Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-07-17
CHAPTER XXlY.

OI One WIN tnuu"s nc"'en iVs e''
gift.
CHAPTER XX1v.
All day long the sound Of those words
dwclt In Lady Hilda's heart like the
sound Of sweetest music. He regretted
Il, he was sorry for his hardness to her,
for his cruel coldness; he repcnted OF
what he had said about her; II the time
were TO come over again he would change
II all. In the midst Of her pain, the words
came TO her like a heavenly charm-ho
was sorry; she had never dreamed OF com.
fort like this.
The ball was brilliant one; quite carly
the rooms were filled with a brilliant
crowd. But among all the lovely ladies'
present, there was not one to vie with the
duchess and Indy Hilda. Lord Dunhaven
was one Of the first arrivals; the duke
appeared In the ball room for half IN
hour. then thankfully made his escape.
Lord Dunhaven waltxed once with the
duchess. then she looked at him with
laughing eyes.
ut was very pleasant" she said, "but
We must not dance together all night, mon
ami. This IL my ball. and have TO please
ever 80 many tircsome partners"
II will obey to the letter every wish you
utter. Duchess" he said. II will not ask
you again, but I will not dance with any
one else after you"
Her eyes wandered round the room
they frightened suddenly.
II will tell you what would please me"
she said. ASK Miss Dunn TO dance; does
she not look beautifully"
beautiful, indeed" he replied. "She
has but one fault and that Ii she II not
you. Give me the sweetest flower In your
bouquet before co."
And then he went TO Miss Dunn.
She was sitting near q group Of Grim.
son camiilias. and they formed q back.
ground to the loveliest picture In the ball
room. She held q jewelcd fan In her
hand. which rested against her white
breast. She was buried In thought and
started when he spoke to her.
"H0w beautiful she IT," he thought. III
| had never seen tho Duchess Of Marin,
should shy she was the lovcliest woman
| In the world. Miss Dunn" he said, II
have come to ask the favor Of one waits
with yOu."
Lady Hilda owned to herself afterward
that she had done an unfortunate thing
In allowing herself that one dance with
her husband. 1t had aroused all tho pas.
sion and tenderness Of her heart and love,
II had aroused the jealousy that was
never TO sleep again, the passion that
knew no rest. She found herself watch.
Ing with a fire Of anxiety for his coming,
listening for his voice, counting the hours
that must pass before he came; then when
he came. flying from him with shy eyes
and a flushed face.
The spring and summer months had
well-nigh passed. There had never been
known q season so brilliant or 10 prolOng.
cd. Certainly the Duchess Of Marin had
been It's most brilliant ornament, and the
world had been equally delighted with hei
friend, Miss Dunn. They were always
invited together; and as a rule LAZY Hill
da was considered the more beautiful Of
the two.
Lord Dunhaven had more than once
expressed his wonder that Miss Dunn
had remained unwOn. He had grown tC
admire her very much; her beautiful, no
BILE face; her Queenly bearing; her sweet
and gentle wisdom: her noble thoughts
and ideas: her wonderful powers Of con
versatiOn; her gifts Of mind and intellec,
won his profound admiration.
"Aliss Dunn" he said one day, II can
not tell why Il 10; but my heart and SOU
seem to turn with such confidence to you
! should like to tell You the story Of my
marriage"
"Of your marrIage'" she said. "Dit
You love your wife?"
mo, l did not" he answered.
She turned coldly away.
"Then would rather not hear It," sht
said.
Never had Fernhurst looked NOR,
more beautiful than this summer--of al
summers II was the most beautiful. Wher
they reached home, II was Just the tims
Of roses, and the roses were all In full
bloom. The young duchess was delighted
with her beautiful home: she nodded bel
pretty head at Lady Hilda.
"rhat Is a home worth marrying for,
she said.
But the next moment her beautiful face
had clOuded over, and she looked thought
full. They spent whole days In looking
round the magnificent mansion, with III
superb grounds; and then the duchess
with a sigh of content, declared that sh'
should be quite happy to live there unit
the London season began again.
The duke had not been sparing In hi
invitatiOns-a large party was expected
The duchess said. with a well-please,
smile, they should not be alone for on,
day. The first installment of visitor
was the Earl of Dunhaven; Lady STAINS
a beautiful young widow; Captain Yer
non. the heir presumptive to an earldOm
; Lord and Lady Alcaster-a well-selecte,
party, with every element of enjoyment
Ten days passed like short, brigh
dreams. They all met at breakfast; thel
J the duke went out In closed carriage
not asking his wife to 20 with him now
She rode, drove or walked with the Vlh
J ers. but It always happened that he
companion was Lord Dunhaven. He sail
she did not ride well, and he must give he
some lessons; so that three or four morn
ings each week they would start OFF t
gallop through the green lanes roun'
Fernhurst.
They were fatally sweet, those hour
spent In the summer sunshine-fatall
sweet. They We're both so sure Of them