The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-09-10
CHAPTER xxx.

Without another word the Duchess Lur-
dine turned away with the letter in her
hand. while Lady Hilda sat down with
despair in her heart; it was quite useless
10 say more. her only hope had lain in the
duchess refusal, knowing her dislike to
divorces; now that hope was ended, and
she stood face to face with reality. The
days and weeks were like one dream of
pain to her; the earl came twice and they
talked quite freely of their future before
her; they discussed it, where they should
live, what place they preferred there
were no secrets.
She had read of the extremity of human
suffering; she had read of men being brok-
en- on the wheel, torn on the rack, but it
seemed to her no one had ever suffered as
she did while she listened to them. 1t
must not be. Her temptation was to go
away and leave them, to let them marry,
and hide herself from them forever: but
there was her conscience-she could not
drown it, she could not deafen it. 1t
spoke loudly, and she must listen; her con-
science told her there was but one thing.
only one way, and it was to make herself
known.
The duchess gave elaborate orders for
her trousseau; June passed. it was the mid
die of July, still Lady Hilda had not
found courage to make her appeal. She
must do it. she saw no possible way out
of the difticulty-there was nothing but
death or disclosure. She could not stand
by and see Lord Dunhaven marry the
duchess, while she his wife, was still liv-
ing-that she could not do The only al
tentative was to tell the duchess ali and
throw herself on her mercy-tell her the
truth and then she would see herself that
the marriage was quite impossible.
1t was the end of July when a letter
from the earl announced his coming.
Il hope to be with you tomorrow he
wrote, although my movements are very
uncertain. I am going to Havendale; L
think of asking you to spend our honey
moon there
The duchess read that sentence to Lady
Hilda, who answered never word; she
was stunned by the near approach of the
tragedy.
He likes to surprise me- said Duchess
LuTline. land l want to talk to you about
my marriage You must interest yourself,
You must listen. Although | am just
twenty I cannot dress like Il bride; | sup
pose there can be no pretty veil and
wreath for me. l must have bonnet.
How old shall feel in a bonnet!'
'S'-N'>i'
Lady Hilda had fallen on her knees at
her feet, with passionate tears and pas
sionate cries.
II cannot bear it!' she cried. Oh,
heaven help me to tell her! l cannot
bear it,
The duchess grew very pale and grave.
What is it," she cried. "You frighten
me. Has anything happened to-him"
Such passionate cries, such bitter tears
such u white, woful face!
DO not frighten me- said the duchess;
'"tel me what is wrong Have | grleved
you by speaking of my marriage"
Then the white arms clung around her
and hot rain of tears fell on her.
My darling do not speak, dc not think
of your marriage; it can never be- Let
me tell you. and yet. oh, it would be easier
10 die Lurline, if l could die, l would
if l dared kill myself. | should not tell
you. l would rather have suffered any
death than have lived to tell you this. l
must tell you. Lord Dunhaven spoke
10 you of his wfe-did he not"
That shadow" said the duchess. scorn-
fully. What is she to you, that you
should always think of her?'
Can you not guess, Lurline!'
NO. l cannot guess. What is she to
You. this girl? Why do you sBaak of her:
Do YOU know anything of her? Tell me
You must see that suspense tortures me
DO YOU know her?'
"Yes, know her. Lrrine. All. great
heaven. how well! He told you who she
w&s-Lady Hida Dunhaven. the oic
earl's daughter. Oh, Lurlne, darling. &c
not hate me, do not turn from me. an
hIs wife"
There was one minute of dead silence
then the duchess. all white end tren
hllng unclasped the arms from her necs
ana flung them from her. She sank lhtt
II chair that stood near her.
You! You traitorw she said '1ol
traitor! l will not believe it! You are
not his Wifej