Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-11-10

tired out.
But it was not very easy to ear
the bright girl, whose whole being
thrilled with a delicious, expectant ex-
element. and whose young blood
conrsed joyously through her veins
She answered her mothers remon-
STRANGE only with n little happy laugh,
and twined one arm In loving fashion
a ~ooaxing whisper:
Don't be wise to-day, Oracle. dear.
BE happy, as l mean to be!'
Then Ruth ran off. Grace looked
after her with q half-smile, though she
echoed the last sentence a little sadly.
BE happy? Shall l ever be that
again, | wonder?' she queried, doubt
ingly: then paused, abashed nj what
seemed TO her like a weak murmuring
ut fate.
The renewed energy and hope within
her were a personal reproach 10 the
girl-widow's tender conscience, though
they were but the natural outcome or
her youth. She had thought that she
would be content TO pass the remain
der of her life in patient endurance
and tender regret. But, as health and
strength returned she found herself
rejoicing in the sunshine and craving
for the gladness of life.
And to none who looked at her. as
she moved. with the gentle, tranquil
grace that was her chief charm, a
slender, black-robed figure among her
butterfly guests, could that JOY OF long
ing have seemed strange.
Ruth had said truly that the daily
costume of black lace and satin suited
her as no colors could hayeNdone.
Grace's pale golden hair. which waved
softly back from the low brow, the
clear eyes, with their look of childish
trust, the faintly-tinged, pearly skin,
all these gained by contrast with the
somber setting.
How charmingly pretty your daugh-
ter is!m ~LadyCaroline Carlton observed,
gazing through her gold-rimmed glass
eS at tie little group formed by her tail
son and the two girls under a big
beech tree that faced the French win
dow; and Mrs. Leger's heart beat
high with pride and hope as she an.
swered. with affected carelessness:
"Yes-Ruth is rather a pretty girl"
Ruth, is that Mrs. Sankey's nameg'
the great lady asked, with a little lam
gull Interest in her tone.
Mrs. Leger was forced To admit that
she mad spoken of her other daughter.
"Ah-yes! Miss Leger is quite an
other style: but there is a story TO be
read In Mrs. Sankey's face. Perhaps
the fact that II knows of her great
sorrow makes II fanciful: but l
think her expression quite lovely"
Mrs. Leger listened TO the praise OF
her elder daughter with the pleasant
est smile she could assume. 1t was
lattering enough, no doubt, in its way;
but it was not just what she wished
for just then. Why could not her la
dyship see some charm in Ruth, to
whom her friendship and co~untenance
would be valuable, rather than in
trace, 20 whom they were of no inter-
est?
But Lady Caroline was not a person
likely to be dictated to iii her capri
cious fancies, as Mrs. Leger soon found
out. She was a small, misunderstanding
woman. whose excessive fragility of
appearance yelled Il very resGlute will,
and was possessed of an odd mlngling
of shrewd worldliness and romantic
sentiment. Mrs. Leger would have
been surprised had she known how
much the Inter clement had had to do
with her visit to River View that day.
Il wished SO much for Il little talk
with you, Mrs. Santley.' the great lady
said, n little later on, when, in her
quietly-resolute fashion, she had con-
trived to secure Grace for Il tete-a-
tete. II have heard so much about
You that you seem quite like an old
friend"
You have heard about mey' Grace
echoed, opening her blue eyes In sur
prise. and looking. as her ladyship
thought, delightfully."- -innocent and pref
ty. From whom, Lady Gardiner"
From 4 very old friend of yours and
mlne-a friend Of my son, who hopes
TO renew his acquaintance with you to-
day"
The speaker never moved her sharp,
bright eyes from the girls puzzled
face. She was aware all the time that
two tall figures were crossing the
lawn and coming towards them with
rapid steps. and knew, with a little
thrill of pleasure, that she was taking
"a modest part in a drama of love and
surprise.
The steps drew nearer and nearer: n
shadow fell across the small, sunlit
spot: Grace raised her eyes and saw
something that made her heart almost
stop beating. and drove all the color
from her face.
"Ah, Vincent, here you are at last.''
Lady Caroline said, cordially. Mrs.
Santley, l need not apologize for bring
ing an unlimited friend. nor Is ii neces-
sary that | should Introduce you to
Mr.. Vincent Erie
II am sure you will understand that
Ii was not my fault and Vincent Erie
spoke coldly and stitiiy. II did not
even know that you We're here, or that
II was your mothers house. / reached
the Cartons place to-day, and Lady
Caroline asked me to accompany her
here, little thinking how unwelcome a
guest she brought"
His face was rigldly calm, but his
dark eyes flashed angrIly, and his
voice trembled a little over the Inst
words.
Grace did not reply. The others had
all drifted away In some mysterious