La Junta tribune., 1898-06-18

he does not." she returned: ''he is mo-
q Just steward"
NO" was the grave admission. n,
is not just 1t is that which gr.eves
me. He has abused my trust. shall
never believe in him again"
Then let me take his place. sh<
cried eagerly. Il do not mean in the
mere keeping CT accounts-you will
always want some one for ;hat--nor
even in the looking after little dc lis:
but let me be your head steward, Lord
Caraven. and the welfare Of your ten.
ants and dependents. the well-being OF
your estate, the care of your property
shall be my one interest in life. ! 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 fine lady; l am law
yer's daughter. 1t may even be that I
inherit my fathers liking for business
l shall find time. believe me. II you
will give your consent"
What would you do. Hildred. sup
posing l gave my CONSENT" he asked.
Say rather what would l not do. J
would reform all abuses. would make
Ravensmere a model estate-people
should point to 1t as a pattern. /
would make your laborers men: they
are now only soulless drudges. would
pull down those wretched cottages
where squalor and disease run riot
and build in their places houses such
as even the poor could love. ! woula
educate the children. What a ques
ton it is you ask me! What would !
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 sa,
that to me-"
Il repeat it-you shame me-" he
went on. Yes. give my consent
my free. full. hearty consent. You will
make better mistress of Ravensmere
queen regnant: / will be your prime
minister. place and leave all author
ity in your hands, and promise you
most faithfully that will never inter-
fere; you shall pull down and build up
you shall do Just as you will. will
never interfere"
She was SO overjoyed with his prom
ises, 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.
II beg your pardon" she said. 81
am very sorry. l did not think o!
what l was doing, 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 ! feel that 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 sens
Of the responsibilities she had assumed
and with something, she could hardly
tell what. stirring in her heart, while
Lord Caraven looked in amazement al
the hand she had kissed. He wondered
II he should ever understand her: and
he began dimly to perceive that in the
money lenders daughter he had found
a noble. high-souled. glorious woman.
Then he smiled to himself. thinking
that in these strange days It was i'm
possible to understand anything. and
that it was within the bounds of pos
sibility that Hildred inherited her faith
er's talents for business.
And an excellent thing It will be
for me-" he said. "If she has,
Ito be Continuedl