Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-04-23
md at other times he hated her with some.

domestic atmosphere at Darrell Court had In
1t no sunshine; it was rather the brooding,
sullen calm that comes before a storm.
The day came when the Court was invad-
ed by an army Of workmen, when a suite or
rooms was fitted up in the most superb style.
and people began to talk OF the coming
change. Pauline Darrell kept SO entirely
aloot from all gossip, from all friends and
visitors, that she was the last to hear on
whom Sir Oswald's choice had fallen. But
one day the baronet gave a dinner-party at
which the ladies Of the house We're present,
and there was no installing the illusions
made.
Pauline Darrell's face grew dark as she
listened. So, then, the threat was to be car
ried out, and the grand old place that she
had learned to love with the deepest love or
her heart was never to be hers! She gave no
sigh; the proud face was very pale, and the
dark eyes had in them a scornful CLEAN, but
no word passed her lips.
Sir Oswald was radiant, he had never been
seen in such high spirits; his friends had con-
graduated him, every one seemed to approve
so highly Of his resolution; q fair and gentle
wife was ready for hlm-one so fair and gen.
tie that it seemed to the old man as though
the lost love of his youth had returned to
him. Who remembered the bitter, gnawing
disappointment of the girl who had cared so
little about making herself friendsp
The baronet was so delighted, and every
thing seemed so bright and smiling, that he
resolved upon an act Of unusual generosity.
His guests went away early, and he retired to
the library for a few minutes. The captain
followed the ladies to the drawing-room, and,
while pretending to read, sat watching Pau
lines face, and wondering how he was to
pay his debts.
To ask for the loan of fifteen hundred
pounds would be to expose his affairs to Sir
Oswald. He must confess then that he had
gambled on the turf and at play. II once the
stately old baronet even suspected such a
thing, there was no further hope of q legacy
the captain was quite sure of that. His
anxiety was terrible, and II was all occasion
ed by that proud, willful girl whose beauti-
full face was turned resolutely from him.
Sir Oswald entered the room with a smile
on his face, and, going up to Aubrey Lang
ton, slipped a folded paper into his hands.
Not a word Of thanks" lie said; "if you
thank me, | shall be offended"
And Aubrey, opening the paper, found
that it was a check for five hundred pounds.
Il know what life in London costs" said
DH oSNdIus dllu SOu dIt lily lIltllu y SOH.
Five hundred pounds! He was compelled
to look exceedingly grateful, but it was diff
cult. The gift was very welcome, but there
was this great drawback attending lit was
not half sufficient to relieve him from his
embarrassments, and it would quite prevent
his asking Sir Oswald for q loan. lie sighed
deeply in his dire perpleXity.
Still smiling, the baronet went to the table
xylarn Dn,,Ii,,n n,l Me. I1,gtiA-, ,l H.
stood for some minutes looking at them.
II must not let you hear the news of my
good fortune from strangers" he said ut is
only due to you that l should inform you
that in one month from to-day ! hope to have
the honor and happiness Of making Miss Eli
nor Eocheford my wife,"
Miss Hastings in a few cautious words
wished him JOY; Pauline's white lips opened,
but no sound escaped them. Sir Oswald re-
manned for some minutes talking TO Miss
Hastings, and then he crossed the room and
rang the bell.
pauline, my dearest childI' whispered
the anxious goyerness.
Miss Darrell looked at her with a terrible
smile.
ut would have been better for her." she
said, slowly, that she had never been born"
"Pauline!' cried the gOverness. But she
said no more.
A footman entered the room, to whom Sir
Oswald spoke.
"GO to my study" he said, land bring me
a black ebony box that you will find locked
in my ~writing-tabic. Here are the keys"
The man returned i'm q few minutes, bear
ing the box in his hands. Sir Oswald took it to
the table where the lamps shone brightly.
Aubrey" he said, twill you come here?
l have a commission for YOU"
Captain Langton followed him to the table,
and some remark about the fashion of the
box drew the attention of all present to II.
Sir Oswald raised the lid, and produced q
diamond ring.
You are going over TO Audleigh Royal to-
morrow, Aubrey" he said; twill you leave
this with Stamford, the jeweler? 1 have
chosen a new setting for the stone. l wish
to present it to Miss Hastings as q mark OF
my deep gratitude to her."
Miss Hastings looked up in grateful won
der. Sir Oswald went on talking about the
contents of the ebony box. He showed them
many quaint treasures that it contained
among other things he took out q roll of
bank-notes.
THAT is not q very safe method of keep
ing money, Sir Oswald" said Miss Hastings.
mo, you are right" he agreed. ''Simp.
sons clerk paid it to me the other day; l was
busy, and l put it there until / had time to
take the numbers of the notes"
ID you keep notes without preserving o
memorandum of their numbers, Sir OswaldY'
inquired Aubrey Langton. THAT seems tc
me a great risk"
II know it is not prudent; but there is nc
fear. / have lone but honest and faithful
servants about me. l will take the numbers
and send the notes to the bank tomorrow
Yes" said Miss Hastings, quietly, lit is
better to keep temptation from servants"
There is 10 fear" he returned. II al
ways put the box away, and l sleep with my
keys under my pillow"
Sir Oswald gave Captain Langton a few
directions about the diamond, and then the
ladies withdrew.
"Sir Oswald" said Captain Langton, 'le'
me have a cigar with you tonight. l mus
no: thank you, but if you knew how grateful
l feel"
II will put away the box first, and then W.
will have a glass of wine, Aubrey"
The baronet went to his study, and thu
captain to his room; but in a few minute!
they met again, and Sir Oswald ordered
bottle Of his choicest Madeira. They sa
talking for some time, and Sir Oswald tolt
Aubrey all his planS-all that he intended L
do. The young man listened, with envy ant
dissatisfaction burning in his heart. AL
these plans, these hopes, these prospects
might have been his but for that girls crue
caprice.
They talked for more than an hour; and
then Sir Oswald complained Of feeling
sleepy.
"The wine does not seem to have its usual
flavor tonight" he said there is something
prong with this bottle"
II thought the same thing" observed Au,
brey Langton; 'but ! did not like to say so
1 will bid you goodnight, as you are tired. ]
shall ride over to Audleigh ROYAL early In