Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-12-31
IX

Lord Arlcigh raised his hat from his
brow and stood for IL few minutes bare
headed in the starlight. He felt like Il
man who had been in the sitting atmos
phere of a c~onscrvatory; warmth and
perfume had daZcd him. How beautiful
Thilippa was-how bewildering! What n
namelesS, wontrous charm there WAS
about her!
II can believe now in the sirens OF DID,
he said to himself; they must have had
just such dark. glowing eyes, such rich,
sweet voices and beautiful faces. 1 should
pity the man who hopelessly loved Phil
ippa L'Estrangc. And, if she ever loves
any one. it will be easy for her to win;
who could resist hcr?'
How little he dreamed that the whole
passionate love of her heart was given
to himself-that to win from him one word
of love. Il single token of affection, she
would have given all that she had in the
world.
Philippa L'Estrange thought long and
earnestly over her last conversation with
Lord .Arlcigl. She had always loved him:
but the chances are that, if he had been
devoted to her on his return. if he had
wooed her as others did. she would have
been less empressee. AS it was, he was
the only man she had not conquered, the
only one who resisted her. OH whom her
destinations fell without producing n
magical effect. She could not say she had
conquered her world while he was unsrb-
duel.
The more she saw of him the better she
liked him-his single-mindedness, his chiy-
airy. his faith in women and his respect
for them. We're greater than she had seen
Ill any other, and she loved him for these
qualities. The more she contra stcl him
with others, the greater, deeper and wide.
grew her love. 1t must be that in time he
should care for her.
Lord .Arleigh did not go to Bcechgrove
as he had intended. He found so many
friends and so many engagements in Lon
don tina he was not inclined to leave it.
Then. too, he began to notice many lit
tie things which made him feel uncom-
Portable. He began to perceive that peo-
pie considered him in some kind of way
as belonging to Miss L'Estrange; no mat
ter how many surrounded her. when he
entered n room they were seen one by
one to disappear until he was left alone
by her side. AT first he believed this to be
accidental: after a time he knew that it
must he purposely done.
Aic WV WAY StAA I oDtItI one
day when IL large and fashionable crowd
had gathered at Lady Dnlton's garden
party. Philippa was, as heretofore. the
belle. looking more than usually lovely in
a light gossamer dress of white and pink,
She was surrounded by admirers. Lord
-Arleigh stood with Il group of gentlemen
under II great spreading beechtree.
How beautiful she is, that Miss LES
TRANCE" said one-Sir Alfred Martindale,
II can believe in the siege of Troy when
1 look at her: and l think it Just as well
for mankind that such women are rare"
IF ever there was a human moth,' OBJ
served another. lit is that unfortunate
Duke of Mornton. / have seen some des-
perate cases in my time, but none so des-
perate as his"
Lord Arleigh laughed. They were all
intimate friends.
1.-The Duke of Mornton is a great friend
Of mine." he said. Il can only hone thar
lie may he saved from the ultimate fate
of a moth, and that Miss L'Estrange will
take pity on him."
He could not help seeing that the three
gentlemen looked up with expressions of
utter wonder.
"Do you mcan," asked Sir Alfred. that
YOU hope Miss L'Estrange will marry the
duke:'
u do not think she could do better"
replied Lord Arleigh.
You are the last man in London 1
should have expected to hear say so." said
Lord Alfred. quietly.
Am 1? Pray may I ask why?'
"ics. if YOU acqnit me of all intention
of rudcness in my reply. 1 repeat that
You are the last man in London whom
should have expected to hear make such
Il remark. for the simple reason thut ~.
cryone believes you are going to mayry