Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-04-23

domestic atmosphere at Darrell Court had In
1t no sunshine; ii 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 OF
rooms was fitted up In the most superb style,
and people began to talk OF the coming
change. Pauline Darrell kept so entirely
aloof 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 were present,
and there was no mistaking the illusions
made.
Pauline DarTells 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 10 love with the deepest love Of
her heart was never to be hersl She gave no
sigh; the proud face was very pale, and the
dark eyes had In them a scorntul CLEAN, but
10 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 10 approve
SO highly OF his resolution; a fair and gentle
wife was ready for hlm-one SO fair and gen.
tie that 1t 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 friends?
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 10 read. sat watching Pau
lines face, and wondering how be 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 aud at play. II once the
stately old baronet even suspected such q
thing, there was no further hope Of a 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 10 Aubrey Lang
ton, slipped a folded paper into his hands.
Not a word Of thanks" he said; '1f you
thank me, l shall be offended"
And Aubrey, opening the paper, found
that ii was a check for five hundred pounds.
Il hlON Nidb ia III LSpuhbn NDHtHs odlu
Sir Oswald; "and you are my friends son."
Five hundred pounds! He was compelled
to look exceedingly grateful, but II was diff
cult. The gift was very welcome, but there
was this great drawback attending TIT was
not half sufficient 10 relieve him from his
embarrassments, and II would quite prevent
his asking Sir Oswald for a loan. He sighed
deeply in his dire perplexity.
Still smiling, the baronet went to the table
where Pauline and Miss Hastings sat. He
stood for some minutes looking at them.
IL must not let you hear the news of my
good fortune from strangers" he said; "it Is
only due TO you that | 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 childl' whispered
the anxious g~oyerneSs.
Miss Darrell looked at her with a terrible
smile.
1T would have been better for her." she
said, slowly. that she had never been born"
Pauline? y cried the goyerness. But she
said no more.
A foOtman entered the room, to whom Sir
Oswald spoke.
'Go 10 my study" he said, and bring me
a black ebony box that you will find locked
in my writing-tabic. Here are the keys"
The man returned in a 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 10 il.
Sir Oswald raised the lid, and produced a
diamond ring.
You are going over TO Audleigh Royal to-
morrow, Aubrey" he said; will you leave
this with Stamford, the jeweler? / have
chuSen a Iaw setting for the stone. l wish
to present il TO Miss Hastings as a 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 a 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; / was
busy, and / put it there until I had time to
take the numbers Of the notes"
do you keep notes without preserving o
memorandum Of their numbers, Sir 0swaldT'
inquired Aubrey Langton. THAT seems to
me a great risk"
II know it is not prudent; but there is nc
fear. i have none 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 no fear" he returned. II al.
ways put the box away, and / 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, '.lei
me have a cigar with you tonight. l must
no: thank you, but II you knew how grateful
1 feel"
~ will put away the box first, and then we
will have a glass OF wine, Aubrey"
81 paAohtt NNhh W hAS oluhl, duu Tic
captain to his room; but in a few minutes
they met again, and Sir Oswald ordered a
bottle OF his choicest Madeira. They sat
talking for some time, and Sir Oswald told
Aubrey all his plans-all that he intended TO
do. The young man listened, with envy and
dissatisfaction burning in his heart. All
these plans, these hopes, these prospects,
might have been his but for that girls cruei
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
favor tonight" he said there is something
prong with this bottle"
II thought the same thing" observed Au-
brey Langton; "but l did not like to say so.
/ will bid you goodnight. as you are tired. ]
shall ride over 10 Audleigh Royal early In
the morning, so may not be here for break
fast"
They shook hands and parted, Sir Oswald
murmuring something about his Madeira,