Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-07-31
CHAPTER xxx.

A year and some months had passed
since the death Of the Duke Of Marin.
The beautiful, smiling spring had come
round again. and during all this time
the young duchess and Lady Hilda had
resided at Holmdale.
II had not been an unpleasant time.
The world spoke highly Of the duchess;
her widOwhOOd had been time Of quiet
and retirement: they had asked but few
friends TO see them-their time had been
given chiefly to study and reading. Both
were now accomplished women. and Lady
llilda often told I.urline q little wisdom
sat gracefully on her golden head.
They seldom spoke Of the tragedy Of
the past or Of the earl. but the duchess
was more grateful to her friend than II
she had saved her from violent death.
II can never prove my gratitude to
you," she said one day: ut lies too deep
for words. would share my fortune
with you II you would take Il: would
give you Holmdale II you would have IL;
but you will do neither Of these things
How, then, must ] prove my gratitude?
! may say 40 the king said. Ask Of me
what you will. even should Il be the half
Of my kingdom. and will give It to
YOU"
Lady Hilda smiled. 1.-THE day may
come." she said, "when ! shall ask q
grace from you-when II does. remember
what you have said"
II shall remember" said the duchess.
"Ah. Mamie. had you been Ave minutes
later would have started on that terrible
journey-and there would have been no
return"
But they spoke Of It seldom and tried to
forget Il.
The beautiful, pure air, the quiet, the
rest. the carly hours, had given to each Of
them extra beauty. Lady Hilda had gain.
cd In her superb beauty and the duchess
had gained In loneliness. Then when the
hedges were all white and pink with haw.
thorne, when the IRE Of the laburnunl
CLEANED, and the snOw-whitc acacia was
In flower, when the roses were budding
and the fair earth lay In the golden
light Of the sun. Lord Dunhaven came
to Holmdale.
"You must not be angry with me-" he
said, as he bent over the fair hand OF
the duchess. II have stayed away from
you % long ~ could. could not helu
myself was compelled to come"
She trembled very much when she saw
him; but he was full Of hope.
"My darling" he said. II know We did
wrOng-at least did. for ! tempted you
but We have repented. No harm came
Of Il, thanks to one who was our guard.
Ian angel. We have repented very sin.
cerely-yOu In silence aud seclusion, ! Ia
trying to do good. May We not hope now
that heaven has pardOned us? After GU,
hard suffering, may We not have some
little happiness? Let us begin our friend
ship-let me be your friend"
30 Il was settled; once more compact
OF friendship was made between them
Lady Hilda was out when he arrived; she
was startled on her return to see him
seated In the drawing room as though he
had been there for years. He sprang t.
meet her with delight In his face; no had
grown to think Of her as the noblest and
grandest woman In the world. He held
out his hands to her In warmest greeting
but her face grew white as death, and
all sound Of words died on her lips.
II have startled YOU" he said; "pray
forgive me-"
He drew a chair and made her sit down
"How rash ! am." he said, looking II
wonder at that white face. "Say 20,
forgive me. Miss Dunn. and are glad Il
see me-"
II am much pleased to see you," sh'
said, but her impulse was to cry out; "Oh
Leonard, ! am Hilda, your wife. Kis
me. take me In your arms-I am you
wife,"
She restrained the impulse; but tn
look that went from her eyes to his wa
SO strange that II startled him.
; II am only here for few hours" h
said. II leave for town tonight; but
can win an invitation from the duches
and can win your help In the way ] wan
: 1t hope to come again. Will you fn'
! five minutes for me before 20 tonight 2
! And those five minutes she found 70
him, while the duchess went to dress 70
drive with him. They stood on tn
lawn, close to a great laburnum tree
while he talked to her; she held one o
the long golden tresses In her hands.
"Once," he said, "you played the par
of a guardian angel to me. God bles
you for that nights action; YOU save
Q US from worse than death; now ! wan