccs of tho hour. She liked some
of them, aud dislikcd others; hut no one
had said yet, II love you, Hilda." Yet
day By day. this longing for love incrcns'
| ed. Between herself aud Lady DaSsl
there came an armed peace---as for OK.
pccting love from that proud and stately
lady, she never venturcd to think Of It.
The only person she had seen yet whom
she felt inclined to love was tho man
whom her fathers will compelled her "a
marry. She had never seen him since
| they parted Oh the sands at Hurst Sea
He had written to Lady Darel. telling hel
| that he had gone to Join some friends on
q cruise to Norway, that he did not expect
| to return until the year was ended, then
he should decide whether he would 20 "a
| Australia or remain In England. OF one
thing he was quite sure-he would nevel
marry tho Lady Iilda Dunhaven.
| Lady Darel said nothing of this to heI
young charge, who wondered day by day
why she did not see the earl. She asked
the question Mt last, and Lady Darel wal
not sorry that she did so.
"Wherc IL Lord Dunhaven?" she said
"Why does he not come to see youy'
MY son has gone with some friends tc
Norway" was the brief reply; and even
that set hcr heart quite ut rest.
She knew nothing of a lovers love. THU
neglected girl; she wove no romance abou
the handsome earl; she did not fancy her
self In love with him; but he had been kline
to her, and she lOnged to see him again
He had made the only CLEAN OF brightness
In her life, and she longed for home.
She was simple and innocent as q child
She never forgot that she was to MARI!
him. but Of married life she knew nothing
Talk to her of love, she understood; sh'
was kecniy alive, kcenly sensitive; tall
to her of marriage, her ideas were al
vague and Uniformed. Lady Darel wa
true to her trust. as in her pr0ud way sh'
would DO truc to anything. She neve
tried to influence the girl; she never men
toned tho marriage to her: In her owl
mind she had not decided whether she hal
wished for II or not. She went to tn
young girls room ono morning.
"Hilda. when are You seventeen?"
"On the second of June, Lady Darel.
was tho answer.
MY son comes home on the 10th o
May; then, l suppose, we shall have thi
business settled. Have you thought o
it, Hilday"
The fair, girlish face dropped, while no
bushes came over 1t.
II have thought of It. but II seems 4
me like dark dream from which drea'
waking" she replied, and Lady Dare
said no more; "dark dreams" were not Il
her line.
(To be cOntnued)