Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-05-21
CHAPTER INK.
FATE FANORS PAULINE,

Autumn, with lis golden grain, its rich
fruits, and its luXuriant foliage, had come
and gone; then Christmas snow lay soft and
white on the ground; and still Captain Lang.
ton had not paid his promised visit to Darrell
Court. lie sent numerous cards, letters,
books, and music, but he did not appear him.
self. Once more the spring flowers bloomed;
Sir Oswald had been lying for twelve months
in the cold, silent family vault. With the
year Of mourning the last of Lady DaTrell's
gracefully expressed sorrow vanished-the
last vestigc of gray and lavender, OF Jet beads
and black trimmings, disappeared from heI
dresses; and then She Shone forth upon the
world In all the grace and delicate loneliness
of her fair young beauty.
Who could number her lovers or count her
admirers? Old and young, peer and com,
m0ner, there was not one who would not
have given anything he had on earth to win
the hand of the beautiful and wealthy young
widow.
Lady Hampton favored the suit of Lord
Aynsley, one Of the wealthicSt peers in En-
gland. lie had met Lady Darrell while ON q
visit at the Elms, and was charmed with her.
So young, fair, gifted, accomplished, so per
feet q mistress Of every art and grace, YET SO
good and amiable--l.Or d Aynsley thought
that he had never met with so perfect a wo'
man before.
Lady Hampton was delighted.
~ think, Elinor," she said, that you are II
of the most fortunate of women. You have
a chance now of making a second and most
brilliant marriage. | think you must have
been born under n lucky star"
Lady Darrell laughed her soft, graceful
little laugh.
90 tIsn1v .,,n4., - .l, ,t,u,,n A,l,,N a., I
married the first time to p'easc you, | may
marry low to please myself and my own
heart"
Certainly" said her ladyship, obviously;
"but remember what have always told you
sentiment Is the ruin Of everything"
And, as Lady Hampton spoke, there came
before her the handsome face of Aubrey
Langton. She prayed mentally that he
might not appear again at Darrell until Lord
Aynsley had proposed and had been ac-
| ccptcd.
But Fate was not kind to her.
The next morning Lady Darrell received a
letter from the captain, saying that, as the
summer was drawing near, he should be very
glad to pay his Compromised visit to Darrell
Court. He hoped to be with them on Thurs
day evening.
Lady DaTrells fair face flushed as she
read. He was coming, then, this man who
above all others had taken her fancy captive
this man whom, with all her worldly schem-
ing, she would have married without money
If he had but asked her. He was coming,
and he would see her in all the glory Of her
prosperity. lie would be almost sure to fall
in love with her; and she-well, it was not
the first time that she whispered to her w
heart, how gladly she would love him. She
was too excited by her pleasant news to be
quite prudent. She must have n conlidant-
she must tell some one that he was coming.
She went to the study, where Miss Hast
ings and Pauline were busily engaged with
some watcr-colors. Sine held the open letter
in her hand.
Miss Hastings, / have news for you," she
said. IL know that all that interested Sir
Oswald is full of interest for you. Pauline,
you too will be pleased TO hear that Captain
Langton is coming. Sir Oswald loved him
very much"
Pauline knew that, and had cause TO regret
ii.
81 should be much pleased" continued
Lady Darrell, "if, without interfering with
your arrangements, you could help me to en-
terrain him."
Miss Hastings looked up with a smile OF
assent.
Anything that lies in my power" she
said, IL shall be only too happy to do; but ]
fear | shall be rather at a loss how TO amuSe
a handsome young officer like Captain Lang
ton"
Lady Darrell laughed, but looked much
pleased.
"You are right" she said-'1he is hand
some. | do not know that / have ever seen
one more handsome
Then she stopped abruptly, for she caught
the CLEAN of Pauline's s~cornful smiIe--the
dark eyes were looking straightat her. Lady
Darrell blushed crimson, and the smile on
Pauline's lips deepened.
Il see my way now" she said to herself.
''Time, fate, and opportunity will combine
at last"
And you, Pauline" inquired Lady Oar
rell in her most caressing manner-''you will
help me with my vlsitor-will you not%'
Pardon me, | must Decline" answered
Miss Darrell.
"Why, l thought Captain Langton and
yourself were great friendsr' cried Lady
Darrell.
II am not answerable for your thoughts,
Lady Darrell" said Pauline.
"But you-you sing so beautifully! Oh,
Pauline, you must help mep' persisted Lady
| Darrell.
She drew nearer to the girl, and was about
TO lay one white jeweled hand on her arm,
but Pauline drew back with a naughty gest-
ure that was no installing.
pray understand me, Lady Darrell" she
said-"all arts and persuasions are, as YOU
know, lost on me, decline 10 do anything