The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-10
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XII oo!ietHl1S that VIII give lie Inter
est-that will occupy me-that will
stand to me in the place Of happiness
and love"
Il will help you to it if I cam" he
replied.
She looked so fair, standing before
him pleading her Owl cause. She
drew a little nearer to him, as though
her confidence in him were increas-
ing.
"That is what I want you to do for
me. Lord Caraven,' she said. II am
not ignorant in such matters; you
might sheer at me, and say my talent
is hereditary; but you will not do that.
| have some little experience, and |
should improve day by day"
He looked at her, half wondering,
half amused.
What is it. Hildred?' he asked. Il
do not in the least understands
1t is this. I want O to let me be
your steward--I mean, let me have
charge Of your estate. l could do the
duties far better than MI. Blantyre."
Il give him a large salary said Lord
Caraven, half laughing-'he ought to
do them WE'LL
But You have seen for yourself that
he does not she returned; "he is not
a just steward"
NO. was the grave admission, "he
is not just. 1t is that which grieves
me. He has abused my trust. | shall
never believe in him again"
Then let me take his place, she
cried eagerly. Il do not mean in the
mere keeping of accounts-you will
always want some one for that-nor
even in the looking after little details;
but let me be YOU head steward, Lord
Caraven, and the welfare Of your ten
ants and dependents, the we'll being of
your estate, the care of your property,
shall be my one interest in life. I will
be content to work early and late. to
live without pleasure, if you will only
grant my prayer
But you are a lady, Hildred. How
could you find time for it?'
In her eagerness she forgot her re-
serve-she laid her head upon his arm,
and looked into his face.
Il am not a fine lady; l am a law
yer's daughter. 1t may even be that 7
inherit my fathers liking for business.
shall find time, believe me, if you
will give your consent
What would you do, Hildred, sup.
posing | gave my consent?" he asked
'SaN nathan Who + mould WIT lo 7
would reform all abuses. I would make
Ravensmere a model es~tate-people
should point to it as a pattern. l
would make your laborers men; they
are now only s%oulless drudges. l would
pull down those wretched cottages
and build in their places houses such
as even the poor could love. would
educate the children. What a ques-
ton it is you ask me! What would I
not do?'
The earl rose from his chair; he bent
his head with chivalrous grace before
her.
MY wife," he said, you shame me-"
NO. she cried, you must not say
that to me-
Il repeat it-ycu shame me-" he
went on. Yes. 7 give my consent
my free, full. hearty consent. You will
make a better mistress of Ravensmere
than I do a master. You shall be the
queen regnant: l will be your prime
minister. | place and leave all author
ity in your hands, and I promise you
most faithfully that | will never inter-
fere: you shall pull down and build up,
you shall do just as you will, l will
eve interfere.'
She was SO overjoyed with his prom
Uses, with the change in his manner
with the earnestness of his face, that
she forgot all about her restraint and
Indifference. and she kissed the hand
that held her own. She saw her hus-
bands face flush crimson, and she
drew back suddenly.
Il beg your pardon" she said. 81
am very sorry. l did not think of
what I was doing, l was so over
joyed."
He took no notice of the involuntary
caress, nor of the apology, though both
had struck him.
Il am glad that you are pleased. Hill
dred," he said. I'm placing my inter-
ests in your hands l feel that l have
done today the wisest action of my life.
Tomorrow we will send for Blantyre,
and you shall confront him.
She left him then, pleased. happy,
confused, with an overwhelming sense
Of the responsibilities she had assumed
and with something. she could hardly
tell what, stirring in her heart, while
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