Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-05-07
be centered on her golden hair and shining

be conferred on her golden hair and shining
dress. He said:
II have brought the little parcel, Elinorr
thinking that you would prefer to give your
beautiful present TO Pauline herself. But
he continued, "why are you standing, my
lover You will be tired"
She raised her fair, troubled face to his,
with q smile.
Moreover, it seems to me that you are
looking anxious" he resumed. Miss Hast
ings, will you come here, please? Is this an
anxious look on Lady Darrell's faceg"
III hope not" said the governess, with a
gentle smile.
Then Sir Oswald brought q chair, ard
placed his wife in it; he next obtained a
footstool and q small table. Lady Darrell,
though half-ashamed of the feeling, could
not help being thankful that Pauline did not
notice these lover-like attentions.
Now, Miss Hastings" spoke Sir Oswald,
81 want you to admire Lady Darrelps taste"
He opened the parcel. 1t contained a mo-
rocco case, the lid of which, upon a spring
being touched, few back, exposing a beauti-
full suite OF rubles set in pale gold.
Miss Hastings uttered Il little cry of de-
light.
"How very beautiful She said.
"Yes," responded Sir Oswald, holding
them up to the light, they are, indeed. l
am sure we must congratulate Lady Darrell
upon her good taste. | suggested diamonds
or pearls, but she thought rubies so much bet
ter suited TO Pauline's dark beauty. and she
is quite right"
Lady Darrell held up the shining rubies
with her white fingers, but she did not smile
a look OF something like apprehension came
over the fair face.
~ hope Pauline will like them" she said,
gently.
"She cannot fail to do so,'' remarked Sir
Oswald, with some little hduteuT. Il will
tell her that you want to speak to her"
He went over to the deep recess OF the
large window, where Pauline sat reading.
He had felt very sure that she would be flat
tered by the rich and splendid gift. There
had been some little pride, and some little
pomp In his name as he went in search OF
her, but il seemed TO die away as lie looked
at her face. That was not the face OF \ girl
who could be tempted, pleased, or coaXed
with jewels. ~lnscnstbly his manner chang
ed.
Pauline" he said, gently, LADY Darrell
wishes to speak to you"
There was evidently a struggle in her mind
as to whether she should comply or rot, and
then she rose and without q word walked up
10 the little group.
What do you require, Lady Darrell"' she
asked; and Miss Hastings looked up at her
with quick apprehension.
The fair face ol Lady Darrell looked more
troubled than pleased. Sir Oswald stood by,
n little moro stately and proud than usual
proud of his niece, proud Of his wife, and
pleased with himself.
II have brought you a little present, Pau
line, from Paris" said Lady Darrell. 81
hope it will give you pleasure"
You were kind to remember me" obsery-
ed Pauline.
Sir Oswald thought the acknowledgment
far too cool and calm.
They are the finest rubies | have seen,
Pauline; they are superb stones"
He held them SO that the light cleaned in
them until they shone like lre. The proud,
dark eyes glanced inditfercntly at them.
what have you TO say to Lady Darrell,
Pauline?' asked Sir Oswald, growing angry
at her silence.
The girls beautiful lips curled.
Lady Darrell was good TO think of me-"
she said, Coldly; "and the jewels are very
fine; but they are not suitable for me-"
Her words, simple as they were, fell like a
thunderclOud upon the little group.
And pray why not?' asked Sir Oswald,
angrily.
"Your knowledge Of the world is greater
than mine, and will tell you better than
can" she replied, calmly. "Ihree months
since they would have been a suitable pres
ent to one in the position | held then; now
they are quite out OF place, and ! decline
them"
"You decline themr' exclaimed Lady Oar
rell, hardly believing that it was in human
nature to refuse such jewels.
Pauline smiled calmly, repeated the words,
and walked away.
Sir Oswald, with an angry murmur, re-
placed the jewels in the case and set it aside,
''She has the Darrell spirit" lie said 10 his
wife, with an awkward smile; and she de-
voutly hoped that her husband would not
often exhibit the same.