Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-04-23
LOVES VICTORY
BY BERTHA M. CLAY.

"And You Think he said, his face pale
with passion, that you may do as you like
that your contempt for all proper laws, your
willful caprice, your uncomfortable pride, are
to rule every one? You are mistaken, Miss
Darrell. III you had consented to marry Au-
brey Langton, | would have made you my
heiress, because / should have known that
you were in safe hands, under proper guild
ance; as 1t is-as you have refused in every
instance 10 obey me, as you have persisted
In ignoring every wish of mine-it is time we
came to a proper understanding. l beg to
announce to you the fact that | am engaged
to be ma%rried-that l have offered my hand
and heart to q lady who is as gentle as you
are the reverse"
A dread silence followed the words; Pau
line bore the blow like a true Darrell, never
flinching, never showing the least dismay.
After a time she raised her dark, proud eyes
to his face.
IF your marriage is for your happiness, l
wish you JOY" she said, simply.
There is no doubt but that il will add
greatly to my happiness" he put in, shortly.
'At the same time," resumed Pauline, Al
must tell you frankly that l do not think you
have used me well. You told me when l
came here that l was to be heiress of Darrell
Court. ] have grown to love II, l have shap-
ed my life In accordance with what you said
to me, and l do not think it is fair that you
should change your intentions"
"You have persistently defed me-" return
ed the baronet; ''you have preferred your
least caprice to my wish; and now you must
reap your reward. Had you been dutiful,
obedient, submissive, you might have made
yourself very dear to me. Pray, listen" He
raised his fine white hand with a gesture that
demanded silence. my marriage need not
make any difference as regards your resi-.
dence here. AS you say, you are a Darrell,
and my niece, so your home is here; and,
unless you make yourself intolerable, you
shall always have q home suitable to your
position. But, as / can never hope that you
will prove an agreeable companion to the lady
who honors me by becoming my wife, /
should be grateful to Miss Hastings il she
would remain with you."
Miss Hastings bowed her head; she was
too deeply grieved for words.
1T Is my wish that you retain your present
'lite of rooms" continued Sir Oswald; 'and
Lady Darrell, when she comes, will, | am
sure, try to make everything pleasant fol
you. l have no more to say. AS for express.
ing any regret for the part you have acted
toward my young friend, Aubrey Langton,
it is useless-we will let the matter drop"
All the Darrell pride and passion had been
slowly gathering in Pauline's heart; a tor.
rent of burning words rose to her lips.
IF you wish to marry, Sir Oswald" she
said, you have a perfect right to do so-no
one can gainsay that, but | say you have
acted neither Justly nor fairly TO me. AS for
the stranger rJu would bring to rule over
me, l shall hate her, and l will be ~revenged
on her. | shall tell her that she is taking my
place; i shall speak my mind openly to her;
and, If she chooses to marry you, to help
you to punish me, she shall take the conse-
quences."
Sir Oswald laughed.
Il might be alarmed by such a melodra-
matte outburst," he said, "but that | know
you are quite powerless;" and with q pro-
found bow to Miss Hastings, Sir Oswald
quilted the library.
Then Pauline's anger burst forth; she grew
white with rage.
Il have not been fairly used" she cried.
ale told me Darrell Court was to be mine.
My heart has grown to love it; l love it bet
ter than love anything living"
Miss Hastings, like a sensible woman, re-
Trained from saying anything on the subject
from reminding her that she had been
warned time after time, and had only laugh
ed at the warning. She tried to offer some
soothing words, but the girl would not listen
TO them. Her heart and soul were in angry
revolt.
Il might have been a useful woman" she
said, suddenly, 'if l had had this chance in
life; | might have been happy myself, and
have E;sde others happy. AS it is, l swear
that will live only for vengeance"
She raised her beautiful white arm and
jeweled hand.
Listen to me-" she said; II will live for
vengeance-not on Sir 0swald-if he chooses
to marry, let him-but l will first warn the
woman he marries, and then, If she likes to
come here as Lady Darrell, despite my warn
ing, let her. | will take such vengeance on
her as suits a D~arrell-nothing commonplace
nothing in the way of poisoning-but such
revenge as shall satisfy even me-"
In vain Miss Hastings tried to Soothe her,
to calm her, the torrent Of angry words had
their way.
Then she came over to Miss Hastings, and,
placing her hand on her shoulder, asked:
Tell me, whom do you think Sir Oswald
is going to marTy?"
II cannot imagine-unless it is Miss Roche
ford"
''Elinor Rocheford-that mere child. Let
her beware"