The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-04-16

40A Au0 " Alu INV " w ~
Darrell was ever q cowari.SI will not be
coerced. Even II 4 liked you, Captain Lang
ton, / would not marry you after that
threat
He was growing desperate now. ureat
drops stood on his, brow-his lips were so hot
and tremulons that he could hardly move
them. WI
'Be reasonable, Pauline. Sir Oswald
meant what he said. He will most certainly
marry, and, whom you see yourself deprived
OF this rich inheritance, You will hate your
folly-hate and detest 1t"
II would not purchase twenty Darrell
Courts at the price of marrying o man lido
not like" she said, proudly.
sYou think 1t an idle threat-it Is not so.
Sir Oswald meant 1t In all truth. Oh, Pau
line, love, riches, position, wealth, honor-al
lie before you; will you willfully reject
them?"
II should consider 1t dishonor to marry for
the sake Of winning Darrell Court, and will
not do II. 1t will be mine without that; and
II not, 1 would rather q thousand times go
without it than pay the price named, and
you may tell Sir Oswald So"
There was no more ri..y-no more tender
ness Iii the beautiful face. It was all aglow
with scorn, lighted with pride, flushed with
contempt. The spell of the sweet moonlight
was broken-the Darrell spirit was aroused
the fiery Darrell pride was all ablaze.
He felt angry enough to leave her ut that
moment and never look upon her again; but
his position was so terrible, and lie had SO
much at stake. He humbled himself again
and again-he enlIIeated her iii such wild
passionate tones as must have touched one
less proud.
II am q desperate man, Pauline" he cried
at last; land l pray you, for Heavens sake
do not drive me to despair"
But no words of his had power to move
her; there was nothing but scorn in the beau
tiful face, nothing but scorn in the willful,
passionate heart.
Sir Oswald should have known better
than to use threats to q DARRELL" she said,
with a fash of her dark eyes; aud not the
least impression could Aubrey Langton
make upon her.
He was silent at last in sheer despair. 1t
wa all over; he had no E.ore hope. Life
had never held such q brilliant chance for
any man, and nov it was utterly lost. In
stead Of wealth, luxury, happiness, there was
nothing before him but disgrace. He could
almost have cursed her rs she stood there In
the moonlight before him. A deep groan,
one of utter, uncomfortable anguish escaped
his lips. She went nearer to him and started
back in wonder at the white, settled despair
on his face.
Captain Langton," she said, quietly, II
am sorry-l am sorry-I am indeed sorry
that you feel this SO keenly. Let ms COM
fort YOU"
He appealed to her again more passionate.
ly than ever, but she interrupted him.
uVnu mia$o ka mo - che 80 "a . 81 ,,o, rr;oy.
ed to see you suffer, but l have no thought of
altering my mind. Let ma tell you, once
and for all, would rather die than marry
you, because I have neither liking nor re-
spect for you; but your sorrow l cannot but
feel for"
"You have ruined me-" he said, bitterly,
-and the curse OF a broken hearted man will
rest upon you"
II do not think the Darrclls are much
frightened at curses she retorted; and then,
in all the magniicence of her shining gems
and %golden-hued dress, she swept from the
spot. z
Yes, he was ruined, desperate. Half an
hour since, entering that conservatory, he
had wondered whether he should leave 1t a
happy prosperous man. He knew now that
there was nothing but blank, awful despair,
uAA 0AaN AlAitC EDCAOlC I'LL. Tx lluu lUSl
her, too, and love and hate fought tiercely In
his heart. He buried his face in his hands
and sobbed alot,d.
A ruined mani Was ever so splendid a
chance lost? 1t drove him mad to think of
It'll All was due to the willful caprice of a
willful girl.
Then he remembered that time was pass
Ing, and that he must tell Sir Oswald that he
had failed-utterly, ANONYMOUSLY failed.
He went back to the ballroom and saw tho
baronet standing in the center of a group of
gentlemen. He looked anxiously. at the CAP
tain, and at his approach tho little group fell
back, leaving them alone.
What news, Aubrey" asked Sir Oswald.
1.-THE worst that l can possibly bring. She
would not even hear of it"
And you think there is no hope either
now or at any future timeY'
II am, unfortunately, sure of II. She told
me In plain words that she would rather die
than marry me, and she laughed at your
threats"
Sir Oswald's face flushed; he turned away
haughtily.
THE consequence be on her own head!D
he said as he moved away. II shall make
Elinor Rochefofd an offer tonight he add
ed to himself.
The captain was in no mood for dancing;
tho music and light had lost all their charms.
The strains Of q beautiful German waltz fill
"a the BALLROOM. Looking round, he saw
Pauline Darrell, III all the sheen Of her Jewels
n the splendor Of her k6lden-hucd dress,
Walt1ing with Lord Lelrinfer. Her beauti-
ful face was radiant; she had evidently for
gotten all about him and the threat that was
to disinherit hef.
sly Oswald saw her too as he was search
Ing fof Einof-sawh her radiant, triumphant
and queenly-and ALMOST hated her for the
grand dover OF loycllness that would never
now enhance the grandeur Of the Darrells.
ae found Elinor Roeloford with Lady
Hampton. She had been hoping that the
captain would ask her to dance again. She
looked toward him with q faint smile, but
was recalled to order by o gesture rrom Lady
Hampton.
Sir Oswald, with a low bow, asked If Miss
kochcford would like o promenade through
the rooms. She would fain have said NO.
but one look from her aunt was sufficient.
She rose in her quiet, graceful way, and ac-
companied him.
They walked to what was called the white
drawlpg-room, and there, standing before q
magnificent Murillo, the gem of the Darrell
collection, Sir Oswald Darrell, made Ellnor
ROCKFORD a quiet offer of his hand and fort
une.
Just as quietly she accepted it; there was
no blushinE, no trembling, no shrinking. He
asked her TO be Lady Darrell, and she con
sented. There was very little SAID Of love,
although his wooing was chivalrous and de-
ferential. He had secured his object-won
a fair young wife for himself, and punished
the proud, defiant, willful girl who lad
laughed at his threats. After some little time
ne led his fair companion back to Lady
Hampton.
Miss Rocheford has done me very great
honor he said; ''she has consented to be my
wife. ! will give myself the pleasure Of
waiting upon you tomorrow, Lady Hamp-
ton, when l shall venture 10 ask for a happy
and speedy conclusion TO my suit"
Lady Hampton, with agentle movement
Of her fan, intended to express emotion, muir
INJURED . few words, and the Interview was
ended.
II congratulate you, Elinor," she said.
you have secured a splendid . osltion; no
girl In England could have done better y