Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-05-28
OWES VICTORY
BY BERTHA M. CLAY.
xxx.

retirement, she considered, were "a very
handsome acknowledgment Of all her hus-
bands love and kindness. She was in a
state of serene and perfect self-c0ntent--
everything had gone well with her. Peop.e
had expressed their admiration of her devo-
ton to his memory. She knew that in the
eyes OF the world she was esteemed fault
less. And now it seemed 10 Lady Darrell
that the time was come in which she might
really enjoy herself, and reap the reward OF
her sacrifice.
The armed neutrality" between Pauline
and herself still continued. Each went her
own way-their interests never clashej.
Lady Darrell rather preferred that Pauline
should remain at the Court. She had a vague
kind of fear of her, Il vague dread that made
her feel safer where Pauline was, and where
she could know something of her. Whole
days would pass without their meeting: but,
now that there was TO be q little more gayety
nj Darrell Court, the two must expect 10 be
brought into daily communication.
Lady Darrell was an amiable woman. II
was true she had n small soul. capable of
maintaining ideas only. She would have
liked TO be what she called comfortable"
with Pauline-tO live on siSterly terms with
her-to spend long hours in discussing dress,
ornaments, fashionable gossip-to feel that
there was always some one at hand to listen
to her and TO amuse her. She, in her turn,
would have been most generous. She would
have made ample presents of dresses and
jewels TO such Il friend: she would have
studied her comfort and interests. But to
expect or TO hope for "A companion of that
kind in Pauline was as though some humble
little woOd-blossom could hope to train itself
round a grand, stately, sad passion-nowcr.
Lady barrels worldly knowledge and
hct were almost perfect; yet they could new
cr reveal 10 her the depths of anoble nature
like Paulinc's. She could sooner have sound
ed the depths of the Atlantic than the grand
deep Of that young girls heart and soul they
would always be dead letters To hcr-mys-
ferries she could not solve. One morning the
impulse was strong upon her to seek Pauline,
to hold n friendly conversation with her as
to half mourning: but when she reached the
door of the study her courage gave way, and
she turned abruptly, feeling rather than
knowing why, the discussion of dress and
mere personal appearance must prove dis
tasteful To Miss Darrell.
Little by little Lady Darrell began TO take
her place in the grand world; she WAS too
49, ''''' ''' ~ wv ~ Ai ~ 'li'Ns Nv w
grccs Were almost i"mperceptiblc; even Lady
Hampton, one of the most faStidious Of crit
les, wa obliged to own TO hcrsclf that her
niece'S conduct was highly creditable. The
gradations in Lady DarIclrs spirits were as
carefully regulated as tie gradationS of color
in her dress; with deep lavender and black
ribbons she was mildly sorrowful, the lighter
grew the lavender the lighter grew her heart.
lA tl,, E,Ag .l,,4 IA. ,,s,,a. q, f1,. ,n,, l. l,.n-
cadc she laughed outright, and the sound of
that laugh was the knell of all mourning.
Visitors began to arrive at Darrell Court,
but Lady Darrell still exercised great re-
straint oven herself. Her invitations were at
first confined to matronS Of mature age. she
did not feel equal 10 the society of gentlemen
yet"
There was n grand chorus of admiration
for the nice feeling Lady Darrell displayed.
Then elderly gentlcmen-husbandS OF the
matrons-wcre admitted; and, after a time,
'braw wOoers began to appear at the hail."
aud then Lady Darrell; reign began in real
earnest.
From these admiring matrOns, enthusiastic
gentlemen, ardent lovers, and ilattering
friends Pauline stood alOof. How she de-
Spised the whole of them was to be gathered
blll llOIll lltl lott' Sllt llchfl tAllt>StN IL
in words. She did not assoc. ate with them,
and they repaid her behavior by the most
hearty dislike.
1t was another proof of dear Lady Oar
rell'S sweet temper" that she could live in
peace with this naughty, abrupt, willful girl.
No one guessed that the band, suave, grace
lul mistress of Darrell Court stood in Of
the girl who had been disinherited to make
way for her.
Pauline" said Miss Hastings, one day,
IL want you to accustOm yourself to the idea
of leaving Darrell Court; for ! do not think
there is any doubt but that sooner or later
Lady Darrell Will marry again."
IL expect it, she returned. Poor Sir Os-
wald! HIS home will go to strangers, his
name be extinct. How little he foresaw this
when he malricd!'
"Lct it take place when it may, the Court
can be 10 home for you then" continued
Miss Hastings.
Pauline raised her hand with a warning
gesture.
"Do not say another word, Miss Hastings:
i caRnot listen. just as criminals were fast
ened to the rack, bound to the wheel, tied to
the stake, | am bound hcre-awaiting my re-
ycnge!"
sob, Pauline, If you would but forego such
strange speech! This longing for vengeance
is in your heart like a deadly canker in a fair
flower. 1t will end badly"
The beautiful face with It's defiant light
was turned toward her.
ado not attempt to dissuadc me-" she said.
"Your warning is useless, and | do not like
to grieve you. | acquainted Lady Darrell
with my determination before She married
my uncle for his money. She persisted in
doing ii. Let her take the consequences
bear the penalty. If she had acted a true
womanly part-if she had refused him, as
she ought to have dOne-he would have had
time for reflection, he would not have disin-
herited Lie III his anger, and Darrell Court
would have descended to a Darrell, as it
ought TO have done"
'lf you could but forget the past, Pau
line!'
IL cannOt-it is part of my life now. / saw
two lives before me once-the one made
noble, grand, and gracious by this inheri-
lance, which | should have known so well
how to hold; the other darkened by disap.
pointment and Swallowed by revenge. You
know how some men wait for the fair frui.
ton Of q fair hope-for the dawn of SUCCESS
for the sunshine of perfect prosperity SO dc
i wait for my revenge. We barrels never
do things by halves; We are not even moder-
ate. My heart, my soul, my life-which
might have been, | grant, filed with high
impulses-are concentrated on revenge"
Though the words she spoke were so terri
BILE, so bitter, there was no mean, vindictiye,
or malign expression on that beautiful face;
rather was it bright with a strange light.
Mistaken though the idea might be, Pauline
evidently deemed herself one chosen to adj
minister Justice.
Miss Hastings looked at her.
but, Pauline" she said, gravely, 'who
made you Lady Darrell's judge?'
Myself" she replied. Miss Hastings,
you often speak of justice; let me ask, was
this matter fair? My uncle was irritated
against me because / would not marry a man