Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-03-05

: linen came an interruption IN inc shape Oh
a footman, with Sir Oswald's compliments,
and would the ladies 20 to the drawing
room? There were visitors.
"Who are they?' asked Miss Darrell, abb
ruptly.
The man replied:
"Sir George and Lady Hampton"
II shall not 60" said Pauline, decidedly;
'that woman slckens me with her false airs
and silly, false graces. ] have not patience
to talk to her."
''Sir Oswald viii not be pleased" remon-
strated Miss Hastings.
THAT / cannot help-it is not my fault. /
shall not make myself a %hypOcrite to please
Sir Oswald"
Society has duties which must be dis
charged, and which do not depend upon our
liking; W. must do our duty whether we like
1t or not"
IL detest society," was the abrupt reply
ait is all a sham!'
Then why not do your best to improve it?
That would surely be better than 10 abuse II. "
There is something in that" confessed
Miss Darrell, slowly.
IF we each do our little best toward max
ing the world even ever so little better than
we found it, " said Miss Hastings, I'VE shall
not have lived in vain"
There was a singular grandeur of generosi-
ty about the girl. If she saw that she was
wrong in all argument or an opinion, she adj
mitted ii with the most charming candor.
That admission she made now by rising at
once to accompany Miss Hastings.
The d~rawing-room at Darrell Court was a
magnificent apartment; it had been furnish
ed under the superintendent of the late
Lady Darrell, a lady of exquisite taste. 1t
was all white and gold, the white hangings
with bullion fringe and gold braids, the white
damask with a delicate border Of gold; the
pictures, the costly statues cleaned in the
midst of rich and rare flowers; graceful orna-
ments, tall, slender vases were filled with
choicest blossoms; the large mirrors, with
their golden frames, were each and all per-
feet In their way. There was nothing gaudy,
brilliant, or dazzling; all was subdued, in
perfect good taste and harmony.
In this superb room the beauty of Pauline
Darrell always showed TO great advantage;
she was in perfect keeping with its splendor.
AS she entered now, with her usual half
naughty, halt-listless grace, Sir Oswald look
ed up with admiration plainly expressed on
his face.
"What a queemly mistress she would make
for the Court, if she would but behave like
other people!' he thought to himself, and
then Lady Hampton rose to greet the girl.
my dear Miss Darrell, / was getting quite
impatient, il seems an age since | saw you
really an age"
1T Is an exceeding short one returned
Pauline; II SOW you OH Tuesday, Lady
Hampton"
Did you? All, yes; how could | forget?
All, my dear child, when you reach my age
when your mind is filed with q hundred
different matters-you will not have such a
good memory as you have now"
Lady Hampton was a little, over-dressed
woman. She looked all flowers and furbe-
lowS-all ribbons and laces. She was, how,
ever, a perfect mistress OF all the arts OF pc.
lite society; she knew exactly what to say
and how to say it; she knew when to smile,
when to look sympathetic, when to sigh,
| She vas not sincere; she never made tho
least preteace Of being SO. Society" was
her one idea-how to please it how to win
It's admiration, how to secure a high position
in il.
The contrast between the two was remark.
able-the young girl with her noble face, hel
grand soul looking out OF her clear dark
eyes; Lady Hampton with her artificial
smiles, her shifting %glanCes, and would-be
charming gestures. Sir Oswald stood by
with a cOurtly smile Oh his face.
Il have some charming news for YOU
said Lady Hampton. II am sure you will
be pleased 10 hear Il. Miss Darrell"
That will quite depend on what 1t islike.'
i~nterposod Pauline, honestly.
You dear, droil child! You are 50 origi
nal; you have so much character. | always
tell Sir Oswald you are quite different from
any one else"
And though her ladyship spoke Smilingly
she gave q keen, quiet glance at Sir OSwald'S
face, in all probability to watch the effect OF
her words.
"Ah, WELL" she continued, II suppose thai
in your position a little sinsularity may bt
permitted" and then she paused, with Z
bland smile.
TO what position do you alludcH' asked
Miss Darrell.
Lady Hampton laughed again. She nod
dcd with an air of great penetration.
You are cautious, Miss Darrell. But
am forgetting my news. 1t is this--that my
niece, Miss Elinor Rockford, is coming t
visit me-"
She waited evidently for Miss Darrell t(
make some complimentary reply. Not
word came from the proud lips.
And when she comes | hope, Miss Oar
rell, that you and she will be great friends
1T is rather probable, if like her." wa.
the frank reply.
Sir Oswald looked Mortified. Lady Hamp
ton smiled still more sweetly.
You are sure to like her. ElinOr is mos
dearly loved wherever she goes
rs she a sweet creature" asked Pauline
with such inimitable mimicry that Miss Hast
ings s~huddered, while Sir Oswald turned
pale.
"She is indeed replied Lady Hampton
who, if she understood the sarcasm, made IL
sign. with Sir Oswald's permission,
shall bring her to spend a long day with you
Miss Darrell"
Il shall be charmed" said Sir Oswald
''really delighted, Lady Hampton. You d,
me great honor indeed"
He looked at his niece for some little con
iirmation of his words, but that young lad.
appeared too naughty for speech; the wor'
'hOnor" seemed to her strangely miSapplicd
Lady Hampton relaxed none OF her gTa
ciouSneSS; her bland Suavity continued tn
same until the end of the visit; and then, i
some way, she cOntrived to make Miss Has
ings understand that she wanted TO spea
with her. She asked the g%oyerness if sh
would go with her to the carriage, as sh
wished to consult her about some music
When they were alone, her air and name
changed abruptly. She turned eagerly t
her, her eyes full of sharp, keen curiosity.
Can you tell me one thing?' she asked
as Sir Oswald going to make that proud
stupid, ~iliterate gir! his heiress-mistress @
Darrell Court?"
81 do not know" replied Miss Hastings